Man threatens to blow up Washington Monument

A man drove a van to the base of the Washington Monument and threatened to blow up the historic structure with 1,000 pounds of dynamite he said was packed in his truck.

Authorities said as many as seven people were trapped in the 555-foot-tall tourist attraction while the man paced back and forth near the van. The vehicle carried a yellow sign reading ''No. 1 priority: ban nuclear weapons.'' The 106 -acre monument park was cordoned off and nearby government offices evacuated, as police tried to talk to the man.