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Pokémon Go: 10 Places Where You Shouldn't Try to Catch 'Em All

If you wouldn't take a selfie there, you shouldn't catch a pokemon either

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In case you’ve missed it, people are going absolutely crazy for the Pokemon Go app. Everywhere you look there are people walking around with their phones out trying to find and catch Pokemon.

Since the game’s release on July 6th, there have been an assortment of pictures and stories ranging from a teenage girl stumbling upon a dead body to Magikarp flopping around inside of a cocktail. We love that the game encourages people to get outside and explore, but there are a few places – in no particular order – where you really shouldn’t be trying to catch pokemon.

1. Hells Angels Headquarters

Pokemon Go players in New Zealand are being led to the headwaters of the infamous biker gang the Hells Angels. It's unlikely any of their members will happily open the doors for people hunting pocket monsters on their phones.  

2. Arlington National Cemetery

There are 400,000 graves across the 624 acres of Arlington National Cemetery with some graves dating back to the Civil War. The cemetery serves as a memorial to those that have served honorably for their country and is no place to catch cartoon monsters.    

3. The 9/11 Memorial Pool at Ground Zero

The reflecting pools at Ground Zero mark the exact location where 2,606 people perished in a horrific attack that happened 15 years ago. Ignore the Pokestops and any pokemon you may see in the area. There is a distinct possibility that a person around you knows someone that died in that tragedy and they probably (correction: definitely) don't care that you caught a Goldeen. 

4. Korean War Veterans Memorial

Southeast of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington is the Korean War Veterans Memorial that includes 19 large statues of men in combat gear who look like they're trudging through rough terrain. This memorial, along with the others dedicated to the lives of heroic Americans, is a place of remembrance and should be treated with respect. 

5. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum 

Washington's Holocaust Museum has been tagged as a Pokestop and people have been opening the game inside of the museum. Seriously, don't do that. This museum, along with all other Holocaust museums across the country, serves as a living memorial to the victims of the atrocities of the Holocaust. 

6. Sultan Ahmed Mosque 

Istanbul's beautiful Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also referred to as the Blue Mosque, is a popular tourist destination and now a Pokestop. We see no problem catching pokemon outside of the mosque, but it's disrespectful to walk inside a place of worship and play a mobile game. 

7. Edinburgh Castle

The Edinburgh Castle dates back to the year 900 and is a significant and beautiful piece of history. If you're going to pay £16.50 to go inside, you shouldn't waste it by spending the entire tour looking down at your phone. 

8. DMZ

The Korean Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, is one of the world's most dangerous borders. Don't try to cross it to find pokemon. Even if there's a Moltres or a Mew. Just don't go over there. 

9. Western Wall

Jerusalem's Western Wall is the holiest place for Jewish people to pray. There have a been a few pokemon spotted along the wall, but out of deference to those worshiping at the site you should avoiding playing the game there. 

10. Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum 

People are finding pokemon inside of Poland's Auschwitz. That means someone decided to open the Pokemon Go app inside of the place where 1.1 million people lost their lives. We can't believe it has to be said, but do not play a mobile game on the grounds of one of the most horrific events in the 20th century.

About Meghan Tankersley

Read more about Meghan Tankersley here.