- Title: Washington, DC says it is ready for Inauguration Day
- Date: 6th January 2017
- Summary: WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES (JANUARY 6, 2017) (REUTERS) WASHINGTON, DC MAYOR MURIEL BOWSER WALKING TO MICROPHONE (SOUNDBITE) (English) WASHINGTON, DC MAYOR MURIEL BOWSER, SAYING: "Of course in Washington, DC we are the capital of the United States of America and the seat of our federal government. And every four years, our government works overtime to keep everyone safe during the peaceful transition of power." BOWSER AND DC HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTOR CHRIS GELDART (SOUNDBITE) (English) DC HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTOR CHRIS GELDART, SAYING: "The District in concert with our park police partners work daily with individuals and groups that come to our nation's capital to express their first amendment rights. Our goal is always to make sure people can come, express their rights peacefully and lawfully, regardless of subject matter and ensure everybody returns home safely at the end of the day." GELDART STEPPING AWAY FROM THE PODIUM
- Embargoed: 21st January 2017 22:33
- Keywords: Inauguration President Trump Washington security
- Location: WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES
- City: WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0015XY2EKN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Anarchist groups have threatened to shut down Republican Donald Trump's swearing-in as U.S. president, but police in Washington said on Friday (January 6) they believe the thousands of security officers assigned to the event will be able to head off any disruption.
Dozens of activist groups plan to protest the Jan. 20 inauguration of the New York real estate developer, whose supporters are counting on him to fulfill a host of controversial campaign promises including building a wall on the Mexican border and deporting millions of illegal immigrants.
Police expect some 900,000 people to flood Washington for the inauguration ceremony, which includes a parade from the U.S. Capitol to the White House along streets thronged with onlookers.
"Every four years, our government works overtime to keep everyone safe during the peaceful transition of power," said Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Protests are planned before, during and after the inauguration, with the biggest event the Women's March on Washington on Jan. 21.
DC Homeland Security Director Chris Geldart added, "Our goal is always to make sure people can come, express their rights peacefully and lawfully, regardless of subject matter and ensure everybody returns home safely at the end of the day."
Also, barriers will be in place to prevent any possible truck attack, such as the attacks in Berlin last month and in Nice, France, in July. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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