USA: U.S. Police and National Guard set security for the 57th Presidential Inauguration

Record ID: 590868

  • Title: USA: U.S. Police and National Guard set security for the 57th Presidential Inauguration
  • Date: 20th January 2013
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES (JANUARY 20, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FENCES AND BARRIERS TRUCK CARRYING STREET TRAFFIC LIGHTS TAKEN DOWN FROM PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE PEOPLE LOOKING AT NEWSPAPER HEADLINES AT "NEWSEUM" MUSEUM (SOUNDBITE) (English) NORTH CAROLINA STUDENT, KAYLA HOBSON, SAYING: "As young as I am and everything, experiencing this right now is awesome, it is amazing to be here with our classmates and everything, just seeing history. Because this is one in a life time, it only comes every four years."
  • Embargoed: 4th February 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Police,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVABPQQAQ4SR9JGM01VOQX2Q4G3Q
  • Story Text: Final preparations for Monday's (January 21) 57th Presidential Inauguration were in full swing on Sunday (January 20), with hundreds of workers rushing to put the final touches on an event that happens once every four years.
    Hundreds of thousands of visitors filled the nation's capital to take part of celebrations marking the historic event. President Barack Obama will take a public oath of office at the U.S. Capitol for his second term on Monday.
    Business was brisk for souvenir shops and street vendors selling inauguration memorabilia.
    Louis White, who arrived with his wife from Virginia Beach, was enjoying the celebratory atmosphere.
    "Absolutely, there is a lot of preparation going on, there is a lot of security, but the thing I like about it most, I think, is that everybody is in a great spirit. You can talk to the Secret Service folks, police officers; we met a gentleman earlier today, and he said it ust so nice to see another happy citizen, so it is an event that bring us all together for a unified purpose. It is a great spirit, it is a great environment," he said.
    Security was tight as local Washington Metropolitan Police, Secret Service, F.B.I., the National Guard and many other security units patrolled the city.
    Hundreds of police officers from across the United States were also sworn in on Sunday to be part of the Inauguration's security forces.
    Although Obama took the official oath for his second term on Sunday in a small, private ceremony at the White House, citizens were looking forward to the public inauguration on Monday.
    "As young as I am and everything, experiencing this right now is awesome, it is amazing to be here with our classmates and everything, just seeing history. Because this is one in a life time, it only comes every four years," said North Carolina student Kayla Hobson, on her first inauguration.
    In his inaugural address, Obama is expected to talk about the need for political compromise where possible, a reminder of the intense battles in his first term that led to paralysis and dysfunction in Washington.
    Audrey Hu, who voted for the first time in the 2012 election was looking forward to the event.
    "I think it is great to see our next president be reelected for the next four years even though the celebration - some people are saying it's not going to be as large, but I think we should still celebrate," she said.
    "It is so great being in DC, and I'm really, really glad that so many people are here and is so cool to be in a place with a million excited enthusiastic people," echoed Sarah Claypoole.
    With the public ceremony falling on the national holiday honoring slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., Obama will also have a chance to draw historic parallels. While taking the oath on Monday, he will place his left hand on two Bibles - one once owned by Abraham Lincoln and the other by King.
    The Obamas will attend two official inaugural balls - compared to the 10 that were held in 2009.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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