Black Lives Matter Plaza, just blocks from the White House, acted as an unofficial gathering spot for those who wanted to be downtown to witness the inauguration.

While video boards were not set up like most inaugurations, NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben reports a couple hundred gathered around speakers that played Biden’s speech during the swearing-in. Tall fencing and concrete barricades prevented revelers from reaching the fence surrounding Lafayette Park, which has become a gallery of protest art.

https://twitter.com/titonka/status/1351939423601098754

One man, who lives nearby, popped champagne.

At #blacklivesmatterplaza, activists play ⁦@NPR⁩ live coverage on a speaker. Heard ⁦@titonka⁩ describe the scene before I spotted her filing from a bench. One man who lives nearby popped champagne and it was stark difference to when crowds poured in here in November pic.twitter.com/FPUY1cpNHf

— Daniella Cheslow (@DaniellaCheslow) January 20, 2021

The crowd is about half media, half people there to witness the moment, says WAMU’s Daniella Cheslow.

Nadine Seiler, of Waldorf, Mayland, prepared a white kite painted with the words “hope lives.”

Seiler, 55, said she and her partner Karen Irwin, 45, had been part of a group taking turns sleeping on the plaza since January 6. She said that as a Trinidadian, she feels proud to see Harris inaugurated as the first person of Jamaican descent to hold the office of vice president.

Seiler said she plans to continue sleeping in the plaza.

“I’m a Black person and Trump put up that fence to stifle the voices of the Black community,” she said. “I’m here until this fence comes down.”

Liane Kufchock of Michigan draped a Biden flag around her shoulders as she celebrated on the plaza. She said she felt hopeful for the first time in four years.

“I feel positive for our country,” she said. “It’s been awhile.”

Sean Leder, 26, who is studying law at George Washington University, opened a bottle of champagne, sprayed it and took a swig.

“It feels good obviously,” He said. “It’s nice. The work is not done. Today’s day one. But it’s a culmination of all our work just to get here.”

“It’s just a good day. Democracy won, fascism lost.” Leder said. — Jordan Pascale, Daniella Cheslow, Debbie Truong

More Stories From Inauguration

• Scattered Protesters, Supporters Gather Near The Capitol After Biden’s Swearing-In
• Biden, Harris Sworn In
• Locals Gather Around Security Checkpoints To Watch Biden’s Swearing-In
• Capitol Officer Eugene Goodman Escorts Kamala Harris At Inauguration
• A Quiet Downtown, Devoid Of Protesters And Parade-Goers
• Trump Pardons Prominent D.C. Developer Douglas Jemal
• Crowd Of About 1,000 Invited Guests Gathers For Unusual Inauguration Day

Scattered Protesters, Supporters Gather Near The Capitol After Biden’s Swearing-In

1:40 p.m.: Shortly after Joe Biden was sworn in as the next president, a small group of protesters was gathering near New Jersey Avenue and D Street, about a block away from the Capitol lawn, as others nearby celebrated the inauguration via livestreams on their phone.

The group protesting Biden’s inauguration was small, with members at times arguing with others nearby, but none amounting to much beyond a verbal altercation. One woman held a sign that read “Impeach 46,” and “investigate ballot malarkey” while others carried signs reading “Jesus saves.”

Dylan, a Maryland resident and “staunch” Biden supporter, briefly argued with one protester. He said the sweeping security measures around the Capitol made him feel safe enough to come out to the city Wednesday.

“I trust our military, I trust our police,” Dylan said, who declined to give his last name. “I have full confidence in our city.”

Billy, a New York resident who declined to give his last name, traveled to D.C. by train last night to protest the inauguration. He said the scene in D.C. Wednesday was “civil” compared to what happened at the Capitol two weeks ago.

“I agreed with the protest, not the attack,” Billy said, noting that the demonstrations on Wednesday were so small in number that they could barely be described as “protests.”

George Washington University students Danayt Biniam and Ruth Tedla were also among the group celebrating Biden’s inauguration on New Jersey Avenue. Both said they have mixed feelings about the incoming administration.

“Even though this president might not be the one I would envision, the best one, I do think it’s exciting, and the fact that Trump’s gone — that’s exciting too,” Biniam said.

And while both say it’s exciting to see the first Black woman to be sworn in as vice president, they still hold reservations about Harris’ new role.

“Although she is a woman, that’s dope to see someone who looks kind of like you…I don’t know if I fully stand behind her,” Telda says.

“The idea of having a first Black female vice president I think is really exciting, but she wouldn’t disregard her ethics or her as a person,” Biniam said. “Just because you are Black or just because you’re one thing doesn’t necessarily mean what you do is good for your people.” –Colleen Grablick, Dominique Maria Bonessi

Biden, Harris Sworn In

12:23 p.m.: President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took the oath of office shortly before noon. Their terms officially began at 12 p.m.

Biden, who swore on his family bible at 11:49 a.m., later said in his inaugural address, “This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day.”

He said America has been tested, but rose to the challenge. Biden said the country has come far, but there’s more to do — urging the country to repudiate manufactured facts and come together with empathy.

“We’ll press forward with speed and urgency for we have much to do in this winter of peril and significant possibilities. Much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build, and much to gain,” he said. “I know speaking of unity can sound to some like a foolish fantasy these days. I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real. I also know they are not new … unity is the path forward.”

Harris — the first woman, first Black American and first person of Indian heritage to become vice president — took her oath first just after 11:40 a.m. She was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Harris gave Biden double fist bumps after her oath. – Jordan Pascale

Locals Gather Around Security Checkpoints To Watch Biden’s Swearing-In

12:18 p.m.: Onlookers attempting to catch a glimpse of Joe Biden’s inauguration were dazed by the military presence around the city, dampening the fanfare that in a normal year would mark the beginning of a new presidency.

As the swearing-in ceremony proceeded, those out on the street watched the inauguration on their phones, kept away from the National Mall by layers of police lines, military tanks, and concrete barriers. Two women stood with their hands over their hearts on Maryland Avenue, listening to a livestream of Lady Gaga’s National Anthem performance.

Logan Circle resident Paul Jacobs, sporting a D.C. statehood pin and a stars and stripes scarf, walked down to Chinatown on Wednesday in search of fellow people celebrating. Instead, he found mostly National Guard troops and Secret Service officers.

“It’s weird and I’m surprised we’re not seeing more people here that seem happy we’re passing the torch,” Jacobs said. “Where I live, usually if there is a protest or anything you would see people everywhere. And now it’s just like sullen, silent, empty. But once you get here there’s all these troops marching around.”

Despite local officials and now President Biden himself encouraging Americans to stay away from D.C. on Wednesday, some out-of-state residents made the trek to the city, unwilling to miss the beginning of Biden’s term – and the end of Trump’s.

Carlos Soto traveled from Texas with a friend to be in D.C. for the inauguration. He says he booked the ticket the Saturday Biden’s victory was announced, and wasn’t deterred by the events on Jan 6.

“We’re here with masks, and so it is sad,” Soto said. “It’s bittersweet, because we overcame all of that and this country, we are going to unite.”

Ladonna Murphy and Charles Ogelton, a married couple who drove from Atlanta, booked a hotel for the inauguration the day the election was called for Biden. As they drove in, the couple said they second guessed their decision to travel to the city in the aftermath of the insurrection.

But Murphy, who wore a pink and green scarf representing Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the same sorority Harris is a member of, said she wanted to witness the first woman of color sworn in as vice president. As the couple roamed downtown an hour before the inauguration ceremony, they said they would try to get as close to the U.S. Capitol as they could but did not have a specific destination.

“The safety absolutely has to be the number one priority,” Murphy, 38, said. “At the same time, it’s bittersweet. We don’t get to participate fully like we would have under normal circumstances.”

Shermika Berry traveled to D.C. from Chicago with her 14-year-old daughter Akera. Berry said she was determined to be in the city as Harris sworn in.

“Kamala is showing Black girls and girls of color that they can accomplish anything if they put their minds to it,” Berry said. -Colleen Grablick and Debbie Truong

Capitol Officer Eugene Goodman Escorts Kamala Harris For Inauguration

Eugene Goodman, the Black Capitol Police Officer who defended the building from a mob of mostly white extremists on Jan 6., escorted Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and soon-to-be second gentleman Doug Emhoff into the Capitol grounds for inauguration.

And there is Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman, escorting VP-elect @KamalaHarris pic.twitter.com/AHOf3bKCve

— Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) January 20, 2021

Goodman, a Maryland resident and D.C. native, was nationally recognized for his actions on the day of the deadly insurrection. A now-viral video showed Goodman leading a crowd of violent rioters away from Capitol chambers.

Many laud Goodman as a hero who may have prevented further destruction and death during the Capitol storming. He is now serving as the acting deputy Senate sergeant-at-arms, and a group of bipartisan lawmakers introduced a bill last week that would honor Goodman with the Congressional Gold Medal. -Colleen Grablick

A Quiet Downtown, Devoid Of Protesters And Parade-Goers

Dozens of police officers lined downtown streets on Wednesday morning amid an otherwise bleak and empty backdrop for Joe Biden’s inauguration this afternoon.

In John Marshall Park, a designated protest area in the intense security corridor erected for Inauguration Day, only law enforcement and media filled the park — the park statues the only human figures in sight that weren’t law enforcement or media.

In Black Lives Matter Plaza, a group of activists gathered as Trump departed the White House for the last time, playing a celebratory  “hey hey hey, goodbye” as Marine One flew overhead. But the plaza remained fairly empty by mid-morning, with more media in attendance than either protesters or celebrators.

On the streets around the perimeter downtown, an occasional dog walker passed the various federal and local security agencies blocking the roadways. Senator Ted Cruz was spotted getting into a car (he told DCist reporters he planned on attending the ceremony).

Sophie Stitch lives in the security zone and took her dog Piper out for a routine morning walk on Wednesday, meeting a scene that was anything but normal.

“It’s really weird,” Stitch said. “I think that it’s necessary given everything that’s happened on the sixth, but it does feel a little strange to walk around what used to be a really busy downtown and you can walk in the street.”

Leith Mahoney-Maver, another downtown resident, ventured out with her dog to take in what will be her first inauguration in D.C. But like most Americans, Mahoney-Maver says she’ll be celebrating the incoming president at home with a bottle of champagne, and her dog.

“I’m really happy to have these past four years behind us,” Mahoney-Maver said. -Colleen Grablick

Trump Pardons Prominent D.C. Developer Douglas Jemal

8:30 a.m. — In one of his final acts in office, President Donald Trump granted clemency to 143 people — including a full pardon for prominent D.C. developer Douglas Jemal, who was convicted of wire fraud in 2006.

Jemal is a well-known and influential local developer, having helped fuel the redevelopment of portions of downtown D.C., Chinatown, H Street NE, Shaw, and, more recently, Ivy City. But in the mid-2000s he was accused of showering a D.C. official responsible for city property with gifts. Jemal admitted no wrongdoing, and jurors largely believed him, acquitting him of six of seven charges — but convicting him of wire fraud. Jemal was ultimately fined $175,000 and given probation.

In 2016, Jemal told a Buffalo newspaper that he was innocent. “I didn’t do a damn thing wrong,” Jemal said. “I don’t think the jury understood it. The judge did. He was swayed by what he heard as far as testimony. There’s some things that people just don’t understand, and real estate is a complicated business.”

In a press release, the White House praised Jemal as a philanthropist.

“Mr. Jemal is an American businessman and philanthropist credited with rebuilding many urban inner cities in the United States,” said a press release from the White House on the grants of clemency, which were issued just past midnight. “Mr. Jemal was convicted of fraud. In addition, Mr. Jemal was instrumental to various other charitable causes, including the rebuilding of churches prior to his conviction. Notably, at his trial the presiding judge told prosecutors that he thought it ‘inconceivable’ to send Mr. Jemal to prison.”

Jemal may have had some support from inside the White House — in a 2017 profile, The Washington Post reported that Jemal was close to Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

This isn’t the first local pardon from the White House — in December, Trump pardoned former Prince George’s County Police Officer Stephanie Mohr. In 1995, Mohr released her dog on Ricardo G. Mendez, a Mexican immigrant who had been sleeping on a roof in Takoma Park and was not resisting arrest. – Martin Austermuhle

Crowd Of About 1,000 Invited Guests Gathers For Unusual Inauguration Day

8 a.m. — Joe Biden will be inaugurated as the 46th president Wednesday before about 1,000 invited guests.

Officials expect that the crowd of onlookers who gather downtown to watch will be significantly smaller than ceremonies past, when more than 1 million people have filled the National Mall to watch the event live. In fact, Biden’s team has discouraged people from trying to attend the event in person, and the National Mall is closed to the public. It’s likely that the number of National Guard troops stationed in D.C. right now — 25,000 — will vastly outnumber the in-person attendees.

The inauguration comes just weeks after a violent and fatal insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, in the middle of a pandemic that has now claimed more than 400,000 American lives. National Guard troops, many of them armed, are currently stationed in D.C., along with a large presence of local and federal police. Downtown D.C. has largely been shut down to vehicle traffic, and intense security checkpoints dot the blocks surrounding the U.S. Capitol and Pennsylvania Avenue.

The inaugural events began on Tuesday with a memorial for the Americans who have died from COVID-19 at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The ceremony included an invocation from Wilton Gregory, the Archbishop of Washington.

“For many months we have grieved by ourselves,” said Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who also spoke at the memorial. “Tonight, we grieve and begin healing together.”

“To heal, we must remember—and it’s hard sometimes to remember,” said Biden. “It’s important to do that as a nation.”

Lori Key, a Detroit-area nurse who treats COVID-19 patients, sang “Amazing Grace” at the memorial, and gospel singer Yolanda Adams performed “Hallelujah.” Columns of golden lights lit up the reflecting pool, and the Biden team encouraged churches across the country to light up their buildings and ring their church bells.

Wednesday’s ceremony is set to begin around 11 a.m. on the steps in front of the U.S. Capitol building. It will be streamed live online, and members of Congress will get to watch the events in-person and bring one guest each. Some local officials will attend, too: Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser will attend. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam will be watching virtually, “breathing a sigh of relief, and getting back to work,” according to his spokesperson.

As a tribute to the members of the public who could not attend the ceremonies, the National Mall has been filled with 191,000 U.S. flags and 56 pillars of light.

President Trump will, notably, be absent from the ceremony. He plans an early departure from the White House to be at his Mar-a-Lago estate before noon. Before Twitter banned him from the platform, Trump tweeted that he did not plan on going — which makes him the first sitting president to miss the main ceremony for his successor in more than 150 years. Vice President Pence said he would attend.

The day’s events will also include a performance of the national anthem by Lady Gaga and a musical performance by Jennifer Lopez.

Later in the evening, there’s set to be more music, as Tom Hanks will host a 90-minute program that includes performances by John Legend, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Justin Timberlake, Bruce Springsteen, and Jon Bon Jovi. That starts at 8 p.m. – Jenny Gathright