DC Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) has requested that public gatherings between Jan. 11 and 24 be canceled, and has requested daily security briefings.
She made the remarks at her Jan. 11th situational update. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Robert Contee also presented.
The Presidential inauguration is slated to occur Wednesday Jan. 20. Bowser, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and Capitol insurrection, said this inauguration is unlike any other.
“This inauguration poses several unprecedented challenges that exceed the scope of our traditional planning processes,” Bowser said.
On Sunday, Bowser sent a letter to Chad Wolf, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, requesting that the National Special Security Event (NSSE) past today, Monday Jan. 11, through Jan. 24.
Bowser has also asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to provide a daily briefing for DC Homeland Security, Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) and the Metro Police Department (MPD).
Bowser also requested that the Secretary of the Department of Interior cancel any and all public gathering permits from Jan. 11 through Jan. 24 and deny any new applications for gatherings during this time.
Bowser is asking all DC residents and visitors to participate in inauguration events virtually this year citing the COVID-19 pandemic and domestic terror threats. Bowser also asked residents to text INAUG2021 to 888-777 for updates on public safety, street closures and transit updates throughout inauguration day.
Sarah Payne is a History and Neuroscience student at The University of Michigan interning with HillRag. She writes for and serves as an assistant news editor for Michigan’s student newspaper, The Michigan Daily. You can reach her at sarahp@hillrag.com.
