DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, together with the governors of Maryland and Virginia, released a joint statement, in which they urged Americans not to come into the District of Columbia for President-elect Joe Biden‘s inauguration and to attend online.
“On January 20, there will be a transition of power, and we will work together, and with our partners in the federal government, to ensure the safety of the National Capital Region,” said Mayor Bowser, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam in the statement.
“Due to the unique circumstances surrounding the 59th Presidential Inauguration, including last week’s violent insurrection as well as the ongoing and deadly COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking the extraordinary step of encouraging Americans not to come to Washington, DC and to instead participate virtually.”
The release came as a result of a joint call on Monday between Bowser, Hogan and Northam. During the call, the trio discussed the need for enhanced planning and preparation for the upcoming presidential inauguration compared to previous inaugurations in light of “the chaos, injury, and death experienced at the United States Capitol during the insurrection on January 6, 2021.”
“In this very trying time, January 6 was a dark moment for our nation. But we know that we will get through this period because American ideals are stronger than one extreme ideology. Together, we will overcome extremism and get back to the work of our residents,” the leaders concluded their statement.
In the meantime, Bowser extended the city’s coronavirus-related restrictions that include indoor dining ban and closing museums and libraries until January 22.
