will DC be safe on the 20th?

[Anonymous]

I assume everyone in their right mind will stay away from downtown.
But what about those of us right off the red line?
Any reason to leave?
Please don't ridicule me for asking.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been living in DC since Obama’s first inauguration, and I’ve honestly never felt unsafe during these political events. I of course don’t go downtown, but our neighborhood has been quiet these last few days. It was almost eerie to know there was a coup attempt happening less than a mile from my home. I do think there will be some chaos and probably violence on the 20th, but I don’t think it will bleed into the neighborhoods.

But to answer your question, no, we have no plans to leave town on the 20th. We did leave town for trump’s inauguration, but that was more out of disgust than a fear something crazy would happen. Hopefully, the police and other security forces will be much better prepared on the 20th than they were on the 6th.

[Anonymous]

Just stay away from the mall and white house area and you'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

The entire year will be a dangerous one. Be aware of unattended packages and threats on social media. If you work in a federal building, ask them to dust off their evacuation plans.

[Anonymous]

It will be fine but traffic will likely suck.

Trump won't be there. Some whackos will be around but honestly, there have been whackos protesting at pretty much every inauguration over the last 40 years. Given the level of security anticipated I wouldn't worry too much about them.

[Anonymous]

Lived here for over 30 years and only went down for Clinton's inauguration - anyone else remember that? They Might Be Giants and other cool bands on the Mall. It was such a fun, inclusive party. I was disappointed Obama didn't do anything like that.

Anyway, this year with all the fuss - the crowds will probably be down and security will be up - I'm contemplating going down for a moment of joy like it was on the day the election was called. That was sublime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The entire year will be a dangerous one. Be aware of unattended packages and threats on social media. If you work in a federal building, ask them to dust off their evacuation plans.

+1. The movement of fascist conspiracy nutters is on the upswing. White male terrorism will be on the rise.

[Anonymous]

I think any residential area should be fine. I just wouldn’t go anywhere near the mall. And don’t go to the office if you can swing that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lived here for over 30 years and only went down for Clinton's inauguration - anyone else remember that? They Might Be Giants and other cool bands on the Mall. It was such a fun, inclusive party. I was disappointed Obama didn't do anything like that.

Anyway, this year with all the fuss - the crowds will probably be down and security will be up - I'm contemplating going down for a moment of joy like it was on the day the election was called. That was sublime.

Sure he did. A couple days before the inauguration, Obama had a concert in front of the Lincoln Memorial. I went by myself and it was so fun to see the diversity of people there and the great atmosphere. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Are_One:_The_Obama_Inaugural_Celebration_at_the_Lincoln_Memorial

But no, I would have loved to take my young kids to see the first woman VP who is also Black but between Covid and they will see it on TV instead.

[Anonymous]

My 2¢ is that the right wing nut jobs who show up that day will be some of the craziest, with little left to lose and a huge grudge about being abandoned. Personally, I would avoid metro and the Capitol and White House areas.

[Anonymous]

So... people who are saying the big concern will be traffic. Did you see what happened at the Capitol? Are you unaware that right wing groups are organizing violence for Inauguration Day? It's going to be crazy, and the PP who said the entire year will be dangerous is right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So... people who are saying the big concern will be traffic. Did you see what happened at the Capitol? Are you unaware that right wing groups are organizing violence for Inauguration Day? It's going to be crazy, and the PP who said the entire year will be dangerous is right.

They'll be kettled and contained, same as it was in 2016. No big deal.

You seriously think they'll get 40,000 people to show up again? You think the cops won't have 2x / 3x / 4x the coverage they had the other day? Did you see the video? A few dozen cops were in the patrol uniforms with flimsy crash barriers and police tape against a crowd of 1,000s.

[Anonymous]

As a Jewish person I plan to be staying inside around the time of the inauguration. Do not need to run into any "6 million wasn't enough"-ers around my city.

[Anonymous]

We live 1.5 miles from the Capitol and we didn't see any roving bands of coup supporters in the neighborhood on January 6 but we did notice people staying across the street in a hostel who probably were at the Capitol. So we were kind of nervous and kept an eye on them.

I suspect there will be fewer Trump supporters in town during the inauguration but I think a few of the ones who will be here are more likely to be dangerous. OTOH I think law enforcement folks were really embarrassed by the attempted coup and they'll be paying more attention this time.

I think it's best to not go downtown and to stay aware of your surroundings at home but in all likelihood things will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So... people who are saying the big concern will be traffic. Did you see what happened at the Capitol? Are you unaware that right wing groups are organizing violence for Inauguration Day? It's going to be crazy, and the PP who said the entire year will be dangerous is right.

They'll be kettled and contained, same as it was in 2016. No big deal.

You seriously think they'll get 40,000 people to show up again? You think the cops won't have 2x / 3x / 4x the coverage they had the other day? Did you see the video? A few dozen cops were in the patrol uniforms with flimsy crash barriers and police tape against a crowd of 1,000s.

They made it public they were coming and the feds and capitol police didn't prepare. Not risking it for inauguration.