US capital shuts down for Obama's historic day
WASHINGTON was in lockdown last night as it prepared for history’s biggest security operation – the swearing-in of its first black president.
Between 1.5 million and 4 million people are expected in the city today for Barack Obama’s inauguration.
But amid threats from Al Qaeda and US racist groups they will be separated from their new president by 23,000 police and National Guard soldiers and watched by 5,265 security cameras.
Security in Washington is always tight for presidential inaugurations, but the terrorist attacks of 2001 changed that.
Security around Obama has been unprecedented and a massive security plan has swing into operation in Washington.
Ku Klux Klan flies Stars and Stripes upside down.
The notorious white supremacy cult the Ku Klux Klan is still in action and has called on all supporters to wear black armbands today and fly the Stars and Stripes flag upside down.
Today, for the first time the incoming President will be sworn in behind bullet-proof glass, similar to that around the Chicago stage where he delivered his victory speech on election night November 4.
The screen is designed to resist chemicals, flames and multiple gunshots. Obama will be surrounded by police and National Guard troops and road, rail, river and air traffic will be shut down around the capital.
Fighter jets and helicopter gunships will patrol the skies although the White House is already protected by anti-aircraft
batteries and hair-trigger room alarms. The inauguration of the first black president increases the potential threat to his safety, “particularly stemming from individuals on the extremist fringe of the white supremacist movement”, the FBI has warned.
Obama received multiple death threats during the campaign and at least one assassination plot was thwarted. In a poignant reminder, the ceremony is taking place just one day after what would have been the 80th birthday of assassinated civil-rights hero Martin Luther King.
At 4.56pm British time, Obama will lay his right hand on the tiny, battered Bible used by his presidential idol Abraham Lincoln at his first inauguration in 1861, and take the oath of office.
Standing behind the curtain of bullet-proof glass, the new First Lady Michelle Obama will hold the Bible for her husband.
Watched by 1.5 billion TV viewers around the world, their young daughters Malia and Sasha will look on as the 44th President is sworn in before the Capitol building by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
Hero pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger who successfully ditched Flight 1549 in New York’s Hudson River last week, saving all 155 on board, will attend the ceremony with his wife and two daughters as honoured guests.
After a 21-gun salute, Obama will deliver the most important speech of his life so far – his inaugural address.
He is expected to invoke the spirit of presidents past as he takes office on a wave of national optimism but with the potentially crushing weight of the economic crisis, Middle East violence and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He will attempt to summon the unifying force of Lincoln, who ended the injustice of slavery, the courage of Franklin D Roosevelt in the Great Depression and the tragic hope of John F. Kennedy.
After his speech, Obama, vice-president Joe Biden, their families and 200 dignitaries will file into the Capitol for the inauguration lunch. But before he can take a bite Secret Service chiefs will hand him the metal briefcase containing nuclear weapons codes.
Later, the Obamas will attend 10 inaugural balls before entering the White House for the first time as the official residents.
Tomorrow he gets down to business with pledges in his first week to confront the Middle East crisis, speed an economic rescue package through Congress and order the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention centre.
COUNTDOWN TO INAUGURATION
(British time – Washington is five hours behind GMT)
1pm: Gates open to the ticket-only seating area and the public area in front of Washington’s Capitol Building
4.30pm: Barack and Michelle Obama, their daughters Malia and Sasha, vice-president-elect Joe Biden and wife
Jill, outgoing-president and First Lady George W and Barbara Bush and all dignatories take their seats
4.56pm: Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States
5.01pm: President Obama gives his inaugural address
5.27pm: The Obamas and the Bushes enter the Capitol Building for the handing over of the codes to the nuclear arsenal
5.36pm: President George W Bush officially leaves office in a farewell departure by helicopter
6.05pm: President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama sit down for the inaugural luncheon
7.30pm: Inauguration parade up Pennsylvania Avenue for 11/2 miles, from the Capitol to the White House, attended by President Obama, Michelle and dignatories.
