National Mall Open For Inauguration But No Camping
The National Mall will be open for for Barack Obama's Inauguration on January 20th but they don't really want people gathering the night before. The Washington Postreports that official are trying to discourage Obama supporters from camping out at the National Mall the night before Barack Obama's inauguration. However, they do expect people will try to stay overnight anyway to get good spots. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty expects as many as three to five million people could pour into D.C. to witness the historic event.
Fenty has said he expects Obama supporters to camp overnight to get the best spots to see the parade. Federal officials made it clear, though, that they took a dim view of that idea. Wiley said at the news conference that 7 a.m. would be "the absolute earliest you can get to a sidewalk along Pennsylvania Avenue" on the parade route.
The crowd will have to pass through security screening, he said, adding that he did not have details about how that will work. Tickets are required to watch the swearing-in in an area at the west front of the U.S. Capitol, but people without tickets can be part of the activities beyond that restricted area.
A U.S. Park Police spokesperson says its not legal to camp on the Mall and that tents will not be allowed. They may also sweep for bombs periodically making it annoying to stay there.
Sgt. Robert LaChance, a U.S. Park Police spokesman, said that it is "not legal to camp on the Mall" and that tents will be banned. Although the Mall is open 24 hours, it might be swept in a check for bombs during the night, he said.
It sounds like it will be extremely crowded. More information about the inauguration can be found at inauguration.dc.gov. The D.C. Metro also has a special section on its website. The D.C. Historical Tours website has a map of the 2009 Inauguration Parade.
