Northam: Residents should “stay home” for President-elect Biden’s Inauguration

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is requesting residents not to travel to the nation’s capitol next week for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.

Northam joined Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan in a joint statement, that cites last week’s violent insurrection during the election certification process at the U.S Capitol and the public health safety concerns with large gathering during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as reasons not to attend Biden’s Inauguration, but instead participate virtually.

Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President next Wed. Below is the full statement from Bowser, Hogan, and Northam:

“January 6, 2021 is now a seminal moment in American history. We are grateful for the courageous efforts of every law enforcement officer, Guard member, and first responder who heroically worked to secure the Capitol and ensure our nation’s democracy prevailed.

“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. 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, D.C. and to instead participate virtually.

“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.”

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