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Thousands expected for anti-Trump Inauguration Day action

Author
AAP,
Publish Date
Fri, 20 Jan 2017, 5:52AM
Preparations at the US Capitol building (Getty Images)
Preparations at the US Capitol building (Getty Images)

Thousands expected for anti-Trump Inauguration Day action

Author
AAP,
Publish Date
Fri, 20 Jan 2017, 5:52AM

Washington will turn into a virtual fortress before Donald Trump's presidential inauguration, as the US capital braces itself for more than 250,000 protesters expected during the Republican's swearing-in.

Police have forecast that about 900,000 people, both supporters and opponents, will flood Washington for the inauguration ceremony on Friday, which includes the swearing-in on the steps of the US Capitol and a parade to the White House along streets thronged with onlookers.

Many of those attending will be protesters irate about the New York real estate developer's demeaning comments about women, immigrants and Muslims, a vow to repeal the sweeping healthcare reform law known as "Obamacare" and plans to build a wall along the US-Mexico border.

His supporters admire Trump's experience in business, including as a real estate developer and reality television star, and view him as an outsider and problem- solver.

About 28,000 security personnel, kilometres of fencing, roadblocks, street barricades and dump trucks laden with sand will be part of the security cordon clamped around eight square kilometres of central Washington.

About 30 groups that organisers claim will draw about 270,000 protesters or Trump backers have received permits for rallies or marches before, during and after the swearing-in. More protests are expected without permits.

By far the biggest protest will be the Women's March on Washington on Saturday, which organisers expect to draw 250,000 people.

Hundreds of Women's March-related protests are scheduled across the US and around the world as well.

A major group of protesters, Disrupt J20, has vowed to stage demonstrations at each of 12 security checkpoints and block access to the festivities on the grassy National Mall.

One Washington inaugural protest will come amid a haze of pot smoke as pro- marijuana protesters show their opposition to Trump's choice for attorney- general, Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, who is a critic of pot legalisation.

Interim Police Chief Peter Newsham said officers were prepared to carry out mass arrests, though authorities hoped that would not be necessary.

"If we do have a mass arrest, we'll be able to get people processed very quickly," he said in an interview with Washington's NBC 4 television station.

Friday's crowds are expected to be less than the two million who attended Obama's first inauguration in 2009, and in line with the million who were at his second, four years ago.

The inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue will pass the Trump International Hotel, a rallying point for protesters since the election now encircled by security fences.

Trump will attend an interfaith prayer service at the cathedral on Saturday, which will bring to a close the inaugural ceremonies.

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