DC Pedestrians View Inaugural Lockdown With Sadness and Dismay

DC Pedestrians View Inaugural Lockdown With Sadness and Dismay
National guard soldiers outside of L’Enfant Plaza metro station in Washington on Jan. 17, 2021. Terri Wu / Epoch Times
Terri Wu
Updated:

WASHINGTON—Very few cars were seen on the streets in the center of Washington, D.C., on the morning of Jan. 17, and only a few pedestrians, runners, and bikers were around. Street and Metro rail closures, ordered in preparation for the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, kept the city streets mostly empty.

Those who ventured out were taken aback by what they saw.

A policeman gives directions to a pedestrian near the L’Enfant Plaza metro station in Washington on Jan. 17, 2021. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)
A policeman gives directions to a pedestrian near the L’Enfant Plaza metro station in Washington on Jan. 17, 2021. Terri Wu/The Epoch Times

“It feels like a military state or just like living in extra lockdown,” said Brian Broderick, a Washington resident who was walking his dog near the Smithsonian on Jan. 17.

He added that the security fences that had been erected reflected the divisions in society and, in some way, also “influence and reinforce” those divisions.

“It’s really tragic that we can’t find ways to engage in politics more civilly than this. ... All these fences, all of this equipment and gear to protect us from each other is pretty pathetic. ... Even if you totally hate each other and disagree, you should be able to do it in the public square.”

Washington resident Brian Broderick in Washington on Jan. 17, 2021. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)
Washington resident Brian Broderick in Washington on Jan. 17, 2021. Terri Wu/The Epoch Times

Brian Phelan lives in the state of Maryland, about 40 minutes away from the nation’s capital. He said he made the trip to see the “insurrection fortification” with his own eyes: “This is not a smooth transition. It shouldn’t be like this in a change of power. I’m disappointed that they have to lock down our capital for this.”

The entire National Mall is fenced in. Taken outside the Smithsonian Metro stop in Washington on Jan. 17, 2021. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)
The entire National Mall is fenced in. Taken outside the Smithsonian Metro stop in Washington on Jan. 17, 2021. Terri Wu/The Epoch Times

Phelan identifies himself as an independent. “I probably would have voted for Trump this year if there wasn’t an epic failure on the COVID-19, which I believe there was. But I voted Democrat this year.” He wants President-elect Joe Biden’s priorities to be COVID-19 and the economy.

Brian Phelan in Washington on Jan. 17, 2021. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)
Brian Phelan in Washington on Jan. 17, 2021. Terri Wu/The Epoch Times

“I think this is hard for all Americans, however you voted. I think this is really hard,” said Lorraine Torres from northern Virginia. Like Phelan, she’s local and wanted to see the city for herself. She believes the lockdown is necessary but finds it “overwhelming” and “upsetting.”

“I don’t think it’s representative of our country in the normal time. So I had to see it. No, I don’t think COVID has anything to do with it [the lockdown].”

Lorraine Torres from northern Virginia believes the lockdown is necessary but finds it “overwhelming” and “upsetting” in Washington on Jan. 17, 2021. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)
Lorraine Torres from northern Virginia believes the lockdown is necessary but finds it “overwhelming” and “upsetting” in Washington on Jan. 17, 2021. Terri Wu/The Epoch Times

Megan Marie Randall, a first-time tourist from Texas, was frustrated to know she couldn’t visit the Lincoln Memorial. She described the city as “a maze of fences” and “a military camp.” She said it was “depressing” and “sad” to see the city like this.

Randall shared her feeling upon arriving in the city: “When you go to a funeral, and you’re trying to get over the fact that you just lost somebody that you absolutely loved and appreciated, but at the same time, you’re trying to be strong for your children, you’re trying to be strong for everybody. You’re standing there, and everybody keeps hugging you, but you keep trying to quit crying and get stronger. It’s that feeling, that sadness that comes over your body, and that overwhelming despair of wanting that back. And it’s just so incredibly deep and depressing. That’s what I felt when I arrived.”

Megan Marie Randall, a first-time tourist from Texas, described the city as “a maze of fences” and “a military camp,” in Washington on Jan. 17, 2021. (Terri Wu / The Epoch Times)
Megan Marie Randall, a first-time tourist from Texas, described the city as “a maze of fences” and “a military camp,” in Washington on Jan. 17, 2021. Terri Wu / The Epoch Times

She added, “We just need to come together as one and support each other and really start listening to one another.” She wants life to go back to the way it was before COVID-19.

A Trump supporter who drove five hours from Connecticut and arrived in Washington on Jan. 17 said: “American patriots need to continue to be proud. We need to continue to support Donald Trump.” He declined to share his name. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)
A Trump supporter who drove five hours from Connecticut and arrived in Washington on Jan. 17 said: “American patriots need to continue to be proud. We need to continue to support Donald Trump.” He declined to share his name. Terri Wu/The Epoch Times
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