Protesters ready for Trump inauguration
President-elect Donald Trump arrived in Washington last night as the United States prepared to welcome the most divisive leader in its history.
Washington is braced for an onslaught of inaugural crowds and demonstrators today.
Some 900,000 people, both Trump backers and opponents, are expected to flood Washington for today’s inauguration ceremony, according to organisers.
Meanwhile, yesterday the White House was quickly emptying out.
President Barack Obama’s schedule was empty beyond his daily briefing and his final weekly lunch with vice-president Joe Biden.
Vice president-elect Mike Pence, in a tweet, called Inauguration Eve “a momentous day before a historic day”, as security barricades and blockades went up around Washington in preparation for today’s swearing-in ceremony.
“We are all ready to go to work,” Mr Pence said at a morning news conference.
“In fact, we can’t wait to get to work for the American people to make it great again.”
Mr Trump’s first scheduled stop in Washington was a leadership luncheon bringing together inaugural officials, top Republican leaders in Congress, his cabinet picks and top members of his new White House team.
His public schedule for the inaugural celebration starts with an afternoon wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery.
Next, a welcome concert on the steps of Lincoln Memorial, ending with fireworks.
The two-hour concert, open to the public, was to feature country star Toby Keith, soul’s Sam Moore, actor Jon Voight and The Piano Guys.
Also performing are Lee Greenwood, DJ RaviDrums, 3 Doors Down, and The Frontmen of Country, featuring Tim Rushlow, Larry Stewart and Richie McDonald.
It will not include singer Jennifer Holliday, originally announced as one of the headliners. She backed out after an outcry from Trump critics.
Speaking from the US capital, Nigel Farage said Donald Trump’s inauguration will be historic because it marks a “significant change in direction” for America.
The former Ukip leader, who was the first British politician to meet Mr Trump after his election win, is attending today’s ceremony.
Mr Farage said: “I get a sense of the history, and that this particular inauguration is a very significant one because in so many areas it marks a significant change in direction. I’m very excited about it.
“In terms of America’s place in the world and its direction, what is happening tomorrow is very significant indeed.
“I’m very, very pleased that post-Brexit we got involved in this.”
Protests are expected to take place across the whole of America and in many of the world’s major cities this weekend.
About 30 groups totalling 270,000 people have received permits to stage demonstrations, both for and against the New York businessman in Washington.
That number includes some 200,000 people who police say they expect to attend the Women’s March on Washington, an antiTrump protest, taking place tomorrow.
Activists across Wales also plan to make their mark.
Women’s March on Washington solidarity events are planned for Cardiff and Bangor tomorrow.
Organisers said: “We call on people to march as part of an international day of action in solidarity.”
Campaign group Stand up to Racism will also host demonstrations in Cardiff and Swansea this evening.
Organiser Jeff Hurford said: “Donald Trump has offended a great many people and this gives them an opportunity to make a public stand against him and what he stands for.
“A papier-mâché head of Trump will be turned into a piñata and broken open to reveal chocolate hearts – showing that love trumps hate.”
And as part of a national Bridges Not Walls day of action across the UK, a number of groups will gather to display and put up banners to “spread positivity”.
Wales HOPE not Hate co-ordinator Tom Godwin said: “Donald Trump ran on a campaign that demonised women, Muslims, migrants, refugees, and disabled people.
“Rather than sitting at home dispirited and staring at social media on the day of his inauguration, activists will be out on the streets spreading positivity.”
Groups are set to gather in Cardiff, Powys and Penarth to display the banners in solidarity with hundreds of other groups across the UK.