UPDATED: Arlington Dems To Celebrate Biden Inauguration Virtually

UPDATED (Jan. 16, 11:45 a.m.): The Arlington County Democratic Party was planning to host socially-distanced Swearing-In Watch Parties on Wednesday morning at three locations around Arlington. Those have been canceled and the organization is suggesting its member celebrate the event virtually. This story has been updated to reflect this change.

ARLINGTON, VA — While leaders in Maryland, D.C., and Virginia are telling people to not attend the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris in person, one local group is already planning to celebrate the event safely. The Arlington County Democratic Committee is hosting two virtual events on Inauguration Day.

“In the spirit of responsible leadership, Arlington Democrats have made the difficult decision to convert our previously planned, socially distanced, in-person watch party to a virtual Zoom event,” Arlington Democrats Chair Jill Caiazzo said, in a release on Friday. “We appreciate the service and sacrifice by all local and federal law enforcement during the difficult time — including the Arlington Police Department, Washington Metro Police Department, the U.S. Capitol Police, and deployed National Guard units. We’ve regrettably decided that the best way to enable them to focus their full attention on the very real security threats our country faces is for us to stay home and celebrate the historic inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris virtually.”

The first event is a Swearing-In Watch Party, which starts at 11:30 a.m., on Jan. 20. That's when Arlington Democrats will be watching the inauguration together via Zoom. The public is invited tojoin the Zoom call watch party.

In the evening, Arlington Democrats and Arlington Young Democrats will be hosing a virtual Inaugural Ball Watch Party via Zoom. The event starts at 7 p.m., and will feature breakout rooms with fun for the entire family. Attendees are required to register in advance.

On Monday, Arlington County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti released a statement Monday saying everything was being done to protect the public in the run-up to the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

"I have full confidence that the County Manager and the Acting Police Chief are taking the steps necessary to keep Arlingtonians safe and appropriately assist with the safe transfer of power in a way that aligns with our community's ideals and commitments," de Ferranti said, in his statement.

Also on Monday, he FBI issued an internal bulletin warning armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols, as well as courthouses and administration buildings, between Jan. 16 and 20, and at the nation's capitol from Jan. 17 through Inauguration Day, the Associated Press reported.

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