Divided: Scenes from Inauguration 2021 - Interviews
Some videos in this series contain graphic language and imagery.
Freelance photographer James Townsend covered the inauguration of Joe Biden. He photographed and videoed the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6.
“I’m here today to just witness history and take pictures of this moment… I was down here earlier this week and it was such a tense moment, and I’m just waiting to see if the city breathes that sigh of relief that everyone’s waiting for.”James Townsend
Debby Anthony, a descendant of Susan B. Anthony, Debby came to the inauguration in Washington, D.C., from just outside Seattle to honor her as well as the memory of her father, a veteran who was a Biden supporter. She wore his military dog tags.
“No one person should ever be more important than our democracy… our democracy, we need to make sure it’s there for the future generations as we were able to live under it.”Debby Anthony
An unknown protester (right, wearing black sunglasses) and companion hold signs in Washington, D.C., during the inauguration of President Joe Biden.
“We could have a reckoning in this country, if we have truth and reconciliation…”No name offered
Kaleed (right, wearing mask) and Ahmed are journalists reporting on the inauguration for Al Arabiya News Outlet. Kaleed was struck by rioters while covering the siege on the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021.
“We have to love this land… because the president is changed every four years, but the people they will still survive in this land.”Kaleed
Liane Kufchock is a Biden supporter from Michigan.
“I want my great-grandkids to know that I was here, to help usher in a new era and help the healing of our country.”Liane Kufchock
Mexican artist Roberto Marquez carries a flag that is 25 feet long and is missing its stars, which he says is a commentary on immigration policy in the United States.
“It’s something similar to a flag, but it’s a work of art. If you notice, it doesn’t have any stars. I’m trying to make you think that there is something lacking out there…”Roberto Marquez
Blanca Mora is a Costa Rican journalist covering the inauguration for media back home.
“Right now the eyes of the world [are on the] USA… whatever is happening here, we never saw it before. You can expect something like that in a third-world country.”Blanca Mora
Karen Irwin protects the Black Lives Matter memorial fence at BLM Plaza, Washington, D.C.
“As far as the administration, the future of the country – I think we’re so screwed. They’re walking in to an enormous mess. I don’t see how a change in the executive branch particularly is gonna really change anything.”Karen Irwin
Smokey Sims protecting protesters at Black Lives Matter plaza in Washington, D.C., during the inauguration.
“I’m always an optimist and I’ve always got hope, and I hope that Joe Biden do us right this time, because before in the past he passed the criminal bill against Black people, but I’ve got hope because of Kamala Harris… she’ll put him in his place.”Smokey Sims
Nadine Seiler, Maryland resident, at Black Lives Matter plaza in Washington, D.C., for the inauguration.
“I was not a Biden supporter, but once January 6th occurred… when he spoke on it, he understands how the disparate treatment that we have gotten as black people versus white people in this country, I am confident now that there is a chance that he will address the racial disparity…”Nadine Seiler
Daniel Kingery, homeless resident in McPherson Square, Washington D.C.
“If we remain silent to quote ‘controlling our government,’ and do not participate in actively controlling it and enforcing our votes, we are just going to continue falling and failing as a nation. If we the people decide to wake up and unify for this purpose, we can be the… true example of freedoms and liberty around the world…”Daniel Kingery
Giovanni Sedita, Biden supporter from Texas.
“We have a lot of Republicans in the area, we live in the rural area of Texas… we’ve had people come through our yard in their truck and do doughnuts on our Biden signs.”Giovanni Sedita
Paula Alvarez, at left, and Elliot Carter, both residents of Washington, D.C.
“We have created such breaches in society that have been happening for hundreds of years that we’ve ignored, and we can’t ignore them anymore – it’s too late.”Paula Alvarez
“Since 2001… people have gotten used to guards with machine guns outside the subway… we have rebuilt this entire city around the notion of foreign extremists coming here and flying airplanes into buildings… and you just told us that actually if you’re a militiaman, you can just walk in here with AR-15s.”Elliot Carter
Longtime resident of Washington, D.C., Joel Selanikio, at right, with his wife Miaochun and son Kai. They live about one mile from the White House.
"With the Capitol riot, people felt like these are folks who are trying… to overthrow the government… I think I’ll sleep OK tonight, but at the same time you think, 'That could never happen here,' until the moment when it actually does."Joel Selanikio
Haruyo Miyamoto is a correspondent who was covering the inauguration in Washington, D.C., for Tokyo Broadcasting System News in Japan.
“[Trump is] very popular among some Japanese people… Still today, there are some Japanese people who think that President-elect Biden wasn’t elected fair and square.”Haruyo Miyamoto
Sarah Baxter, at right, of the Sunday Times of London, with her husband and photographer Jez Coulson. They’ve worked as a team all over the world, and were in Washington, D.C. to cover the inauguration.
“It’s very disturbing to see a new president inaugurated in what looks like a bit of a war zone, but it does presage an absolute break with the previous era.”Sarah Baxter