Inauguration Crowds

Crowds are packing the National Mall from theCapitol to the Washington Monument as they await the inaugurationof President-elect Barack Obama as the nation's 44th president.

By: Associated Press | WSAV-TV
Published: January 20, 2009

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Crowds are packing the National Mall from the
Capitol to the Washington Monument as they await the inauguration
of President-elect Barack Obama as the nation's 44th president.
The city itself - as well as subway cars and sidewalks - is
jammed with pedestrians from all over.
Some 207,000 people had entered Washington's Metro transit
system by 7 a.m., transit officials said. Huge lines formed outside
subway stations; many parking lots filled up and were closed.
Meanwhile, thousands have gathered near the Pennsylvania Avenue
parade route, making it tough for many to find checkpoints into the
secure area.
But that didn't matter for long. Nearing 9:30 a.m., jumbotrons
on the mall announced that the parade route was closed because it
was filled to capacity.