INTRO:
It's usually a time when Americans come together to celebrate their democracy but the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States is shaping up to be anything but normal.
At least 40??? (CHECK before air) members of congress have announced they will boycott the ceremony and protests are planned including a huge march in the nation's capital the day after the inauguration.
Kate Fisher reports on the preparations from Washington DC
IN: The stage is
OUT: SOC
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SCRIPT
VO:
The stage is set but is the country ready?
There will be several empty chairs at the ceremony as an unprecedented number of democrat members of congress say they won't attend - including immigrant-rights advocate Illinois democrat Luis Gutierrez.
SOT: Rep LUIS GUTIERREZ (Dem, Illinois):
"I will use whatever peaceful means available to make sure the words and actions of our new president do not become the new main stream and normal in america. And for that Mr Speaker is why I will not be here for inauguration day."
VO:
But these protesters certainly plan to be there - organizer Ben Becker says they'll be holding a mass demonstration along the parade route.
SUPER: BEN BECKER, Protestor
"we have a massive stage and a massive sound system and so we'll be projecting many of these same messages about solidarity against racism and sexism about building unity, about fighting for a better world and a better future. so that when trump goes by in his limousine he and the whole world will see a powerful movement of opposition saying no to the trump agenda. it will be a counter inauguration."
UPSOT:
"No Trump"
VO:
The protests have already begun. Sunsara Taylor says she's been marching through Washington to the Trump Hotel every night this week.
SUPER: SUNSARA TAYLOR, Protestor
"we're calling for the millions who are sick at heart, who are terrified before the inauguration to create such a crisis of rule that they don't swear this illegitimate fascist into office. If we don't success in that we are not going away."
"the lives of literally millions and millions of people are endangered by Trump and pence. they are illegitimate and we have a moral obligation to stop them."
This is just one of several protests taking place across the American capital in an unprecedented display of disunity ahead of the inauguration. These people say Donald Trump is not fit to lead the country but come Friday lunch time he will be their president - they insist the protests will continue.
Kate Fisher, Washington