Massive road closures, a heightened security presence and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic forced people to observe President Joe Biden’s inauguration from afar this year.

Areas like the National Mall and Constitution Avenue, typically packed with attendees pining to catch a glimpse of the new president, were blocked off to the public amid safety concerns after a siege on the U.S. Capitol earlier this month. Although some conflict was anticipated, the city saw few people protesting Biden’s presidency throughout the day.

Here’s a glimpse of the day from the outskirts of the Capitol:

[gwh_image id=”1134687″ credit=”Zach Brien | Staff Photographer” size=”embedded-img” align=”none”]Biden supporters at Black Lives Matter Plaza watch as then-President Donald Trump exits the White House for the last time on Marine One.[/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1134658″ credit=”Gabrielle Rhoads | Staff Photographer” align=”none” size=”embedded-img”]A Biden supporter from California, who asked to be identified as Allie, looks down Pennsylvania Avenue toward the Capitol on Wednesday morning ahead of Biden’s inauguration.[/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1134656″ credit=”Gabrielle Rhoads | Staff Photographer” align=”none” size=”embedded-img”]Rick Henderson holds up a Kamala Harris tote bag he was selling outside of the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro stop.[/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1134662″ credit=”Lillian Bautista | Senior Photo Editor” align=”none” size=”embedded-img”]Banners welcoming the incoming Biden/Harris administration were on display overlooking Freedom Plaza.[/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1134704″ credit=”Phebe Grosser | Staff Photographer” align=”none” size=”embedded-img”]A woman holds a sign reading, “Dear Women of Color, Thank You!”[/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1134693″ credit=”Timothy O’Shaughnessy | Photographer” align=”none” size=”embedded-img”]Members of Howard University’s “Showtime” Marching Band are seen walking before they perform at a parade celebrating the new administration. Harris is a 1986 Howard graduate.[/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1134682″ credit=”Sophie Moten | Staff Photographer” size=”embedded-img” align=”none”]Biden supporters gather at BLM Plaza to celebrate Biden’s inauguration.[/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1134694″ credit=”Timothy O’Shaughnessy | Photographer” size=”embedded-img” align=”none”]Members of the National Guard monitor a barrier along 14th Street NW near Freedom Plaza.[/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1134660″ credit=”Lillian Bautista | Senior Photo Editor” align=”none” size=”embedded-img”]A group gathers to observe the Capitol from a distance on Louisiana Avenue as the inauguration ceremony began.[/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1134661″ credit=”Lillian Bautista | Senior Photo Editor” align=”none” size=”embedded-img”]The entrance to the Capitol was barricaded and guarded by varying security forces as the inauguration was underway.[/gwh_image]

[gwh_image id=”1134710″ credit=”Zach Schonfeld | Staff Photographer” size=”embedded-img” align=”none”]First lady Jill Biden is seen waving through the car doors as the presidential motorcade drove down Memorial Avenue.[/gwh_image]