The Counter-Inauguration

As George W Bush was being sworn in for another four years as President of the United States, thousands of protestors were gathering to the North and West of the Capitol to demonstrate their opposition to his policies.

Invited guests

Many Bush supporters had paid thousands of dollars to attend inauguration events. They were unimpressed by the protestors' shenanigans.

Uninvited guests

Which side of the fence are you on?

A ring of steel

Security was higher than it had been at any previous inauguration. A ring of steel was erected around the centre of the city and manned by military personnel. As visitors approached the fence they were ordered to open their jackets in preparation for a full body search.

Local police

6000 police were on duty throughout the day.

Secret Police

An undisclosed number of secret-service agents were also watching over the proceedings.

Scout volunteers in Guantanamo colours...

Scout volunteers were also on hand to assist in easily identifiable uniforms.

Typing a postcard to President Bush

Protestors converged in McPherson Square just north of the main inaugural procession. Once here you could dictate a message for President Bush to a typist.

Spot the real "Billionaires for Bush"

Billionaires for Bush is a humorous campaigning and activist group which aims to highlight "how the Bush administration’s economic policies have been a disaster for most Americans". On inauguration day there were so many real and imitation billionaires in and around the celebrations, it wasn't so easy to differentiate the role players from the real thing....

Is she one?

The Abu Ghraib Fraternity

Presidential inaugurations are traditionally a time of celebration, but not everyone agreed on what the party was about. While the President processed along Pennsylvania Avenue, the Abu Ghraib Fraternity danced to Lulu's hit "Shout" on a street corner to the north of the White House.

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