Hours after the inauguration of President Joseph Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris on Jan. 20, a group of about 20 supporters spoke of phrases such as “hope” and “healing” at the corner of Washington Street and Sequim Avenue in downtown Sequim while waving American flags and holding signs.

Ken Nielsen of Sequim said the gathering was a celebration.

“I’m feeling hopeful,” he said.

Nielsen said he got emotional while watching the Washington, D.C. inauguration ceremony on television.

He said he hopes Biden and Harris will address COVID-19 as one of their first acts.

“I want honesty, decency, inclusiveness and generally to bring people together,” Nielsen said.

Steve and Kathy Downer of Sequim sat in chairs with Biden/Harris signs waving. Steve said he’s relieved following the inauguration.

Kathy said she hopes the “healing will begin.”

The couple said they hope for the president and vice-president’s first acts to address the coronavirus, economy, environment, education and national parks.

Honeybee Burns of Dungeness said she hopes they’ll “do something significant about how people of color are treated and climate change; there’s no hope if we don’t have a planet.”

Sequim Police Department report there were no other rallies or protests on Jan. 20, and that one participant in this rally let them know in advance. There were no issues, police officials said.

Steve Downer, Brian Grad, and Kathy Downer of Sequim wave to drivers on Jan. 20 as they celebrate the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris. “I’m relieved,” Downer said of the inauguration. He hopes their first steps will be to address COVID-19, the economy and environment. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash