United States: before the inauguration of Joe Biden, skateboarders invest Washington, ghost town

Audio 01:30

Dylan and Richy, two skaters, took to the streets of Washington.

© RFI-Stefanie Schüler

Text by: RFI Follow

4 min

In downtown Washington, we see nothing but police, soldiers and a host of journalists from all over the world.

Two young Americans, Dylan and Richy, took advantage of these exceptional conditions to train for their favorite sport.

RFI handed them the microphone. 

Publicity

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From our special envoys in Washington

,

Stefanie Schüler

and

Bertrand Haeckler

Dylan and Richy have met not far from Pennsylvania Avenue.

For these two young people, the barricaded streets of Washington have become a giant skate park.

“ 

We're taking advantage of the closed city to skate freely,

 ” says Dylan.

“ 

Empty streets and sidewalks!

 Richy says.

► To read also

: United States: Washington barricades itself before the inauguration of Joe Biden

“ 

There is a silver lining to all of this.

Normally the traffic is very heavy here and there are plenty of pedestrians.

But there, people stay at home

 , ”Dylan develops.

On the absence of people in the streets, Richy notes: “

They are careful.

They don't want to be outside if something happens

”.

“ 

It's crazy!

 », Dylan wonders.

"

Something must change now

 "

Regarding 

Joe Biden taking office

, Richy said: “

I don't know what but something has to change now.

Trump stirred up so much hatred that it tore America apart

”.

Are they hopeful that things will calm down under the new presidency?

"

 No.

Of course I prefer Joe Biden to Donald Trump.

But if I look at my life and the lives of those around me, I don't think Joe Biden will take action that matches people's real needs.

I don't see him initiating real change.

But at least he won't instigate people to commit murders, like Trump did.

It's already a good point !

 », Assures Dylan. 

“ 

I don't think he's the answer, but he's a step in the right direction,

 ” Richy concludes.

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