Virginians object to inauguration closures

RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Some Virginia residents have complained after officials said all bridges from the state into Washington will be closed for Inauguration Day.

The U.S. Secret Service announced Wednesday that personal vehicles will not be allowed on any bridges from Virginia to Washington during President-elect Barack Obama's Jan. 20 inauguration under a plan designed by the agency with officials in Virginia, Washington and Maryland, The Washington Post reported Friday.

"The Secret Service, they're insane," said U.S. Rep. James Moran, D-Va. "This is security on steroids. They are imposing major obstacles on people who have a right to be there for the inauguration."

Virginian Holly Kenney agreed.

"First was the hysteria of announcing over 4 million people might be flooding the Mall. Later, they amend that number by half. Then they announce there will be no parking, few toilets and that everyone will be standing and waiting for hours. Then they tell people not to bring children and, finally, they close all the bridges," she said. "Do they think we're dense? Clearly, the public is no longer welcome."

Malcolm Wiley, a spokesman for the Secret Service, defended the plan, saying it is a matter of safety and not of keeping people away from the inauguration.

"Never, in putting together the plan, was a thought given to keep people from coming. It is that they be safe," Wiley said. "We are not restricting anyone from coming. ... The only thing we restricted is personal vehicles."