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The two will perform at the Jan. 20 event for
the incoming 46th U.S. president, which will also feature
remarks from a black firefighter from Georgia, a former Youth
Poet Laureate, a Catholic priest, and a pastor from Biden's
hometown of Wilmington, Delaware.
Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem and Lopez will give a
musical performance.
"They represent one clear picture of the grand diversity of our
great nation," his team said in a statement on Thursday.
The presenters reflect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala
Harris' "steadfast vision of a new chapter in our American story
in which we are an America united in overcoming the deep
divisions and challenges facing our people, unifying the
country, and restoring the soul of our nation," it added.
Their roles come as the Democrat takes over the White House from
Republican Donald Trump in a scaled-down event amid the COVID-19
pandemic and growing security concerns after a mob of Trump
supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol seeking to thwart
lawmakers' certification of Biden's victory.
The public will not be on hand to watch the swearing-in at the
West Front of the Capitol building, now fortified by fencing,
barriers and thousands of National Guard Troops.
In announcing the inauguration speakers, Biden's transition team
cited Lady Gaga's advocacy of LGBTQ rights and health issues,
and Lopez's work raising awareness about the disproportionate
impact of the novel coronavirus on Latinos.
Other speakers include career firefighter Andrea Hall of Fulton
County, Georgia, and Los Angeles native 2017 National Youth Poet
Laureate Amanda Gorman. Former Georgetown University President
Father Leo O’Donovan and Reverend Dr. Silvester Beaman of Bethel
African Methodist Episcopal Church - both close to the Biden
family - will also speak.
(Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Giles Elgood)
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