Biden plans Inauguration Day Snapchat lens along with blocked live event

With a pandemic underway and an unprecedented blockade of the nation’s capital, Joe Biden’s tenure will be different from those that came before it.

Biden’s inaugural committee has already planned a week of extensive televised events – such as live performances by Lady Gaga and Fall Out Boy – but to try to recreate the camaraderie of a live event, the team has also created a new way for supporters to participate virtually. .

On Wednesday, the Biden team will launch a Snapchat lens that transports users to the Capitol to participate from home. After the inaugural lens is selected on the Snapchat roll, users can take a selfie in front of the Capitol while confetti falls from above. If users turn the camera around, they will be greeted by a Biden Jumbotron in front of a crowd of attendees at the inauguration whose faces are selfies sent by online supporters.

The Snaphat lens will reproduce an exclusive message from Biden directly addressing Snapchatters. “Hey, Snapchat !! It’s me, Joe. Welcome to the grand opening! ” he says.

The lenses will also direct users who access them to a live broadcast of the opening event on Wednesday.

“This year’s inauguration has allowed us to create new, innovative and creative tools for Americans across the country to participate in inaugural traditions and ceremonies while staying at home to keep everyone safe,” said Christian Tom, digital director of the inaugural presidential committee. “We are thrilled that President-elect Biden shares his message about the unification of the country with Snapchat people and invites them to be part of this historic inauguration.”

Security measures made traditional selfies impossible, as much of Washington, DC was put under lockdown after the Capitol rebellion. The FBI warned of planned armed protests in the area, which encouraged the Department of Homeland Security to launch an inaugural security operation to keep the White House and Capitol safe during the inauguration events. About 21,000 members of the National Guard will be in DC on Wednesday to help protect the event.

The opening Snapchat lens is based on Biden’s augmented reality technology campaign used last year to get the vote. On a lens before election day, users could point their cameras at USPS mailboxes and receive instructions on how to vote by mail. Last September, the Biden team launched merchandise for players of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and later that fall he designed an entire island in the game for players to visit.

“We hope this tool will bring the inaugural experience to young Americans wherever they are and share it with their friends and family,” said Tom in a statement on the next lens.