Eva Longoria delivers rousing speech at the Latino Inaugural 2021

Eva Longoria gave a rousing opening speech offering hope as she presented the Official Latino Inaugural 2021 on Tuesday evening. 

Ahead on Wednesday’s inauguration of President Elect Joe Biden, the Desperate Housewives star, 45, joined Lin-Manuel Miranda in hosting the hour-long stream, which aimed to show the Latino American narrative in the United States.

In her incredible opening speech, Eva paid tribute to Latino workers fighting coronavirus on the frontline, condemned the Capitol rioters for ‘threatening our democracy’ and lauded the future President for offering hope. 

Hope: Eva Longoria gave a rousing opening speech offering hope as she presented the Official Latino Inaugural 2021 on Tuesday evening

Eva hosted the event via the video link as she presented the event – entitled Official Latino Inaugural 2021: Inheritance, Resilience & Promise – which also featured Lin-Manuel, John Leguizamo, Becky G, Ivy Queen, Gilberto Santa Rosa and Shaggy.

In her opening speech, she spoke of the COVID-19 pandemic which has ravaged the world and killed 402,000 Americans, and praised Latina workers – who make up 18% of the US population, of which 30% are essential workers. 

Her other main point of reference was the riots on Capitol Hill, which took place earlier this month when supporters of the current President Donald Trump stormed the building to fight against Biden’s victory in heartbreaking scenes. 

Eva said: ‘We all know this has been a difficult time for our country. Already this new year we’ve witnessed the very heart of our democracy being threatened during an assault on our nation’s Capitol building…

Impassioned: Ahead on Wednesday's inauguration of President Elect Joe Biden, the Desperate Housewives star, 45, joined Lin-Manuel Miranda in hosting the hour-long stream, which aimed to show the Latino American narrative in the United States

Impassioned: Ahead on Wednesday’s inauguration of President Elect Joe Biden, the Desperate Housewives star, 45, joined Lin-Manuel Miranda in hosting the hour-long stream, which aimed to show the Latino American narrative in the United States

‘It’s a day that will live and end for me and have ripple effects long after the siege and during all of this the nation continues its battle against COVD-19…

‘For almost a year this pandemic has changed the way we live and relentlessly challenged our selfless hospital and healthcare workers…

‘In our community, we know the toll the virus all too well. Latino’s are 18% of the population but 30% of all essential workers. That’s your teachers, your grocery clerks, your bus drivers and your farm workers…

An honour: In her incredible opening speech, Eva paid tribute to Latino workers fighting coronavirus on the frontline, condemned the Capitol rioters for 'threatening our democracy' and lauded the future President for offering hope

An honour: In her incredible opening speech, Eva paid tribute to Latino workers fighting coronavirus on the frontline, condemned the Capitol rioters for ‘threatening our democracy’ and lauded the future President for offering hope

An honour: ‘Our community has defined what it means to be essential. But now after months of loss and hardship and uncertainty there is finally light at the end of the tunnel we know that help is on the way today’

‘Our community has defined what it means to be essential. But now after months of loss and hardship and uncertainty there is finally light at the end of the tunnel we know that help is on the way today.

‘Tonight we honour Vice President Elect Kamala Harris and President Elect Joseph R Biden who have a plan to heal our country…

‘We honour the millions of Americans tonight who lifted their voices in November to call for their leadership and compassion. your efforts, your votes, your energy. Your love for this county made this day possible…

Striving: 'We've remained resilient even in the face of injustice then and now Still we prosper, still we thrive... for me that's a badge of honour. Lets look at a few contributions Latinos have made'

Striving: ‘We’ve remained resilient even in the face of injustice then and now Still we prosper, still we thrive… for me that’s a badge of honour. Lets look at a few contributions Latinos have made’

‘Over the last 500 years we shaped the history of the Americas and for the last 244 we’ve been an essential part of the United States we’ve always fought to make this a better nation to leave a greater legacy, to leave a better future for our children…

‘We’ve remained resilient even in the face of injustice then and now Still we prosper, still we thrive… for me that’s a badge of honour. Lets look at a few contributions Latinos have made…

‘We’ve always faced an uphill battle but we’ve never quit. COVID has decimated our communities but our essential workers continue to teach, labour and serve on the frontline. Together our fortitude moves us forward.’ 

Reaching out: She honoured Kamala Harris and Joe Biden

Reaching out: She honoured Kamala Harris and Joe Biden

A presidential inauguration is typically a joyous event full of pomp and circumstance, with hundreds of thousands gathering on the National Mall in Washington to hear the incoming Commander in Chief lay out his vision for the country.

This year, however, the Mall will be shut down to visitors, and only a small number of attendees will be permitted to watch Biden take the oath of office and deliver his first speech as president.

Instead of a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, there will be a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. Instead of balls, there will be Zoom parties. 

The Capitol building is seen with decorative flags on the National Mall on Tuesday in Washington, DC. Tight security measures are in place for Inauguration Day due to greater security threats after the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6

The Capitol building is seen with decorative flags on the National Mall on Tuesday in Washington, DC. Tight security measures are in place for Inauguration Day due to greater security threats after the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6

Instead of hundreds of thousands congregating on the Capitol grounds and on the National Mall, there will be thousands of National Guard members.

The measures reflect restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus and heightened security after a mob of Trump supporters breached the Capitol two weeks ago, sending lawmakers into hiding and leaving five people dead, including a police officer.

Tens of thousands of National Guard troops have been deployed in the U.S. capital after law enforcement warned some extremist Trump backers were calling for more violence.