CLEVELAND — Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb was sworn in by Ohio Supreme Court Justice Melody Stewart in a virtual ceremony following his official swearing in on Jan. 2.
You can watch the ceremony in the player below:
The virtual ceremony was held at Music Hall in the Public Auditorium at 2 p.m. Saturday.
While the audience was limited to family, essential staff and members of the media due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 1,200 people registered to attend the in-person ceremony before it was changed to a virtual ceremony.
The ceremony featured singers, poetry and spoken word performances, and a speech from newly-elected Congresswoman Shontel Brown, who represents Ohio's 11th Congressional District.
As Bibb took the stage for his inaugural address, he looked back on Cleveland's history.
“Walking into city hall on Monday, I walked into the footsteps of iconic leaders like Carl Stokes and Michael R. White. I followed the longest serving mayor in Cleveland's history, Frank G. Jackson. And the magnitude of that moment, just five days ago, truly moved me," said Bibb.
He also looked towards the city's future. Bibb ran his campaign on a platform of change, and during his address he reiterated his pledge to focus on the systemic issues plaguing the city, like violence and poverty. He also called on Clevelanders to work together to make a difference.
“Achieving this promise will require all of us. All of us do the hard work of making our city that beacon of hope that we all aspire towards. And I know there is plenty of work ahead," said Bibb.
Bibb previously took the official oath of office inside his childhood library on Cleveland’s East Side on Jan. 2.
RELATED: WATCH: Cleveland Mayor-elect Justin Bibb takes oath of office
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