In the Crowd: President Obama's Inauguration

Like many, I found myself walking for hours in the early-morning cold, to secure a vantage place at the National Mall among a carpet of people that gathered for the swearing-in ceremony. Press credentials and even ticket holders to this historic event proved to be worthless on the day as many were turned away by DC police officers who seemed to have no idea what was going on despite weeks of prior preparation, leaving many frustrated finding alternative routes.

Crowds were thick, boisterous and friendly, with an estimated two million struggling to peer through the many heads at a Jumbrotron out of twenty that were placed there. I remember when we all laughed when the presenter told us to be seated, as there were no seats for miles on end, for nearly all of us. Emotions were running high, from booing George W. Bush and Dick Cheney as they entered the scene, to cheers when Barack Obama arrived and even when Bush left!

Only one voice could be heard for miles when Obama began his first speech as the first African-American President, touching the hearts of those who strained to hear him. There were spontaneous cheers during his speech and once it was over, many were wiping away tears, hugging and even dancing.
The photographs of the people I encountered were chosen to match the energy, excitement and hope of what this moment meant for all. As for me, I was happy to get a glimpse of heaven, even if it was for one day, where everyone stood together as one. Race, skin colour, disability, religion were dead for a day.