Tuesday was an amazing day. We planned to leave our hotel early to walk over to the Capitol and get in – thinking we would be fine on timing to find our seats for the swearing in. We had in mind that by walking, we would get our morning exercise and get our bodies warmed up before sitting out in the damp Washington chill.
When I got up at 5:30 am, someone shouted – “oh my gosh, it’s packed out there already!” We turned on the television and saw big crowds gathering all across the Mall. It was also icy cold and breezy.
So nine of us started out and walked from 21st and M Street to 16th Street, stopping for coffee and breakfast, then zigzagged through downtown to avoid the crowds and the barricades. Many downtown streets had been blocked off overnight - Metro buses were parked across 15th Street around McPherson Square; some streets were filled with temporary metal guards surrounded by unmarked police vehicles or military Hummers. National Guardsmen and women from Delaware covered H Street intersections, while City police from all over Texas helped at the Convention Center. As we walked, everyone was friendly, though it looked like the City could go into lockdown at any moment. When we arrived at New Jersey and D Streets, near Union Station and the Capitol, the crowds were getting larger, the pedicabs were getting stuck in the pedestrian traffic, and the hired cars were too.
Our group had to split up according to our different seating areas. Half of us had to walk all the way around the Capitol to find our entrances. But having a ticket and getting in line didn’t guarantee admission, as it turned out. There were numerous people who traveled all the way to Washington, were given tickets by Members of Congress, stood in line from pre-dawn and then never got into the seating areas. Security screening broke down because there wasn’t a back-up generator; one gate was shut because the crowd got too pushy.
We were lucky – we walked and we stood in line a long time, but we got through security! Then another slowdown immediately after (it turned out to be the line for the first set of restrooms!), then another line. Marine MPs and Navy ushers were so polite with the crowd, while maintaining order: firm, smiling, and keeping everyone (except a few Hollywood types) in control.
As we entered into the seating area, the program had started. We could hear the Boys Choir – they truly sounded like angels. As we got to our seats, the Marine Band played, other acts came and went, but when the former Presidents started to take their seats, the crowd paid attention. Then Senator Feinstein came to the microphone, and the ceremony began!
Celebrities from General Wesley Clark to Angela Bassett were gracious, even allowing pictures to be taken. We sat with Forest Whitaker and his family, as well as comedienne Kym Whitley, behind us; Tim Daly sat with friends and Lawrence O’Donnell with his daughter beside us; Cicely Tyson, Ice Cube, Lou Gossett, Jr. in front of us. But everyone was there as the same observer and recorder of history – dressed for the cold, taking pictures, applauding as officials and families entered the dais and all ready for a new President.
And then Vice President Biden took his oath from Justice Stevens. We cheered but waited for the headliner! President Obama (it was after 12 noon!) walked up to take his oath and we all really cheered. The oath was administered and we heard the two mistakes. But as soon as Chief Justice Roberts said “Congratulations Mr. President,” people around us hugged each other, hugged total strangers – it felt like passing the Peace at church. After hugging me, Kym Whitley said to me, “I feel like I just got married!!