In Washington D.C. this Saturday, hundreds of Obama supporters marched from Freedom Plaza down to the Lincoln Memorial, where they heard from an full lineup of performers and speakers to help rally support for Barack Obama.
Put together by the grassroots organization Diversity4Obama, the event highlighted the diverse population found throughout the D.C. metro area. Allison, who helped organize the gathering, shared some of her favorite moments.
Our event was amazing! So many people from all walks of life, all wearing Obama gear and holding their handmade signs. It was very inspiring. One of my favorite moments was when my two year old daughter couldn't contain herself and stood up on stage with a young hip hop group to sing and dance. The spirit had moved all of us. The backdrop of the Lincoln Memorial was so inspiring! So many people who were just sight-seeing had to stop and watch our rallly, and listen to all the great performers who came out in Obama's name. You could look up at the momument and see a sea of people there on the steps. Our speakers all encouraged the crowd to get out and help turn our neighboring state, Virgina, blue. The whole spirit of the event was a call to action.
In addition to raising awareness for the important issues facing their communities, Diversity4Obama urged people to register to vote and volunteer for more activities in the future. There was special attention given to the neighboring state of Virginia, an important battleground state that lies just across the river, where volunteers could have a huge impact in November.
Rachelle, the lead organizer from D.C., is excited to build on this event and further promote Barack's message of change.
In the sweltering sun and humudity, we marched right down the road beside the White House. Many spectators stopped to receive the election awareness info sheets that we had printed. Then, a tremendous show took place, and thousands of tourists from many different party lines came down to the front of the Lincoln Memorial. The networks and friendships that were built today will remain strong, and we're committed to turning Virginia blue and to keep election awareness active all year, every year.
Of the many terrific speakers that day, Jordan Hines, 17, received special recognition in the following News Journal article.
"When I was asked, I was just in awe," Hines said of his opportunity to speak where civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech 45 years before. "That's what got me. The saliva in my mouth just [dried] up when I realized that's where I would be speaking,"On Saturday, he looked out at the reflecting pool from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and he wanted to cry. He estimates that he spoke before more than 2,000 people, "a good chunk." The history of the spot at which he stood didn't escape him."When I saw the engraving on the steps where Dr. King stood," Hines said, "I looked down at the steps and just had to take a pause for a second."...One of the main goals of Diversity 4 Obama -- and for Hines -- is to get people to register to vote for Obama, who did not attend the rally."I want to get people registered -- not in the next hour, not in the next day, but now," said Hines, sounding a bit like the candidate, who he describes as his "muse" and "inspiration."To practice speaking and give students a chance to hear his speech, Hines delivered his nine-page oratory Friday to a class at the school. He wrote it at the end of July, and he has been working on his delivery since mid-August, he said. Christina Spadaro, 17, a senior at Cab Calloway, drove down to Washington with Hines and her parents "just for support for my best friend," she said. She has seen him speak before at smaller rallies."He always brings a lot of power. There's a good vibe to him. He's very caring. He's very entertaining," she said.
Sign up today to volunteer in Virginia, and be sure to watch out for all the great work that grassroots organizations like Diversity4Obama are doing in the future.
Comments are closed for this post.
