Liverpool's Black Community celebrates President Barack Obama's inauguration
An estimated 500 people crammed into Liverpool's Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre, Toxteth, to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States.
At exactly 5.05 pm the hall, where attendees watched on giant screens, erupted with thunderous applause as Barack Obama took the oath of office, thus confirming him as the first African American President of the most powerful country in the world.
The Liverpool event started at 3.30 pm and was attended by an impressive selection of members of the Black Community, old and young.
One elder, Herbie Higgins said, "After his election in November 2008 I prayed that he would be safe to make it to the inauguration day. Now it's actually happened, I am so overjoyed and wish him all the best for the future. It means so much to black people all over the world".
Another, historian Eric Lynch added, "This is an example of what can be achieved with education and a willingness to be politicised. We will never be able to achieve what Obama has achieved in Liverpool or the UK unless our black people are motivated into mainstream politics."
One younger member of the audience, historian and writer Laurence Westgaph said "This is truly a momentous occasion and we are all proud to witness history in the making. However, we should be cautious about placing too many expectations on Mr Obama. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating."
Garth Dallas, editor of Diverse magazine said, Mr Obama put the whole occasion in perspective when he stated, in his inauguration speech, that 60 years ago his father may not have been served in restaurants in the land where he is now taking the highest office. That is awesome. We salute America for taking the bold step in electing Mr Obama but more so, we salute the forerunners who paved the way for Barack Obama to even dare to dream of becoming the President of America."
Michelle Charters, Chief Executive of Kuumba Imani Millenium Centre said, "We are really pleased to host such a multi-organisation, celebratory event to recognise this historic day. The people who attended, young and old, black and white will always remember where they were, and what they were doing, at the moment when Barack Obama was inaugurated. They were in our Centre, and that makes me proud."
The event was sponsored by the Merseyside Black History Month Group, Pidgin Productions, L8 Create and Visual Impact. Mouth watering African Caribbean cuisine was provided by Culture Catering and The Afro-Caribbean and Friends Lunch Club.
