BOSTON—More than 340 people came to the Boston Public Library’s viewing party for the 44th Presidential Inauguration in Copley Square on Tuesday morning.
The Rabb Lecture Hall filled up and the crowd spilled over to a side room as the ceremony progressed to President Barack Obama’s Oath of Office and speech. The audience cheered, laughed and occasionally jeered President George Bush when he appeared on the projection screen.
“To hear the cheering and applause—it means a lot to be here,” Mary Bender, the library’s manager of communication, said as she teared up. “It’s what a library should do. It’s about ideas.”
Bender said six other branches of the Boston Public Library were also showing the inauguration in different neighborhoods around the city. The screenings were planned early on for those who would want to watch the event with company.
“Obviously people came out in the cold and snow, so they wanted to see it with other people instead of seeing it alone,” Bender said.
When President Barack H. Obama was announced, tumultuous applause in the auditorium was accompanied by a Native American cry. As the Oath of Office began, the entire room stood in unison with the crowds filling the National Mall in Washington D.C.
“I think this is a great day for America,” Steve Shannon of Boston said as he watched the screen.
The president’s speech began by reminding America of the troubles that still haunt the country and of the challenges that lie ahead. He acknowledged a “sapping of confidence” of the American people but assured them the issues would be faced.
“Starting today, we will pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin the remaking of the state of America,” Obama said.
In his speech, the president referred to the values inherent in America’s founding to show those who are skeptical of the nation’s recovery that America is still capable of leadership, equality and freedom. He indirectly addressed the actions of the Bush administration and reached out to countries across the globe.
“To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward with mutual interests and mutual respect,” Obama said. “We will extend a hand, if you are willing to unclench your fist.”
In the Rabb Lecture Hall, President Obama received a standing ovation.
“I think it’s an amazing point in history. His speech was wonderful,” Joanne Peters of Brockton said. “He fulfills Martin Luther King’s dream for all Americans.”
Jeff Avallon of Boston said he liked the way Obama spoke to the world, because his presidency is a “turning point” for America’s image. He said Obama’s mention of the Founding Fathers and their central ideas “apply to everyone.”
Avallon’s business partner, John Goscha of Colorado, said he distinguished Obama’s speech from President Bush in that Obama welcomed the entire world to unite. Goscha said he thought Obama was positive but realistic.
“I appreciated the way he spoke about sacrifice and hard times ahead,” Goscha said. “He wasn’t too dreamy.”
Kendra al-Kaleem of Boston said she came to the library to watch the inauguration because the institution represents knowledge, learning and community. She said she thought the ceremony was a symbol of changes to come for America.
“Just the fact that we’ve elected and inaugurated the first African American president when we came here in shackles and chains—this country has grown up from teargas and dogs,” al-Kaleem said.
Theodore Ross, a former economist from Boston, said Obama’s speech showed that the new president understands the changing scope of technology and its potential uses. He said that certain innovations that could help civilians are usually known only to the military.
“He’s even more ahead than I imagined,” Ross said. “He understands it, and he’ll make good decisions because of that.”
Several people in attendance at the library’s viewing, such as Susan Kron of Boston, said they came to share the moment with a group of people. Kron said she felt elated and hopeful at the end of Obama’s speech.
“It’s the beginning of goodness again,” she said.
Other people, like Joe Hogan of Boston, said they worked at the library and were giving up their lunch breaks to come to the viewing. Hogan, who is a capital planning officer for the library, said he liked how Obama asked the whole country to have more civic involvement.
“Hopefully people, especially poor and underprivileged people, will have a greater voice,” Hogan said.
Sarah Marquez, a Colombian student learning English in Boston, said she congratulates America on Obama’s inauguration.
“It was awesome, he makes me cry, almost,” she said. “He will be the best president.”
Marlea Harger of Newton said she feels positive about the future, because Obama appeared calm and in control of the problems facing America.
Dawna Jones-Hodge of Milton said the occasion is especially important to her because of her African American heritage and family history. She brought pictures of her parents and a Bible with her to the viewing.
“I was old enough to remember segregation and the South and when Dr. King died. My parents lived through that,” Jones-Hodge said. “Slavery is only one generation away; my grandmother was a slave.”
She said Obama cannot be expected to solve every problem, but the significance of his inauguration is the start of improvement.
“I feel like now we have somebody to represent everybody,” Jones-Hodge said. “I’m happy to be a part of it.”
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