Aura of hope ahead of Obama's inauguration

Christchurch city councillor Yani Johanson, in Washington for Barack inauguration says there's an aura of hope among Americans

20 January 2009
President-elect Barack Obama and his family are devoting their day to public service, honouring Martin Luther King, Jr, ahead of tomorrow's inauguration ceremony.

Before taking the oath of office Mr Obama will attend three separate dinners tonight, honouring vice-president-elect Joe Biden, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Senator John McCain.

Michelle Obama and the couple's daughters Malia and Sasha will honour military families at a children's inaugural gala which will be broadcast on the Disney channel.

Yesterday, a star studded concert entitled "We Are One" was held at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered to hear singers including Bruce Springsteen and John Bon Jovi. Garth Brooks brought the concert to a close with the song American Pie.

A Christchurch City councilor who is on holiday in America says there is an aura of hope among Americans. Yani Johanson says, despite America's gloomy economy, everyone is feeling upbeat. He says Americans seem relieved and enthusiastic about their future. Mr Johanson says all hotels are booked out and traffic has been chaotic but the public transport system is coping well and everything seems to be well-organised.

In Wellington, members of the Wellington Peace Foundation are holding a special dinner tonight to mark the historic event. Spokesman Alyn Ware says Mr Obama has already shown signs of an inclusive style of leadership and that gives hope for a much more peaceful world. He believes the new presidency gives the people of the United States and the rest of the world a chance to work together, bridging national, ethnic, religious and political divides.

Mr Ware says his group has picked out a venue to match the swearing-in - the White House restaurant in Oriental Bay.

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