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Thousands Turn Out for Inauguration Event at L.A. Live

By Eric Richardson
Published: Tuesday, January 20, 2009, at 08:09AM
Early Crowd at L.A. Live Eric Richardson []

A crowd gathers for the Inauguration event at L.A. Live in Downtown Los Angeles.



DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — An estimated 1,500 - 2,000 turned out to L.A. Live's Nokia Plaza this morning to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Celebrants started to assemble as early as 4:30am, with the crowd swelling as the swearing-in grew closer.

The giant screen on the plaza showed a special feed assembled from CNN coverage and the events taking place on site at L.A. Live. Councilmembers Jan Perry, Jose Huizar and Tom LaBonge joined AEG CEO Tim Lieweke in welcoming the crowd and special guests.

The mood on the plaza was clearly one of celebration. The crowd waved flags and cheered every time the incoming President appeared on-screen. Smaller screens on towers along the plaza alternated between feed shots and images of the local audience.

Chick Hearn Court was closed off for the event, connecting Staples Center and the L.A. Live complex into a single public space. The crowd flowed across the street and into the Staples courtyard as the swearing-in grew close.

Media outlets were out in force, with KTLA anchoring live coverage from the plaza. Trucks were also on-hand for ABC, NBC, CBS and several Spanish-language outlets.

AEG, developer of the L.A. Live complex, has long spoken of Nokia Plaza as a space for public functions.

Our first version of this story, published at 8:09am, contained this text:

By 7:30am, several hundred celebrants were gathered on L.A. Live's Nokia Plaza, watching a special feed of Presidential Inauguration events from Washington D.C.. Many had gotten to the plaza as early at 4:30am in hopes of securing a prime viewing spot. The final crowd should be much larger, as a steady flow of new arrivals have been making their way into the complex all morning.

Councilwoman Jan Perry kicked things off, welcoming the crowd to a historic day before introducing a stream of special guests.

Events on the plaza will run into the afternoon, with on-site entertainment and a live broadcast of the parade from Washington.

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Conversation

Guest 1

Haven on January 20, 2009, at 12:47PM – #1

We have moved further and further away from the idea and reality of a physical, social gathering space, so to see a place in Downtown LA used as such is - well.. hopeful. Its reflective of the spirit that accompanies the new Obama administration - one of a unity and commonality rather than division and difference.


Eric Richardson () on January 20, 2009, at 02:29PM – #2

I thought the space worked perfectly for this sort of event. With Chick Hearn closed, it's a really nice sized open space, and the screens and sound are great.


Guest 2

Pamela James on January 20, 2009, at 02:47PM – #3

Surely god have bless america. Martin luther King Jr predicted this even, we have reach the mountain top, there is nothing that we the people can,t do . I am so bless to have been a part of this history making process, I have migrated to the United States over 20 years and I can truely say I am proud to be an american. I am so elated as tears fill my eyes as I listen to my , our President Obama sworn in to his new position, the first black President of the United States of America,Dr. King paved the way for us. I am over joyed. May the Lord guide and protect our President. This will be a day I will remeber for the rest of my life. President Obama have touch us all with his eloquent, truthful, peacful, loving words. American change is here and now. We can, America, America, We can as Dr. Martin said we shall overcome and yes we did.


Guest 3

Brigham on January 20, 2009, at 07:15PM – #4

I guess we were right about LA Live being a place people would gather for events just like this.

Christopher Hawthorne, eat your heart out!


Guest 4

benjamin on January 20, 2009, at 07:35PM – #5

wow i cant believe it!


Bryan Frank on January 21, 2009, at 11:04AM – #6

So cool. As much as I try not to let myself fall into a blogging rut by visiting the same sites over and over, I've failed. Now I'm kicking myself for not being a regular because I've known about blogdowntown, but very rarely visited. Boy, that's sure gonna change.

It was great to meet Eric yesterday at LA Live. I dig what you guys are doing.

If it's okay, I'm going to hang out here more often.


Eric Richardson () on January 21, 2009, at 11:06AM – #7

You're welcome here any time, Bryan. I apologize for thinking your first name was Frank yesterday.


Bryan Frank on January 21, 2009, at 11:52AM – #8

Funny thing, I have three first names and have always gladly answered to any of them. No worries at all.


Guest 5

kay on January 22, 2009, at 04:04PM – #9

Definitely the best event I've experienced at LA LIVE so far. Too bad about what I can only surmise was a technical glitch with the inaugural poem -- we could see the poet, but not hear her for most of the poem. While this was covered by the singer David Gaines, it was disappointing to cut into the poem midway through and not be able to hear the whole thing.


Michelle Due̱as Nakaji on January 23, 2009, at 03:05AM Р#10

Aww...too bad. It would've been nice to meet you there, Eric! It was such a great way to share this experience. Hopefully we'll start to see more events like this in the future at L.A. Live.



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