Mississippians Report From Inauguration

Yesterday we brought you the story of a group of University of Mississippi students who traveled to Washington, D.C. with the director of the William Winter Institute. But although they had tickets to the inauguration, things didn’t quite go as planned as MPB’s Sandra Knispel reports.

“We were stuck in a press with about 10,000 people and not moving. And people pushing and shoving. A little old lady started to pass out and people weren’t letting doctors get to her,” said Susan Glisson, director of the University of Mississippi’s William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation.

After standing in line for six hours Glisson finally gave up trying to reach her assigned section.

“It was completely disorganized. We were there at 5 am and finally got out of there like at 11 and then tried to get on the Mall," Glisson explained. "And then they closed the Mall.”

Frustrated, Glisson returned to her accommodation in Bethesda, Maryland, to watch the inauguration on television. One who finally made it to his section in front of the Capitol was Patrick Weems, an Ole Miss philosophy senior from Madison. He reached the bleachers just before the ceremony began.

“We were able to at least see the stage and at least were Obama was. And you couldn’t really make out his face, but you could definitely tell that was him speaking," said Weems.

The cold kept him from concentrating much on the president’s speech. The most memorable part, Weems said, was the sheer endless crowd stretching from the Capitol all the way back to the Lincoln Memorial, definitely a record. Also in town was former Mississippi Governor William Winter, seated just 100 yards away from the stage.

"This was my 5th inauguration to attend," said Winter. The crowds exceeded anything that anyone had ever heard of in the past. Amazing number of people of every conceivable background, from all over the country. And it was a remarkable event. And an inspiring event and I was so pleased to be able to be here.”

Even to Glisson, who ended up watching the inauguration on television, the trip was still worth it.

“We walked the streets of D.C. yesterday and the feeling on the street was jubilant. You know people were calling out phrases like “freedom” and “yes we can” and everyone seemed so happy. So, we got to share in that spirit and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” Glisson added.

The group is driving back to Mississippi.

Sandra Knispel, MPB News, Oxford.