"It is clear that there were significant problems with managing crowds... There will be an after-action report compiled, not to cast blame, but to help us understand what mistakes were made so that we can make sure they are not repeated at future Inaugurals." - January 22, 2009, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)
This gallery is dedicated to all the North standing purple ticket holders that were denied access to the Inauguration Ceremonies on January 20, 2009. Capitol Police and the Secret Service were not prepared for the amount of ticket holders passing through the gate. Silver ticket holders mixed in and flooded the West Standing section designated for disabled guests. This mistake caused security to shut down the Purple entrance until order was later restablished. Unfortunetely, the amount of people let in was limited afterwards.
Thousands of ticket holders waited in line up to six hours with no information from the Capitol Police, Secret Service, the District Government, or the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies on what to do. When the cannons blew the gates closed and hopes of seeing President Obama fleeted. The only consolation was the fact that this Inauguration was not only about getting a glimpse of Barack Obama swearing in. This historical event was about celebrating the hope of change for everyone in our great nation. Power to the Purple!
Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:32:46 AM Walking South on North Capitol Street. Temperature 28 degrees Fahrenheit
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Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:33:45 AM Walking Accross Massachusetts Avenue. Temperature 28 degrees Fahrenheit
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Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:33:48 AM Vendors on Corner of Mass Ave and North Capitol Street
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Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:34:19 AM Closeup of Vendor Booths
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Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:36:19 AM North Capitol Street. Temperature 28 degrees Fahrenheit
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Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:37:18 AM North Capitol and Louisiana Ave. Temperature 28 degrees Fahrenheit
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Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:38:03 AM Walking Southwest on Louisiana Avenue.
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Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:38:49 AM Walking Southwest on Louisiana Avenue.
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Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:40:21 AM Walking Southwest on Louisiana Avenue.
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Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:41:24 AM One half block from Purple Gate Entrance Sign
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Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:42:16 AM Arrive at Purple Gate Entrance Sign
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Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:43:06 AM Yellow Ticket Holder line is on left. Purple ticket holder line is yet to be determined. I am surprised there is no staff to organize people.
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Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:44:42 AM Purple ticket holder line curves North on First Street NW. There is no personel to tell people where to go.
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Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:58:25 AM North View on First Street NW. The orderly line has turned into one giant mob of purple ticket holders filling the street.
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Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:58:40 AM South View on First Street NW. People are anxious for gates to open in one minute.
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