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Washington DC Photo Gallery Purple Gate: Obama...

Purple Gate: Obama Inaugural Purple Ticket-Holder Turmoil

"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!

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Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:32:46 AM

Walking South on North Capitol Street. Temperature 28 degrees Fahrenheit

2877 views

Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:33:45 AM

Walking Accross Massachusetts Avenue. Temperature 28 degrees Fahrenheit

2220 views

Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:33:48 AM

Vendors on Corner of Mass Ave and North Capitol Street

2241 views

Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:34:19 AM

Closeup of Vendor Booths

2135 views

Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:36:19 AM

North Capitol Street. Temperature 28 degrees Fahrenheit

2255 views

Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:37:18 AM

North Capitol and Louisiana Ave. Temperature 28 degrees Fahrenheit

2164 views

Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:38:03 AM

Walking Southwest on Louisiana Avenue.

2184 views

Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:38:49 AM

Walking Southwest on Louisiana Avenue.

2192 views

Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:40:21 AM

Walking Southwest on Louisiana Avenue.

2184 views

Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:41:24 AM

One half block from Purple Gate Entrance Sign

2175 views

Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:42:16 AM

Arrive at Purple Gate Entrance Sign

2241 views

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.

2264 views

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.

2157 views

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.

2245 views

Tue 20 Jan 2009 07:58:40 AM

South View on First Street NW. People are anxious for gates to open in one minute.

2028 views
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