Digital News Report- Not everyone can afford to hop on a plane and witness the historic inauguration of Barack Obama in person, but there are many options to celebrate the occasion right here in the bay area. Whether you are looking for a way to get politically active, a party, or just a low-key viewing, there is something in the bay area for you.
Amnesty International and NEXTArts are co-sponsoring the city of San Francisco Live Simulcast of the Inauguration of Barack Obama. Amnesty International will use this opportunity to build support for the organization’s 100 Days of Action campaign. The campaign will focus on urging the new administration to undertake concrete human rights reforms, particularly the abuses at Guantanamo Bay.
This event will take place at 9 a.m. in Civic Center Plaza in front of San Francisco’s City Hall. In lieu of a formal ticket, attendees of this event are asked to bring socks or underwear with the tags still attached to be donated to homeless groups citywide.
The Metreon will be hosting an event called Inauguration West, which will take place from 6:00pm to 10:00pm on Inauguration Day. This event will feature live entertainment such as Morris Day and the Time and the Bay Area’s popular Rick and Russ Show. The Inaugural Ball will be broadcast live on the big screens and you will be treated to complimentary Champaign. Tickets start at $75.
For a more low key option, try the San Francisco Public Library. The event starts at 9:00am in the Koret Auditorium of the Main Library and will feature a live televised broadcast of the Inauguration.
“This is a momentous occasion for America, the election of an African American president, and even doubly so for African American communities who are looking at this past election and its outcome as miraculous and earth shaking,” said African American Center Librarian Stewart Shaw.
For those who are a bit removed from San Francisco and can’t make the drive, there are events in Santa Cruz and the South Bay. One such event is the Inaugural Bagel Buffet in Santa Cruz starting at 8:00am at the Democratic Party office in the Santa Cruz Galleria, 740 Front Street, Suite 165. The event will feature patriot red, white, and blue bagels and a big screen projection of the live broadcast.