I stepped onto the Mall as "Pride (In the Name of Love)" was playing, a rebroadcast–this time with Bishop Robinson’s speech–of Sunday’s concert. And the mood was jubilant, despite the day’s slightly confusing and delayed start for those walking onto the Mall. We were held up at the 7th St entrance to walk over because of what was said to be a broken water main and redirected to 3rd where we were told to go back to 7th, but eventually 3rd was open and we walked. And walked, a voyage of a million steps across the centuries though the 3rd St tunnel. There were older ladies in  full length minks, hundreds of them, mother and grandmothers. There were kids and teens and families.  One woman I spoke with flew in with her three kids, one in a stroller to show them this historic moment.

On the Mall, Bush 43 was booed, as was Cheney; Carter and the Clintons were cheered. People climbed up trees and on top of Portapotties (the lines to use them weren’t that bad at 10 am btw) Anytime the camera showed PEBO,  whoops went up, and after he took the oath of office the women around me began to cry.