Magdaleno

Dear Sisters and Brothers

 

We need to find a way to get the stimulus package approved.  Everyday we hear about more jobs being lost and more houses being forclosed..And some cities are seeing a spike in certain crimes as a result of this economic mess.

Today some republicans are playing games and slowing down this effort to give our economy an infusion of money that can and will create jobs. We might need to call in and demonstrate at some congressional offices in the days ahead…

Today’s Ahora will continue to concentrate on the inauguration and all that it meant to so many…

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THE INAUGURATION

I was in the Washington DC since the 12^th of January and was able to watch the number of tourists grow in the city … it was amazing to see the streets getting more crowded and it took almost as long to get the people out of the city .. I was working at IRD‘s office in Arlington and was able to be there at this most important time.

The city was organized and only taxis and buses were allowed in the city on inauguration day.  My spouse Carolyn got an apartment two blocks from the White House and that was our headquarters over this wonderful week. In the end she got a purple ticket and was closer than most in the mall and had to stand for many hours in the cold …

Days before barricades were set up on the side walks so that they could easily push on to the streets ..This is not to mentions the thousands of PORTA POTTIES or toilets that were unloaded at key areas on the mall and in the surrounding area. On the night of the 19^th the barricades came together,, and there were only so many places where you could enter the mall

It was a magical time to be in Washington.

 

What I saw in Washington DC was what we have all expected of America. It was the America I have dreamed about. It was people of all walks of life walking, talking and smiling together. People helped each other were polite to each other and often hugged each other with out knowing whom they were hugging. These huge rivers of people were a sight to see… it was so beautiful that often I would just stand there and just watch in amazement…

I also saw this kind of energy at the funeral of Cesar Chavez and at the massive Immigration marches of a few years ago.. but the inauguration gathering took us all to a new and higher level.

This city became a slow moving river of people who were one for many days and it was beautiful to watch.

 

Vendors

Jack Lieberman his wife Marilyn and staff from Miami were in DC selling my favorite Obama products.  They were there in the cold amongst the many approved and unapproved vendors who sold just about everything that you wanted to have that had Obama’s name or picture.

 

SOUTH AFRICANS

At this inauguration I was able to connect with two important South Africans Lulama Ntshingwa and Ntsiki Langford whom we had known when we lived in New York. They like so many left the violence and the apartheid system of South Africa. I met them about 1987-89.

Lulama a South African Anglican priest was arrested by the Sheriffs department in 1993 in Altadena for basically jogging while black in a rich white neighborhood. I was working with Amnesty International and we did a press release protesting the harassment of this man of peace. In the days following I got a number of serious threats saying they were going to kill me and that other black person (in all the threats they called us the N word). The threats were serious and I had to move out of my house for several weeks.

Lulama and I recalled this as he and his family celebrated with us Obama’s inauguration.

I joked telling him that in Pasadena I was living as a Mexican but I almost died a black man.

In 1989 around that time I was living in New York when a friend Ntsiki Langford lost her son Bangile who had gone back to South Africa to work with the youth.  I ended up writing two poems for her son which she later used for his funeral program and some words of one of my poems is on his tomb stone in Soweto.

After the book LOOKING FOR MY WINGS was printed I could not find her. I had put both of his poems in the books.  Many months ago I send her emails and she finally called me four days before Obama’s inauguration. I decided then to send her the book over night not telling her the book had the poems about her son. The book arrived in New Jersey two hours before the inauguration.. She called …she was ecstatic to get the book with the poems in it about her son and on the Obama inauguration day.

 

LOTS OF FRIENDS

Many individuals that I know got to the Inauguration and I only got to see a handful of them.. .folks were at the concert, at MLK events, on the mall for the inauguration and some went to balls. I am so happy that they could all be there and enjoy this most incredible event… and when I catch up with them I hope to hear their stories and see their pictures.

 

WATCHING ON TELEVISION

Many Americans and other around the world and gathered to watch this magical event by watching in community via television or the internet. And these folks also had very special experiences because they shared this magic time with others.

 

ECO-SENSITIVE TRANSPORTATION

A organization handed out something like 2,000 bicycles to folks attending the Inauguration so that they could get around downtown DC given that many roads were restricted to only buses and taxis… they said they got back every one of their bikes and that is wonderful

 

THE CONCERT

I had expected a Rock Concert on the mall … instead it was a wonderful mix of music with many supporting choirs… I enjoyed them all but in particular I was taken that Obama had Garth Brooks the most popular HAT … COUNTRY MUSIC ACT who gave a great performance ..Garth Brook’s performance will reach a new segment of our country that needs to celebrate Obama… and all of this was done at the Lincoln Memorial. It was great after the concert and to see the happy faces and the good people as the streamed out of the mall .. Reminding me of a major river like the Mississippi but this made up of so many people from so many places both rich and poor.

MLK DAY

DEBRA LIVINGSTON and the National Rural Coalition.

On Monday the 19^th I went to Dumbarton Church to celebrate Kings Birthday and to hear my old friend Rudy Arredondo play some music, this event was sponsored by the National Rural Coalition.

I was surprised by the most personal testimonies by so many at the event which chronicled their lives and the intersection of civil rights. I was impressed by the personal insights and courage by those in the audience… some of the testimony talked about white people finally finding a voice for civil rights in a difficult time.

I got up and said a few words… wanting to share my love for MLK … and justice. One of the last to speak was a woman Debra Livingston who was a good and strong voice. She came up later and reminded me that in about 1982 we did voter registration and education for a young congressional candidate in I believe Connecticut. She claims that I set her on her path to do community work … but as we all know we help each other to remain faithful to the best in our hearts.

When Rudy dropped tried to drop me off at the apartment at H&15 which is two blocks from the White House we found many streets closed and the streets congested with traffic that included many foreigners…it took us an hour to do a 15 minute trip .. Rudy finally dropped me off with his guitar .. Which was in a professional padded case… I was afraid that given the security that we might have trouble getting his guitar past Secret Service Security on Inauguration. You had to be on a list to get to our apartment and it was much worse than any airport security.

I got out on H Street and found it filled with thousands of festive individuals.. It was so wonderful that you wanted just to be swept away with the crowds… there I was on a busy street with a guitar in hand… It was the night before the grandest of all inaugurations.

A couple of guys came by and asked ARE YOU ONE OF THE MUSICIANS..

Meaning was I playing at one of the many musical events…

YES I AM ..I said getting out a little brown lie.

I BET YOU ARE GOING TO PLAY GREAT MUSIC …one of them smiled and hugged me close

THANK YOU … it was love at first hug…

Later that weekend I was hugged many times more by strangers (and I didn’t have to lie)…some thinking I was black hugged me some giving me a fist bump. … .. Bundled as I was for the cold you could not tell who was what..Race and gender disappeared by behind the many layers of clothing..

There was a great attitude of sharing and cooperativeness and acceptance… it felt good.

You could already notice the many super limos as they seemed to multiply by the hour. Motorcades were every where and being close to the White House I saw Obama’s motorcade more than once and waved….

I wanted to yell …HEY BARACK .. IT’S ME LENO…

But he would probably not have recognized me in my igloo of coats, scarf’s, hat and gloves… LOL.. I looked like everyone else except a bit larger.

 

The Oath of Office..

Many of us were taken in by the various elements of the inauguration, some loved the poet, some Warren some Aretha Franklin, but the favorite amongst many was Reverend Joseph Lowery. Joe was the former Director of the Southern Christian Leadership Council.  When I worked for Amnesty International in Atlanta I worked with Lowery on many events and marched side by side with him in Atlanta, Houston and other locations.

Joe would call me often to give him talking points on human rights situations. I last talked to him two years ago when I was trying to get him to Seattle to speak.

We at amnesty held a conference in Atlanta on the death penalty in 1986 and had rev. Joseph lowery, Coretta Scott king, Martin King the third, congressman John Conyers, Congress man John Lewis and Ron Hampton of the Black Police association. It was a great meeting on the death penalty and at this even I got to introduce Lowery and did it almost as good as any junior black minister.

Lowery got up to speak after my introduction which had the African Americans shouting and saying many Amends as I tried to get them primed for Joe  Lowery… he looked at me smiling and said NOT BAD FOR A CHICANO

Yes I was in Washington DC for the Inauguration activities. .. It was wonderful … it was beautiful and memorable… I was here in the historical moment of a life time…

IT WAS COLD … did I say it was cold …

But the Presidents words were serious and most important… at last we has a president who could speak English…

People watched in person on jumbo torn screens on the mall, on television, and on the internet .. More people watched this inauguration in the USA and internationally and ever before.

In the mall and in the streets around the mall represented people from all over the world. Many Africans were found in the crowd and most of them not ready for the bitter cold

On the mall there were people from all over the world.…

People shared gloves, hats, scarf’s chemical warmers for the hands.. and many many smiles

On Sunday before the Inauguration I went to the church where Abe Lincoln used to go and now has a ministry to the homeless.

Police came from many cities at one point the camera showed a line of about 100 Miami Police.. now I know that these police were having trouble with the weather..But they did their work and went home a bit frozen but happy I am sure…

It was beautiful to be a part of this event that stretched its arms around the world.

 

IMAGES

Leno!

I wished I’d known you were going to be in DC–I should’ve guessed!  I was there with my family, freezing on the mall but so very happy to be part of this history.  Our little YouTube video is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsVGVOfkyKw

Peace and hope!

–Lori Walls

 

Photos from around the world

These pictures from here and around the world are beautiful and almost surreal.  Click on the link and keep scrolling.  ! I don’t think there has ever been a moment in history so uniting and so far reaching…,cutting across countries, oceans, cultures, socio-economic classes, and religions, as this one!!  Courtesy of the Boston Globe, they should get an award in photojournalism for this!   Enjoy. 

Sent by Zafeiria C Nomicos

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/01/the_inauguration_of_president.html

THE INAUGURAL EXPERIENCE OF SYLVIA QUINN

            She is a first time voter and an immigrant mother from Nicaragua…

Obama’s victory as President-Elect was of special significance to me.  It was the first election in which I was able to participate and have my vote count.  My parents sacrificed everything – families, careers, friends – to bring us over to the United States so that we could grow up in a peaceful and opportune country.  Nicaragua was in the midst of a civil war, and the decision was made to come to America.

When it was announced that Obama had won the election, I was overwhelmed with emotion.  All I could think was, “This is the country my father died for!”.  This is the America we immigrated to, where dreams really do come true!

I didn’t think I would be able to attend the Inauguration.  I have a young family, was starting at a new job, and was financially intimidated by the inflated prices of room, board, and airfare into Washington, D.C., due to the tremendous demand.  ”You’re going to pay over $1,000 for the plane ticket” “Hotel rooms are going for $600-$800 per night” “Everything is already sold out”.

My boss realized that I was interested in attending the Inauguration, and with an incredible act of kindness, arranged it so that I would work the weekend prior to the 20th and have those days off.  So on Thursday, January 15th at 4 pm, my trip to DC was approved and my plane ticket was purchased.  I was to leave from work and return to work on a budget airline from Ft. Lauderdale, catching a red-eye flight.  I didn’t know what I would do when I got there or where I would stay, but I was going!  I was elated.  I began calling friends and family to share the good news, hoping also that a place to lay my head would turn up.

It so happened that my cousin resides in Alexandria and would be out of town for Inauguration.  From one day to the next, I had an apartment (and car!) if needed.  I had to plan my stay very carefully, since the Metro into DC was going to be running at capacity that morning.  Then, on Monday the 19th, when I was to fly out straight from the office, “floor space” opened up at a friend-of-a-friend’s place, 2 blocks from the Capitol grounds!  Bring a sleeping bag, read the e-mail, but I had already packed and did not have one available.  Off I went to begin my Inauguration adventure!

I felt that my trip started at the airport.  The flights were full, and all delayed.  It didn’t matter.  We were going to be a part of history in a few hours.  People from all walks of life were traveling to support Barack Obama at his swearing-in ceremony: families, elected officials, campaign workers, young children, couples, African-Americans and every other race on our planet.  Our luggage took over an hour to appear on the carousel, but that was alright, we knew that the airport staff probably had to go through each piece meticulously, and the sheer number of travelers was placing additional stress on the usual operations.

I realized that it was going to be colder than I was normally accustomed to (Miami is typically 80 degrees unless there is a cold front) so I tried to pack accordingly.  However, I was not prepared for the frigid chill that awaited me as I stepped outside of the airport doors!  I was high off the excitement of my arrival, but my body had trouble coping: my eyes watered, my nose ran, and my face began to take on a bright red hue.  I arrived at my more than hospitable hosts’ home extremely grateful to have a warm place to stay the night.  The building security was very tight, as secret service had barricaded access to the street, and there were counter-snipers stationed on the rooftop.  I had to show identification, and I was not to leave the building without it, or risk being not allowed in!

The news coverage quickly pointed to those who would camp-out on the grounds from 3:00 am.  My head was racing with my upcoming preparations – where I would need to walk, what I could bring, how early I would have to get up and going.  Although I didn’t think I could, my hosts recommended that I try to sleep, for the day ahead of me would take a lot of energy.  Incredibly enough, a neighbor was able to provide an air mattress for me, and I found sleep easily under a pile of thick blankets.

Morning came quickly.  I nourished my body with a light breakfast, layered my clothing, and laid out the maps of the mall and center streets.  Dumping my large tote, I opted to take only the essentials in my coat pockets.  I was concerned about my shoes.  Since I had left straight from work, the plan had been to buy a comfortable, flat pair of boots.  I was ready as I was ever going to be, and I made my way into the crowd.

Streets were shut-off at different points leading into the mall.  As the mass filled-in, access was closed off.  We overheard, “You will eventually be able to make a Left. Then you have reached The Mall”.  Some ran, others had a steady pace.  All were bundled, walking briskly, following the throngs of people, a herd seeking the first available opening onto the lawn.  Lights and sirens would break through the streets, disrupting the flow momentarily.  Armed guards, security, and police manned the barricades.  The parade route was closed for the later spectators.  Eventually, I arrived at a clearing.  Ahead was the Washington Monument, and the crowd was filling in the empty spaces.  To my right were rows and rows of portable toilets.  I found a screen, and parked myself in front of it.  I didn’t want to lose visibility or my ability to hear the ceremony.   I quickly made friends with those around me (we were only standing right next to each other since 9 am).

The hours to follow tested my mettle.  An intense headache would come and go.  My toes began to go numb.  I knew my shoes weren’t the ones appropriate for the weather, and it was affecting me.  There were times when I thought that I would make the news, this girl from Miami fainting in the crowd.  A woman in front of me overheard my predicament, and gave me warmers to put inside my shoes.  I thanked her, and found my second wind.  The sun began to rise up higher in the sky, and that helped somewhat.  Although, when the motorcade started to arrive, I almost forgot about the cold.  Soon we were lost in the cheering and squeals of joy, and President-Elect became the 44th President of the United States of America.  Hugs were exchanged, kisses were given, tears streamed down, laughter erupted, and silence ensued once our new President began addressing the nation, millions hanging onto every word, absorbing the enormity of the task ahead.

Later, I ventured into the city.  There was an electricity palpable from the shared experience.  Songs could be heard throughout the crowd, as millions left the capital grounds.  The city was alive with hope, a feeling unlike any other.  What a magical time to be in our nation’s capital, witnessing a historical event of fantastic proportions.

 

CAN YOU SHARE YOUR STORY OR THOUGHTS

Many of you celebrated or witnessed this event in many different ways … and I would love sharing your experience with others

I send my best

leno

Dear Sisters and Brothers

I came to Washington DC on the 12th to work at the head quarters of International Relief and Development the organization with which I work. I had already planned to attend the Inaugural activities and then make my way to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for the national conference of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.

Arriving in DC I saw the many barricades already in place so that they could be erected by the 19^th and in place for the 20^th.  I saw thousands of port a potties or toilets in place and more continued to trickle in over the weekend. There are more police, military, FBI Secret Service and other security individuals on the streets and revisiting buildings on the parade route.  The apartment where we are staying is only two blocks from the White House and anyone entering the building will have to be on a list and there will be sharp shooters on the roof on inauguration day.

Moving around the city you see many other preparations being made….the parade viewing stands were up and as the days moved forward they began closing off streets.

I am writing as I listen to the concert at the Lincoln Memorial what a moving event..Finally I went out to the mall and got in the mix and it was wonderful

HISTORY CANT WAIT

 

During the past month we have lived through a most challenging time in the history of our county. We are involved in two wars, our president has damaged the constitution and our bill of rights, our economy is in the trash can and too many are unemployed or underemployed. Today many are losing their homes and businesses. We are near the bottom of a total economic and political meltdown.

And History can not wait .. .we must take action and we must defend the rights and the lives of everyone… HISTORY CANT WAIT…

The Inaugural Invitation

I received about 10 days ago like many donors did a beautifully printed COMMERATIVE INVITATION with wonderful printing … something that should be framed and saved …the Obama campaign has taken steps to recognize the many that have supported this campaign over the many months. But if you didn’t get thanked then let this be your big thank you and hug.

 

THE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGUATION COMMITTEE

A Friend Bobbie who has been volunteering at the committee hooked me up so that I could volunteer some hours calling folks to volunteer for activities on Inauguration Day.

Our calls were to confirm the availability of folks to volunteer at the Convention Center where there will be a number of balls and other activities.. The names we were calling were folks that had offered to volunteer weeks ago. We were asking them to stand in the cold outside the Convention Center and assist in directing folks to the right ball. It was amazing hearing the enthusiastic voices of these individuals who wanted to be a part of this historical event even if they had to stand in the cold for hours.

It was also good to come here to DC and to be able to volunteer again for Obama.

MLK DAY …           

Just one day before inauguration…

It is wonderful that we can celebrate on Monday the birthday of Dr. King and then the next day celebrate the inauguration of the first Afro-American President. The historical nature of this inauguration will inspire others to believe in the possibility of change.

I and my family were living in DC when we held what would be the last demonstration on King’s birthday calling for holiday in his name. That historical year our choir director was none other than Stevie Wonder who will also perform here at one of the concerts. Last month I found the poster of the last demonstration that announced Stevie and the event. That year we celebrated King’s birthday on the west steps of the capitol with snow blessing with a white blanket.  And today we have the HOLIDAY.

WHAT A TIME IN AMERICA

            WHAT A TIME IN THIS WORLD

                        WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

                                    WHAT A TIME TO DO THE RIGHT THING

                                                                        FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

 

My best

leno

 

 

 

 

AHORA NEW YEARS REPORT      

 

DEAR SISTERS AND BROTHERS

 

It is great to be alive even though times are most difficult and with all the violence in the world. It is great to be here because I can still use my voice and energy to save the lives of others.  And what better use of ones life than to help others.  And when we help others we actually are helping ourselves.

 

NOW FOR MY VIEW OF THE NEWS

a.     slum dog

b.     2,000 pairs of shoes

c.      Peace is elusive

d.     Charitable giving

e.      MLK BDAY

 

 

SLUM DOG MILLIONAIRE

 

This is one very interesting movie that captures so many sub plots that it keeps you entertained. It takes place in Mumbai formerly Bombay.. And no it is not about terrorist.. .not the kind we normally view .. This is a love story, and adventure story … and a story to be repeated more than once.

 

 

2,000 PAIRS OF SHOE DUMPED ON HIGHWAY 826 IN MAIMI

 

No one can figure out how 2,000 pairs of used shoes ended up on the freeway… me …well I have a theory… I believe that a shoerrist  (shoe terrorist) group was on its way to Washington to deliver George Bush a fond farewell.

 

 

PEACE IS ELUSIVE

 

It is very easy to find a reason to shoot or bomb… to kill and maim… but finding the peace seems so much harder to find than our ability to wage war.

In each conflict there are many reasons to blame the other side … and seldom do we want to admit the mistakes of our side. We only see the mistakes of the opposition.

 

If we sought peace we would be able to find it .. It might not be smooth or clean and hard to maintain but I can assure you that it is worth what ever effort we put into it.

 

 

Charitable giving is Down

          And many congregations facing foreclosure

 

 

Soon we will celebrate MLK’s birthday on January 19th

 

I hope that we will all begin thinking of this man and all those who were part of the historic civil rights movement. Many sacrificed in order for us to understand the importance of the need for us to be part of a community of protest and hope…

 

In my garage I found a battered poster announcing the rally for King’s birthday calling for a National Holiday in his name.  It was held in DC on the west side of the capitol in the snow with Stevie Wonder there singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I and my family were there in the snow with Stevie and little did we know that the next year MLK would have a holiday in his name.

 

MY BEST

leno