Obama president as Manchester’s Democrats cheer

“For the first time in the four years that I’ve lived in England, I can hold my head up high and say ‘I’m an American’. It’s fantastic”. With son Frederick in her arms, Kimberley Knowles was overcome with emotion as she explained just what today’s inauguration meant to her while her son unknowingly witnessed history in the making.
I met Kimberley along with other members of Manchester’s Democrats Abroad group as they gathered in a small flat above the Cross Street chapel in the city centre to watch the ceremony and start an evening of celebrations.
I asked the group how they felt about today’s history making events as well as if they had any messages for the new President of America – you can see their responses in the video below.

Some of those present, like Jeff Gould pictured above, had witnessed first-hand a life in the States which meant that black people were required to drink at different water fountains.
He said: “Today is, the culmination of everything I believe in and have been working for. I grew up in New England in the 60s and I remember black people drinking from separate water fountains, using different lavatories and standing at the back of the trams so for me today, this is a dream come true.”
All of them were optimistic about the future – but also a little cautious about too much pressure for change being heaped on one man’s shoulders.
Alan Heckman who works for a volunteer group in Rochdale said of the new president: “He’s an amazing human being. One of the things that most amazing about him is his ability to unite people.
“He’s put together a mandate for change that I think will lead to real change. We are very optimistic that it might really happen.”
Shelly Walsh of Warrington, who has lived in the UK since 1991, even made herself a pair of earrings for the occasion with the American Abroad symbol and the Obama symbol bought together (these can be seen in the video).
The group’s organiser John Pierson said the group had gathered to “rejoice”.
See more of their views below.