Inauguration 2009

Today marks the inauguration of the first African-American President of the United States, Barack Obama.

News can be streamed live and a live commentary from the BBC can be found here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/obama_inauguration/7837927.stm

Although many Americans and people worldwide will be celebrating today, the Obama presidency will be watched very closely for signs of change, the trademark promise.
Many have extremely high hopes for Obama, especially with regards to foreign policy. Will this Presidency mark the end of the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq? The closure of Guantanamo?

"A lot of people expect a lot of things from President Obama, but Amnesty doesn’t expect the impossible. The next 100 days offers the opportunity to make a clean break with the past. By closing Guantánamo, ending torture and setting up an independent investigation into US ‘war on terror’ abuses, President Obama can make concrete human rights reforms a reality."

View a video for the Amnesty '100 Days' campaign - a checklist for Obama during his first 100 days in office at: http://www.protectthehuman.com/videos/100-days-3

Taking the words of the man into consideration, we hope that it truly is time for change.





Shauneen.