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UK events mark Obama inauguration UK events mark Obama inauguration
(about 1 hour later)
Events across the UK are being held as Britons share in US celebrations marking the historic inauguration of US President-elect Barack Obama.Events across the UK are being held as Britons share in US celebrations marking the historic inauguration of US President-elect Barack Obama.
Parties include 20109 Change, a musical celebration at London's indigO2. Belfast, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool will also hold events.Parties include 20109 Change, a musical celebration at London's indigO2. Belfast, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool will also hold events.
Organisers say it is important for UK communities to mark Mr Obama's success.Organisers say it is important for UK communities to mark Mr Obama's success.
Operation Black Vote said his victory could have "huge value" in encouraging ethnic minorities into politics.Operation Black Vote said his victory could have "huge value" in encouraging ethnic minorities into politics.
The Queen sent a personal message of support to Barack Obama on the eve of his inauguration ceremony. While her words have not been released, it is understood she sent him best wishes for the swearing-in event and his presidency - the 12th during her reign.The Queen sent a personal message of support to Barack Obama on the eve of his inauguration ceremony. While her words have not been released, it is understood she sent him best wishes for the swearing-in event and his presidency - the 12th during her reign.
On Tuesday, Gordon Brown's spokesman said the prime minister was writing a letter to Mr Obama, congratulating him and assuring him that Britain "stands ready to work very closely with his administration on many of the international challenges that we face".On Tuesday, Gordon Brown's spokesman said the prime minister was writing a letter to Mr Obama, congratulating him and assuring him that Britain "stands ready to work very closely with his administration on many of the international challenges that we face".
Mr Brown and the new president share "many of the same values" and are adopting a very similar approach to tackling the economic crisis, the spokesman added.Mr Brown and the new president share "many of the same values" and are adopting a very similar approach to tackling the economic crisis, the spokesman added.
Positive role modelPositive role model
Speaking at an inauguration event at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Tottenham, north London, Matilda Macattram, from Black Mental Health UK, told the BBC that Mr Obama was an inspiration.Speaking at an inauguration event at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Tottenham, north London, Matilda Macattram, from Black Mental Health UK, told the BBC that Mr Obama was an inspiration.
"He is a man of integrity, character, good values, compassion and he's a leader of our age," she said. We're going to see him sitting at the top table and that's going to inspire lots of people Bola OgunWindsor Fellowship 'I want to say 'I was there''We're going to WashingtonPM will 'work closely' with Obama"He is a man of integrity, character, good values, compassion and he's a leader of our age," she said. We're going to see him sitting at the top table and that's going to inspire lots of people Bola OgunWindsor Fellowship 'I want to say 'I was there''We're going to WashingtonPM will 'work closely' with Obama
"He's managed to connect with so many people because he tunes in and understands the needs of the hour. He's willing, committed and capable of being able to take people through what is obviously quite a difficult season in America's lifetime and globally.""He's managed to connect with so many people because he tunes in and understands the needs of the hour. He's willing, committed and capable of being able to take people through what is obviously quite a difficult season in America's lifetime and globally."
Bola Ogun, from the Windsor Fellowship, which tries to raise black achievement, said Mr Obama's presidency would remind young people "that hard work, dedication and doing the right things can pay off.Bola Ogun, from the Windsor Fellowship, which tries to raise black achievement, said Mr Obama's presidency would remind young people "that hard work, dedication and doing the right things can pay off.
"We see all the negative images of black people within our society and what Barack Obama is going to do is balance that out," he said."We see all the negative images of black people within our society and what Barack Obama is going to do is balance that out," he said.
"We're going to see him sitting at the top table… and that's going to be positive to inspire lots of people.""We're going to see him sitting at the top table… and that's going to be positive to inspire lots of people."
Earlier, campaign group Operation Black Vote said Mr Obama's inauguration could give a big boost to its mission, which is to see the House of Commons' current 15 MPs from ethnic backgrounds increased to 60 or 70 in order to represent the reality of modern Britain.Earlier, campaign group Operation Black Vote said Mr Obama's inauguration could give a big boost to its mission, which is to see the House of Commons' current 15 MPs from ethnic backgrounds increased to 60 or 70 in order to represent the reality of modern Britain.
Vice president Ashok Viswanathan said he believed, with the correct systems in place, the UK could see a black leader of one of the main political parties within the next 10 to 15 years, and a black prime minister within 30.Vice president Ashok Viswanathan said he believed, with the correct systems in place, the UK could see a black leader of one of the main political parties within the next 10 to 15 years, and a black prime minister within 30.
Operation Black Vote will be celebrating Mr Obama's inauguration at Altitude 360, Millbank, London from 1500 GMT.Operation Black Vote will be celebrating Mr Obama's inauguration at Altitude 360, Millbank, London from 1500 GMT.
Other key UK events include:
  • Democrats Abroad London Inaugural Ball at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. The organisation also has events planned in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, Cheltenham, Oxford and Cambridge
  • The Ibbamo Trust - a charity helping people reach their full potential - hosts a 20109 Change party at the O2 arena's indigO2, which will include performances from musicians and speakers
  • A Yes, We Did inauguration party - attended by singers Kelly Rowland and Mica Paris - at the Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane, London. It will recognise black Britons who have made a difference
  • Dare to Dream: Yes, You Can event at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Tottenham, north London, including exhibitions, music, performance, and debate
  • Live screening of the ceremony and party at Queen's University, Belfast
  • Live screening of the inauguration and music from local DJs at the Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre in Toxteth, Liverpool
  • Live screening at the West Indian Centre, Leeds
 Other key UK events include:
  • Democrats Abroad London Inaugural Ball at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. The organisation also has events planned in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, Cheltenham, Oxford and Cambridge
  • The Ibbamo Trust - a charity helping people reach their full potential - hosts a 20109 Change party at the O2 arena's indigO2, which will include performances from musicians and speakers
  • A Yes, We Did inauguration party - attended by singers Kelly Rowland and Mica Paris - at the Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane, London. It will recognise black Britons who have made a difference
  • Dare to Dream: Yes, You Can event at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Tottenham, north London, including exhibitions, music, performance, and debate
  • Live screening of the ceremony and party at Queen's University, Belfast
  • Live screening of the inauguration and music from local DJs at the Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre in Toxteth, Liverpool
  • Live screening at the West Indian Centre, Leeds
But Britons have not been content to celebrate at home and watch the inauguration via satellite link.But Britons have not been content to celebrate at home and watch the inauguration via satellite link.
INAUGURATION ON THE BBC 1600-2100 GMT: Live video on BBC News website, available to UK and overseas users1600-1800 GMT: Live coverage of inaugural ceremony on BBC One and BBC News channel, simulcast on BBC World News and BBC America1600-1900 GMT: Radio 5 Live Drive comes from Washington1630-1800 GMT: Extended programme on BBC Radio 4's PM1900-2100 GMT: Parade to the White House on BBC News channel, simulcast on BBC World News and BBC America2230-2340 GMT: Extended programme on BBC Two Newsnight0000-0100 GMT (Weds): Inauguration special on BBC World News America0300-0400 GMT (Weds): Inauguration special on BBC World News AmericaINAUGURATION ON THE BBC 1600-2100 GMT: Live video on BBC News website, available to UK and overseas users1600-1800 GMT: Live coverage of inaugural ceremony on BBC One and BBC News channel, simulcast on BBC World News and BBC America1600-1900 GMT: Radio 5 Live Drive comes from Washington1630-1800 GMT: Extended programme on BBC Radio 4's PM1900-2100 GMT: Parade to the White House on BBC News channel, simulcast on BBC World News and BBC America2230-2340 GMT: Extended programme on BBC Two Newsnight0000-0100 GMT (Weds): Inauguration special on BBC World News America0300-0400 GMT (Weds): Inauguration special on BBC World News America
Ruth Pitter, 47, and Valerie Mower, 44, both from Bristol, are among those who have headed to Washington to share in the moment on US soil.Ruth Pitter, 47, and Valerie Mower, 44, both from Bristol, are among those who have headed to Washington to share in the moment on US soil.
They will be joining the two million people expected in the US capital to watch Mr Obama sworn in on Tuesday.They will be joining the two million people expected in the US capital to watch Mr Obama sworn in on Tuesday.
"The whole experience of Obama getting in and of us going to be among five million people, to be in that crowd and part of history, I think we're very lucky to have that opportunity," said Ms Mower."The whole experience of Obama getting in and of us going to be among five million people, to be in that crowd and part of history, I think we're very lucky to have that opportunity," said Ms Mower.
Ms Pitter added that she is hopeful the historical election across the Atlantic will have a global impact.Ms Pitter added that she is hopeful the historical election across the Atlantic will have a global impact.
"I feel this is the time now for my community to really see a change," she said."I feel this is the time now for my community to really see a change," she said.
Waxworks of Mr Obama in the Oval Office have been unveiled at Madame Tussauds in London, Berlin, New York and Shanghai.Waxworks of Mr Obama in the Oval Office have been unveiled at Madame Tussauds in London, Berlin, New York and Shanghai.
Follow the inauguration on the BBC News website, with live text updates from 1400 GMT streaming video from 1600 GMT, full coverage from our correspondents in Washington and reaction from across the world.Follow the inauguration on the BBC News website, with live text updates from 1400 GMT streaming video from 1600 GMT, full coverage from our correspondents in Washington and reaction from across the world.