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Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama looks intently at the rain-soaked crowd that waited hours to hear him at the University of Mary Washington.
Ashley Burton (left) and UMW sophomore Sara Burton, both from Norfolk, cheer at the Obama rally while (below) supporters try to take photos despite the rain.
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A chanting, sign-waving crowd of thousands braved two pouring rainstorms Saturday evening to see presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama and his running mate Sen. Joe Biden make their first joint appearance in Virginia at the University of Mary Washington.
A crowd of 26,000 people converged on the Fredericksburg campus for a chance to see the pair, according to a university police count. About 12,000 people were able to pass through metal detectors to enter the barricaded rally area on the open lawn of Ball Circle.
Another 14,000 people waited on a line that snaked across campus and into city neighborhoods and were not able to get in when the rally area reached capacity around 5 p.m. Many stood outside the barricades in an attempt to hear the speeches.
By time Obama and Biden took the stage at 7, most of the crowd had been standing in line and in Ball Circle for five to eight hours.
Christian Rosa, 18, of Woodbridge, said witnessing history was worth the trip.
“Today was really powerful. I was talking to my dad earlier and he was talking about in his day, he had Dr. King,” Rosa said. “So he said, 'You should really go and experience this opportunity because he’s the Dr. King of your time.' ”
The rally crowd was diverse: a mix of college students, area residents, and people who had driven from outside the area to attend.
Vendors sold Obama and Biden T-shirts, buttons and towels along campus walk to people waiting in line.
“I’ve been an Obama fan for a long time. We thought we might have to travel a long way to see him. Totally thrilled that he’s come to Fredericksburg,” said Mara Scanlon of Fredericksburg, who brought her daughter, Julia Foss, 6, and son, Kirby Foss, 9, a young Obama supporter. “He leads private rallies on our own front street, so this is like a dream come true,” she said. Kirby was passing time in line by playing with a set of Obama-branded cards. “We’re really excited Virginia could support a Democrat for the first time in a long time,” Scanlon said.
Velma Massenburg of Arlington got in line at 11:30 a.m. “I just want to see him, our next president. He’s a Democract, he’s for the middle class, he’s not for the rich. He’s for us, and he’s for change,” Massenburg said. “And after eight years, that’s what we need. I’m not liking the way everything’s been going for eight years.”
UMW senior Lauren Rigby of Fairfax celebrated her 21st birthday at the rally. “I was wondering what I was going to do ... this is going to be a really great day! I think it will really bring Mary Washington students together as a community,” Rigby said. Rigby, a future teacher, was eager to hear Obama and Biden’s education platform.
Representatives from the American Life League, Christian Defense Coalition, and Rock for Life held signs on campus walk with anti–abortion messages as people lined up for the rally.
“Our mission today is just to raise awareness that Obama supports abortion, and raise awareness of what abortion is, because a lot of people don’t know,” said Aaron Custalow of Fredericksburg, who held a sign that said “Obama Supports Innocent Bloodshed.”
Some rally attendees chanted Obama’s name to drown out protesters, but most people did not seem fazed by their presence.
“I think it’s good they’re here, too. I mean, everybody has freedom of speech,” said UMW junior Rebecca Cuba.
The weather fluctuated from sunny and hot early in the day to steady rain in the late afternoon.
Around 40 people were treated by the Fredericksburg Rescue Squad, Fredericksburg Fire Department and Chancellor Rescue Squad, mostly for dehydration. Four people were transported to Mary Washington Hospital.
The rain returned partway through Obama’s speech.
He took off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and continued to speak.
That impressed Barker Pole, 19, a foreign exchange student from Great Britain.
“Usually they stop and have someone out there, holding an umbrella. But he was out there with us, really strong. I’ve got to admire a man like that,” Pole said.
Kelly Hannon: 540/374-5436
khannon@freelancestar.com
