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Washington D.C. is gearing up for the highly anticipated inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama next Tuesday. At least a million people, and possibly as many as four million people are expected to gather for this historic event. As the numbers rise, so does the security detail. The 56th Presidential inauguration has broken prior budgetary records in preparing for the massive turnout. The District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia have spent an estimated $78 million for the event. Over 20,000 police and 11,000 military troops will be part of the extensive ground, air, and waterborne forces preparing for the first African-American to be sworn into the highest elected office. While D.C. makes elaborate plans for Tuesday, local activists at the Community Coalition in south L.A. are preparing for a big celebration and a political forum. Three hundred students from Foshay Learning Center will join over a hundred community members to celebrate the occasion together. Residents, activists, and students across generations who could not make it to the capital are organizing this public space in South L.A to celebrate what they see as a major victory in Obama’s election.

GUEST: Alfred Burkes, Community Coalition

The Community Coalition Inauguration celebration and political forum will be on Tuesday January 20th at 8 am at Foshay Learning Center, 3751 S. Harvard Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.cocosouthla.org.