By Senior Editor/Producer Jacqueline Fernandez.
At the Inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama
I arrived at the Capitol by 5 a.m. and I was already late. My cab dropped me off on 7th Street, the public entrance, and it was sheer pandamonium. Someone in the crowd yelled, “This is like Walmart on black Friday.” Obviously, a reference to the November 28 fatal death of a Long Island Wal-Mart trainee trampled in a surge by thousands of customers stampeding for sales.
People of all ages and colors were pushing each other and shoving their way through trying to get close to the gate here at 7th. Â In a crowded lane four-width people apart, it was heartbreaking to see an elderly black woman in a wheelchair get pushed around, especially when she was decked out in her finest Obama gear.
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I struggled to move against the crowd but when I made it past the shoving I walked the six blocks to my entrance. Instead of an aggressive crowd I was greeted with a calmer but longer line. Â This line is probably a mile long with more people cutting in the front instead of walking all the way to the back. I,ve been standing in this line for nearly two hours and have moved three times.
It is now 9 o clock and this line is a mess.
I’m currently standing in a tunnel where ambulances and cop cars pass me by. The police have no idea what’s happening and they’re moving people from the front  of the line to the back. I was once able to see the end of the line but not anymore.  Although the possibility of not being allowed inside hovers over everyone inside, they still have hope.
We’ll just have to wait and see.
Tags: 2009 Presidential Inauguration, City University of New York, Hunter College, Jacqueline Fernandez, January 20 2009, Jonathan Mena, Press Credentials, U.S. Capitol