London City Hall flies stars and stripes
By Laura Miller
The star spangled banner will flutter high over City Hall today as the London mayor celebrates the inauguration of Barack Obama as American president.
Boris Johnson, who was criticised for his limp wave of the Union Jack at the closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has arranged for the US flag to be raised at 09:00 GMT to mark the day.
“We in the United Kingdom will always share a unique relationship with the United States. But the inauguration of Barak Obama, as the 44th President, is a cause for a very special celebration,” said the mayor.
Describing his pride at being able to join in the inauguration day celebrations, Mr Johnson praised Mr Obama and highlighted his own links across the Atlantic.
“As an Englishman, born in New York, as an elected politician, as a democrat and addict of history, I’m inspired by the prospect of this great man entering the Oval office,” he said.
William Barnard, head of the Democrats Abroad London chapter, welcomed the gesture.
“It’s a sign not just of the tremendous global interest in the presidency but also of the tremendous shared hopes of people,” he told politics.co.uk.
A positive change has been felt by American ex-pats since Obama won the race for the White House, he said, compared to their experiences under outgoing president George W. Bush.
“We can finally breathe a sigh of relief, after the last eight years when it’s been so difficult to be an American abroad,” said Mr Barnard.
Record crowds are expected to attend Mr Obama’s swearing in ceremony at the United States Capitol in Washington DC at noon local time – the culmination of five days of concerts, receptions, balls and one of the longest and most grueling US presidential races in history.
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