Students, veterans and leading figures from the arts, government and media took part in a weekend event at the Newseum to celebrate the Inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Jessica Forres listened as they read the U.S. Constitution…


Standing at a podium is Charles Overby...

THE FIRST AMENDMENT, CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION,
OR ABRIDGING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH, OR OF THE PRESS.

He's chairman of the Newseum...

YOU KNOW WE HAVE A SEVENTY FOUR FOOT HIGH SIGN OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT ON THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING RIGHT THERE ARE PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE. SO TO BE ABLE TO READ IT IN FRONT OF ALL THE PEOPLE AND FOR THEM TO SPONTANEIOUSLY CHEER FOR EACH FREEDOM WAS VERY HEARTWARMING.

The People for the American Way Foundation selected the 34 readers. Kathryn Kolbert... the group's president....says it's the first time the organization has held an Inaugural reading...

WE ARE THRILLED TO BEGIN THIS NEW ADMINISTRATION WITH THE READING OF THE CONSTITUTION SO THAT WE CAN RESTORE THE RULE OF LAW TO THIS NATION.

Helen Ingalls and Susan Gutchess of DC sat in the front row...

OUR EXPERIENCE OF THE INAUGURATION IS GOING TO BE COMPLELTELY AMORPHOUS. WE'RE GOING TO ENJOY THE MUSEUM. IT'S GREAT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE IT TODAY.

Civil rights pioneer Mary Frances Berry and students from DC's Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy also participated.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News