Spectators view Barack Obama's inauguration on a big screen in Half-Way Tree Square, St Andrew. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Half-Way Tree, the busy St Andrew capital, was transformed into a theatre yesterday as scores of pedestrians stopped to watch the inauguration ceremony for Barack Obama.

Under the scorching sun, the exuberant crowd watched with pride from a television screen erected at the bus stop at Mandela Park, across from the Jamaica National building and the transportation centre.

Screams and shouts

When Obama took the oath of office and was named president, screams and shouts echoed on the the busy Constant Spring Road.

"Obama to the worl', yes! Wow! How yuh mean," were some of the exclamations from spectators. A few men took off their hats and waved them, while others captured the moment by taking photographs.

"This is a significant moment and I could not miss it. I was on my way to the store but I had to stop," Althea Chin told The Gleaner.

Carlton Brown journeyed from his home in downtown Kingston to 'Wembley' - the term he used to refer to the area in which the big screen was erected.

Could not miss it

Wearing a T-shirt bearing the image of Obama, Brown said he could not miss the significant event.

"History has been made. We now have a black man in the White House," he said.

Natasha Leiba was on her way from school and was hoping that she would find a television to watch the ceremony. When she got to Half-Way Tree, she was happy to see the throng gathered to watch the event.

"Being a student of history, and reading about the experience of the African-Americans, to see that they have reached this point is great," Leiba said.

Open many doors

She noted that Obama's achievement would open the door for many more African-Americans.

Three United States students who are studying at the United Theological College in St Andrew were on their way from Spanish Town, St Catherine, and asked their driver to stop so they could witness the historic event.

Melissa McNair said she was very excited that Obama was now president, noting that she was looking forward to the changes that are to take place in the US society.

"I think it is extremely significant because Barack has turned the world upside down, going from bottom up instead of top down," Jennifer Sumner, another US student, said.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com