Sunday 19 / May / 2024
San Francisco: A road in Los Angeles was officially renamed in honour of former US President Barack Obama.
Obama Boulevard was formerly known as Rodeo Road.
A free daylong music festival was held alongside the boulevard's official renaming, featuring performances by Doug E. Fresh and Stevie Wonder.
The 3.5 mile (approximately 5.6 km) street runs from Culver City to Mid-City Los Angeles passing a number of famous sites including the Rancho Cienega Park , where Obama held a famous rally early in his historic 2007 campaign. It will form part of the city's 'president's row', nearby George Washington Boulevard, John Adams Boulevard and Thomas Jefferson Boulevard.
Over 23,000 people attended the official unveiling.
A letter written by Obama was also shared with attendees.
In it, the former president wrote, "Twelve years ago, we met in this park. I'd just announced my candidacy for President. I was excited to come back to this city that means so much to me; the place where I delivered my first political speech as a much younger man, a college student at Oxy, still in the early states of trying to find my purpose in life.
"And to come back here, to see so many of you fired up about a movement for change-it fuelled me for the long campaign to come.
"But here's the thing: that campaign; those eight years in the White House- it was never about me. It was always about you. It was about us, and what we could do together to bring this country we love in line with our founding ideals."
Obama added, "We knew our work wouldn't be finished in one presidency. But we believed our efforts could make America a more equal, more just,and more hopeful place- and that we could teach our kids to pick up our work and carry it even further.
"That work goes on. And while Michelle, Malia, Sasha, and I are so humbled by this day, we're still mindful that it's not about. It's about this neighbourhood's next generation, and all we want for them.
"We hope they'll look to these street signs and find inspiration in all that a group of committed citizens can achieve together-and that all of you will rally around them to build a better
community, a better LA, and a better country where every single one of us can reach our full potential."
The city's council President Herb Wesson said, "I’m thrilled that Los Angeles will be home to Obama Boulevard.
“Our history is important and this is one way that we will ensure that America’s 44th President’s legacy is shared for generations to come for Angelenos and visitors alike.”
