The ASU Young Democrats and Arizona Women for Obama turned Tempe's University Bridge into what they called a “bridge to hope” in support of Barack Obama.
About 500 Obama supporters filled Hayden Lawn for a rally Sunday night, including speakers who stressed the importance of getting out the vote.
Speakers like Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard and Sharon Wilkinson, former ambassador to Mozambique and co-chair of Women for Obama, spoke to the crowd about political change.
“Thank you for making calls to your neighbors and spreading the message of Barack Obama,” Wilkinson said. “In the last few weeks of this campaign, we need to take the time and energy to get out the vote.”
The diverse crowd — holding signs with slogans ranging from “I’m a mama for Obama” to “Teamsters for Obama” — cheered as speakers blasted tax cuts for oil companies and the current housing crisis.
“Every day I hear about people in trouble with their mortgages,” Goddard said. “Obama is the leader we need to fix the mess.”
At the conclusion of the speeches, rally organizers led the large crowd of supporters away from the library and toward University Bridge, or as rally organizers referred to it, the bridge to hope.
The majority of the crowd held blue fiber-optic flashlights that were distributed by the organizers of the rally.
As the parade of supporters made its way to the bridge, megaphones held by rally organizers echoed chants like “Yes we can,” “No McCain” and “Fire it up, party people.”
Adam Lopez Falk, an undeclared freshman at Phoenix College and Democratic National Convention delegate, said that he went to the August convention supporting Hillary Clinton. Once Falk realized Obama was going to be the nominee, he shifted his support.
“I liked Hillary because of everything she has done for Hispanic people,” Falk said. “Obama seemed inexperienced. He hasn’t actually done much, but Joe Biden offers the experience Obama lacks.”
Falk said that he was encouraged by the amount of young people registering to vote and becoming involved with the campaign in recent months.
“I think the enthusiasm Obama brings to young voters is why he can win Arizona, which is a state that people just assume would go to John McCain,” Falk said.
As supporters crossed the bridge, their chants changed from “Yes we can” to “Yes we will,” and Falk said it reminded him of the enthusiasm at the convention.
Tempe resident Donna Patterson, a 58-year-old massage therapist, said the event was more peaceful than the political demonstrations of the 1960s.
“It’s nice to see people not getting gassed and beaten up like 40 years ago,” Patterson said.
The rally ended as supporters crossed the bridge and ended up in the front of residence halls on the northern side of University Drive.
“Isn’t it nice to live in a state where we build bridges to somewhere?” said Patricia Refo, co-chair of Women for Obama.
Reach the reporter at jaking@asu.edu .
