U.S. Sen. Obama kicks off Tallahassee campaign at Florida A&M University
FAMU President says Rattlers must be prepared
to ‘strike’ during 2008 presidential race
TALLAHASSEE – More than 2,000 students, elected officials, community leaders and residents snaked their way Friday into Florida A&M University’s Gaither Gym where FAMU President James H. Ammons welcomed Presidential Candidate and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama to town with the famous Rattler Strike.
It was hot outside -- where many came early and waited in the scorching sun -- and inside as Obama entered the air-conditioned arena to the fever-pitched beat of the drumline of the world-famous FAMU Marching ‘100.’
The event, sponsored by the Obama for America Campaign, was a political rally for Obama, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination. It was the launch of a university political awareness campaign for the president.
Ammons said the university has invited other political candidates to campus also because it is important for students to have an awareness of the political process and fully comprehend the importance of their one vote.
Ammons and Obama had some private moments prior to the public appearance, where the two said they talked -- among other things -- about the student activism at FAMU in the 1950s that eventually led to the Tallahassee Bus Boycott in 1956.
“Young people can change the world,” Obama said. “If they could do that, there is no reason to think that we can’t do that (in 2008).”
