1200 To Get To Hear President’s Speech In Person
For the second time in less than a year the President of the United States will be in El Paso.
And for the second time in 45 years a U.S. President will speak at the Chamizal National Memorial Park.
If you don’t have your ticket by now, chances are you’re not going to get to hear the president’s speech in person. About 1,200 people have been invited to the private event, with 500 of those representing UTEP.
President Barack Obama is expected to discuss immigration reform, border violence and the importance of the military.
“Never have, ” said El Paso Democratic Party volunteer, Frank Ortiz. This will be his first time seeing a sitting president in person. George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan are just some of the presidents that have visited the Sun City as sitting presidents.
Ortiz spent the day setting up barricades and chairs at the Chamizal, excited that President Obama — even for just a couple of hours — will get to experience El Paso.
“For him to be able to see what El Paso’s really like. For him to get a true feeling of El Paso out in the community,” Ortiz said of what he’d like Obama to experience.
The Democratic party, members of Obama for America, elected local leaders and 500 UTEP students, faculty and staff will get to see the president speak.
“We had folks as early as 3 in the morning, most of them coming at 6 in the morning lining up for the tickets,” said Asst. Vice President for Student Life, Catie McCorry-Andalis.
“It’s the President, you don’t get to see him everyday. You see him through the TV, but to see him in person, it’s probably going to be a different experience for me,” said UTEP student Jay Candelario.
People attending have been told to be ready for airport-like security. Bags, sharp objects and liquids will not be allowed into the event.
Cell phones and cameras are allowed and water will be provided.
Everyone attending has been asked to park at Bowie High School. A Sun Metro shuttle will be available from the Bowie baseball field to the Chamizal.
Gates will open at 11 a.m. with Obama’s speech expected at 1:30 p.m. The event is expected to end around 2:30 p.m.
Related Links:Link:Obama Administration’s View On ImmigrationLink:Congressional Research Service: Overview of Immigration Issues in the 112th CongressLink:Obama ’08 Campaign Speech: Immigration Reform Needed That Will Secure Borders, Punish Employers Who Exploit Immigrant Labor Link:Special Report: How To Become A U.S. CitizenLink:History And Significance Of The Chamizal
