I was part of Obama's legal team in the streets of Philadelphia and I met so many amazing and inspirational people. Thanks to all of you for showing how amazing this country can be. . . . To all of my new and old progressive friends, to the amazing children, to the people in their 80s and 90s who voted inspite of suffering strokes and left the voting booth with tears in their eyes, to the young man who got in a car crash on Monday, but left the hospital against Doctor's orders and, with the assistance of four people, was able to drag himself into the polling place. Yes we did. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words & here are some photos of ordinary extraordinary Americans making history. . .
These two best friends were 89 and 90. The older of the two had suffered a stroke and needed help walking, which his friend provided. Everyone let them go to the front of the line to vote (and I'd guess most of us got goosebumps).
The Monday before the election (not at a rally, just walking the streets)
The man in crutches will always be a hero to me. He got in a massive car crash shortly before the election and he was badly injured. As a result, his leg was mangled and he was essentially unable to move. Against doctor's advice, he asked his family to drive him to the polls on election day. It took about 5 minutes for two of us just to help him get out of the car. And it took even longer for a group of us to help him get from the car to the polling place. He was in pain, but he insisted on going to the polling place and exercising his right to vote. (And he kept his good humor and cracked jokes during the process).
The woman sitting in this photo was 84 years old and had survived two strokes. She was also charming, and sitting near the front of the line long before the polls opened. I ended up accepting her marriage proposal, which could cause issues since I'm already engaged to someone else:).
People waiting in line, an hour before the polls opened.
The line to vote in West Philly
Helping an elderly voter make history (as volunteers, we got to hold the umbrellas, but we didn't get to use them much)
The line to vote at Drexel college
87 and 93 years old - making history together.
2 and 3 years old - making history together
People waited in line for long periods of time, but we made it fun. This picture shows the Mayor's sound truck, which urged voters to stay in line, vote and celebrate the moment.
The Obama voter protection team: Beverly, Bilal, me and Mindy.
More Obama volunteers, taking a quick photobreak
Life wouldn't be as interesting without our opponents. This guy was a McCain poll-watcher, whose stated concern was to protect the process. Our job was to keep him from intimidating voters.
Here was a team of Republican lawyers outside a polling place. Every vote was counted and the election was fair (big difference between Dems and Reps - they wear suits every day - we only wear suits when we have to).
Yes we did!!!