Supporters hold first of 2 Kaua‘i events

Some 100 supporters of presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama rallied yesterday at the historic Hanalei bridge as part of the Bridges for Obama — Yes, We Span! grassroots initiative that aims to gather photos of Obama fans from around the world.

Bevin Parker-Evans, who helped organize the event locally, addressed the crowd just before they stopped traffic and blocked both lanes for the photo opportunity.

“If you don’t know what the grassroots are, take a smell,” Parker-Evans excitedly said. “We are the people we’ve been waiting for!”

The Bridges for Obama organization said it selected bridges as an ideal symbol of Obama’s candidacy because of their uniting effect and ability to “bring together opposing sides.”

To date, it has organized events on some 76 bridges in 36 countries on the continents of Europe, Asia, Australia, South America and North America.

“When you pass over the bridge, the community makes a statement,” Hanalei resident Diane Daniells said. “The main thing it symbolizes for me is that this is the gateway to our community, which has so much aloha. (Obama) is coming from a large background, but he’s also going to be able to help the small towns.”

Carol Ann Davis-Briant, a professional photographer from the South Shore, said she was providing her services for free because she is an Obama supporter.

The photos will be sent to the Bridges for Obama campaign and be shown at the Democratic National Convention later this month in Denver, she said.

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(Source: Michael Levine, Kauai Garden Island News)