Gladstone Taylor - Jamaicans came out in their numbers, at the Harbour View roundabout exptecting President Barack Obama to pass by, enroute to his hotel from the Norman Manley International Airport, yesterday.
Chad Bryan, Staff Reporter
Huge crowds gathered at Sir Florizel Glasspole Boulevard near the Harbour View Shopping Centre yesterday, hoping to catch a glimpse of United States President, Barack Obama.
From as early as 4:30 p.m., the crowd consisting of students from the Caribbean Maritime Institute, people leaving work, and children; among others, could be seen. Shortly before 7 p.m., the number of persons more than doubled.
The police, who were also deployed, lined the area and kept a close watch on things, ensuring that the area was secured.
Even the news that had been previously reported that the president would not be driving past the area did not seem to deter those who had gathered there.
A few persons with whom THE STAR spoke with expressed elation that the US president was visiting for the Summit of the Americas, where a number of issues would be discussed.
"I am from New Jersey and I want to get an opportunity to see him because I would not be able to see him in New Jersey. When I planned my trip, it was perfect, so I am going to make use of this opportunity," she said.
While Christine Smith, who was there with her family, said, "I am hoping to get a glimpse of the president. I am not really excited to see him though. I am hoping the visit would have an impact, but not sure it will," she said.
For 65-year-old Ivy Hastings and her family a spot along a section of the Sir Florizel Glasspole Boulevard, in the vicinity of the Harbour View Shopping Centre, gave high hopes of seeing the world leader.
"We're here just to see what's going on, trying to see if I can see him, but I get to understand that I'm not going to see him, so, still standing," said Ivy Hastings. Hastings' granddaughter, Nicole Peart, 31, told THE STAR that it was a proud moment for her and her family.
A tribe of bright-eyed children who were nothing short of ecstatic accompanied the two.
"Well, they don't know what's happening, but they just hear big people talking so they said that they want to come to see," Hastings said, referring to two of her young grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
They appeared unwittingly wound up in anticipation as they immersed themselves in their surroundings.
The family was not to be disappointed, even as they came to the realisation that President Obama would be airlifted from the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) to Up Park Camp in St Andrew, the headquarters of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).
However, they still remained optimistic; clinging to the hope that they will be able to catch a glimpse of the president's heavily armoured vehicle, The Beast.
"Mostly because we want to see the vehicle, because of how everybody says the things that are inside of it, the bullet proof, and so," Peart said.
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