First hand report . . . kinda . . . LOL.
I arrived on the campus and parked. I walked a few hundred yards and found the end of the line, waiting to get into the auditorium. I arrived at the end of the line at 6:30pm. It was at a dead stop.
I can honestly say, that it was 4 across and stretched under canopied walkways meandering through campus. The length was several hundred YARDS long. The attendance was incredible.
I estimate the racial makeup of the crowd to be less than 10% African-American and 90%+ white. This surprised me, since Dekalb County has a majority black populaatiion, and since Hank Johnson is black.
Unfortunately, Decatur, GA is in this district (where I unfortunately like) and is the most liberal city in the state.
I overheard someone behind me say that they were crowd-watching and were trying to figure out which side each person was on, by basis of their appearance. I confess, I was doing the exact same thing, and I can say, it was impossible to tell.
Very few people had signs visible. More than half of the signs I saw had "I support the Public Option" and "Healthcare is a Right." Judging by the conversations I overheard, I suspect conservatives were well represented, but in a minority. But I have such a small field of data (eavesdropping), that I could be off base.
The line moved slowly. The crowd was VERY WELL BEHAVED. I didn't hear a single raised voice. Yet there were quiet discussions all around me. I heard passionate voices, but no raised voices.
We passed a parking lot on our way to the auditorium that had signs on wooden stands, reading "Free Speech Zone." But these lots were completely empty of any picketers or protesters.
Around 7:15 pm (15 minutes after the scheduled start time), the word trickled through the line that the auditorium was filled, but they were routing us to another overflow facility. The bad news was accepted well, and we remarked how wonderful that so many people cared to attend the event.
We moved slowly like cattle through a chute for the next 35 minutes, passing the auditorium entrance, and continuing our meandering path through the campus to whereabouts unknown. At 7:40pm, they announced that the overflow facility was now full. Again, the news was accepted graciously. People stood in small groups and most decided to depart campus. I also took that option, since I had not yet had dinner. LOL.
I CONSERVATIVELY estimate that over 2,000 people were there.
If you were there, and especially if you were able to get into the auditorium, PLEASE POST A REPORT. I'd love to hear any other perspectives.
A rumor in the crowd was that the event would be broadcast Thursday evening. If anyone has any information as to the time and channel, please post it.
Wish I could have provided eye-witness testimony. I had my cell with video recording ready to go. LOL.
God Bless all of you,
AUTiger83
P.S. I took a couple of photos, attempting to show the length of the lines. But because the line twisted and turned so often, they don't capture the enormous attendance very well. But I'll try to post below, if I can figure out how . . . HTML ignorant here . . .
A view of the line waiting under the canopy. The line continues to the buildings you see in the distance, then turns left and continues at least that far again before reaching the auditorium. This photo taken 08-10-2009, around 6:40 PM (about 20 minutes before scheduled start time). There are already hundreds of people behind me, as well.
Photo of line remaining after the auditorium has filled. The line continues slowly moving toward the overflow auditorium. A very orderly crowd.
Another photo of line, shortly before the announcement that the overflow auditorium was also filled.