UK events mark Obama inauguration

Some UK Obama supporters are heading to the US for the inauguration

Events across the UK will be held later as Britons share in US celebrations marking the historic inauguration of US President-elect Barack Obama.

Parties include 20109 Change, a musical celebration at London's indigO2. Belfast, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool will also hold events.

Organisers say it is important for UK communities to mark Mr Obama's success.

Operation Black Vote says his victory could have "huge value" in encouraging ethnic minorities into politics.

Juliet Alexander, organiser of an inauguration event at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Tottenham, north London, said it was crucial for the area's multi-ethnic residents to have the opportunity to celebrate Mr Obama's new presidency.

The whole experience of Obama getting in and of us going... to be in that crowd and part of history, I think we're very lucky to have that opportunity Valerie Mower Obama fan travelling to Washington 'I want to say 'I was there''

"He is not just a black president, he is politically educated man who has touched the imaginations of people all around the world," she said. "That is why we are proud.

"He represents a movement to people - and we are very happy to celebrate that."

Ashok Viswanathan, Operation Black Vote's vice president, said the election of Mr Obama as America's first black president had "huge value" in terms of its potential to inspire more people from ethnic minority backgrounds into politics in the UK.

"The symbolic value in having a black president is huge," he said.

Young black people had been turning away from the democratic process, he said, but seeing Mr Obama as president could help encourage them to play a constructive role.

The campaign group wants to see the House of Commons' current 15 MPs from ethnic backgrounds increased to 60 or 70 in order to represent the reality of modern Britain.

"Obama's election can focus minds in helping do that," Mr Vswanathan said.

He added that he believed, with the correct systems in place, the UK could see a black leader of one of the main political parties within the next 10 to 15 years, and a black prime minister within 30.

Operation Black Vote will be celebrating Mr Obama's inauguration at Altitude 360, Millbank, London from 1500 GMT.

Other key UK events include:

• Democrats Abroad London Inaugural Ball at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. The organisation also has events planned in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, Cheltenham, Oxford and Cambridge
• The Ibbamo Trust - a charity helping people reach their full potential - hosts a 20109 Change party at the O2 arena's indigO2, which will include performances from musicians and speakers
• A Yes, We Did inauguration party - attended by singers Kelly Rowland and Mica Paris - at the Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane, London. It will recognise black Britons who have made a difference
• Dare to Dream: Yes, You Can event at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Tottenham, north London, including exhibitions, music, performance, and debate
• Live screening of the ceremony and party at Queen's University, Belfast
• Live screening of the inauguration and music from local DJs at the Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre in Toxteth, Liverpool
• Live screening at the West Indian Centre, Leeds

But some members of Britain's black community have not been content to celebrate at home and watch the inauguration via satellite link.

Ruth Pitter, 47, and Valerie Mower, 44, both from Bristol, are among those who have headed to Washington to share in the moment on US soil.

BBC INAUGURATION COVERAGE The BBC will show full live coverage of the inauguration at 1600 GMT on BBC One, the BBC News Channel and BBC HD.

They will be joining the two million people expected in the US capital to watch Mr Obama sworn in on Tuesday.

"The whole experience of Obama getting in and of us going to be among five million people, to be in that crowd and part of history, I think we're very lucky to have that opportunity," said Ms Mower.

Ms Pitter added that she is hopeful the historical election across the Atlantic will have a global impact.

"I feel this is the time now for my community to really see a change," she said.

Follow the inauguration on the BBC News website, with live text updates from 1400 GMT streaming video from 1600 GMT, full coverage from our correspondents in Washington and reaction from across the world.