This past Saturday morning, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords hosted a “Congress on Your Corner” event in the La Toscana Village shopping center at the corner of Ina and Oracle Roads.
As has been widely reported, a 22-year-old man opened fire on Giffords and others. Six people died, and 13 were wounded, including Congresswoman Giffords.
Yesterday, President Obama came to Tucson. His visit included a speech during the memorial at the University of Arizona’s McKale Center.
Local news outlets reported that people started lining up for McKale seats during the early hours of yesterday morning. After sunrise, the line of a few hundred people became a line of several thousand people.
Shortly after 1:00 p.m., I got on my bike and headed over to campus. It was probably too late to get a seat in McKale, but the university said that overflow seating would be provided in Arizona Stadium.
First stop was University Medical Center (UMC), where Congresswoman Giffords and other shooting victims are being treated. Outside the hospital’s entrance, there’s a huge community shrine that has been growing and growing and growing…
After I left UMC, I pedaled south into the main campus. The McKale Center line had grown much larger than what that indoor arena could hold. Here’s the view from Cherry Avenue, just south of Second Street…
And here’s the crowd outside the McKale parking garage…
Although these people had been waiting in line for several hours, they were very respectful toward each other. I didn’t hear one cross word spoken.
As soon as the announcement came about the availability of Arizona Stadium seating, I parked my bike and found a place in the bleachers…
The Arizona Stadium crowd alternated between pensive silence…
…and hearty applause and cheering. President and Mrs. Obama’s appearance on the big screen got very positive reaction…
The President embraces Mark Kelly, husband of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords…
The President’s speech was very well received…
I do hope that this tragedy does not turn the name Tucson into something synonymous with Columbine. Or Dallas. Or Memphis. We’re much better than that.