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myrlie evers-williams, welcome to democracy now!.g and thank you very much. >> very good to have you with us. your thoughts today, 45 years after the assassination of medgar? >> certainly a day that i and members of my family remember very intimately. for some reason, this 45th anniversary has been a little more difficult than the last few. perhaps it is because of what is happening in our country today, but i thank you so much for bringing to the public at least the part of the story of medgar evers. it has been very difficult to hear people talk about the civil rights movement and the leadership, as though it started in 1964, when really, indeed, it did not. i owe you a great debt of gratitude. >> the progress that you feel have made over these past 45 years, especially in places like mississippi. i recall recently wlbt tv, which created summit, for allowing medgar evers to get his message across, was owned by african- americans for quite awhile and then recently changed hands. has there been continuing progress in mississippi, but

here's myrlie evers, the widow of medgar evers.bama and the wondrous thing, of course, the wife of the attorney general -- by the way, we just lost james woods -- james hood the other day. he died. and he was one of the two people who were integrated, basically, at gun point with george wallace standing in the door back then. in alabama. >> yeah, i mean, those were incredible times. and you and i have some recollection of those times. >> but not the president. >> no, he doesn't. he doesn. he was, at best, a baby when these things were happening. it's -- but he -- but he knows the history. even if he had to learn it. and imthink he learned to feel it. and learned to -- and learned as much as one can learn with the experience. >> go ahead, david, i'm sorry. your thought. >> when he was in college as a young man, he went to the library and brought back the record of the i have a dream speech. he and a couple of his buddies memorized it. but he intensely studied it during that period. >> here's myrlie evers, the husband of the civil ri

myrlie evers became the first woman in the first layperson to deliver an inaugural invocation. she is the widow of medgar evers, the civil-rights activist who was assassinated 50 years ago. >> 150 years after the emancipation proclamation and 50 years after the march on washington, we celebrate the spirit of our ancestors, which has allowed us to move from a nation of unborn hopes and history of disenfranchised folks to today's expiration of a more perfect union the a-expression of a more perfect union. we ask that where our paths seem blanketed by oppression and rippled by pangs of despair, we ask for your guidance toward the light of deliverance. and hose who came before us and dreamed of this day, that we recognize that their visions still inspire us. they are a great cloud of witnesses, unseen by the naked eye, but all around us, thankful that they're living was not in vain. for every mountain, you gave us the strength to climb, your grace is pleaded to continue that climb for america and the world. >> myrlie evers delivering the inaugural invocation. o misled, president of

and he said myrlie, that's not what i'm about.ob. >> you'll be the first layperson to give an innaug ral invocation. how did you find out? >> i received a call from one of the staff persons at the white house. and she simply told me that i had been chosen and i said certainly you just -- or, i did not believe it. but i quickly came to the realization that it was a possibility and that it was an honor that i will forever, forever cherish. but hoping that i would say the right words. it's only a limited time. you have about three minutes. and i tend to go on and on with my speeches and whatnot. i hope i don't bore people to death. but how do i say what i feel about my country? how do i say what i feel about medgar and all the civil rights leaders? how do i say how much i believe in the proclamation? how do i address all of those strong feelings. yet, be realistic about where we are today. and realize that even though there were so many who fought for the right to vote, all we have to do is to look back on what happened a couple of m

and his wife, myrlie evers-williams will speak. >> and he is free to speak out on the second term. >> not? these are american issues we are talking about. we talk about jobs and the economy. if dr. king were alive today, he would press president obama to end the inequality in our country to address poverty. those are universal now because poverty is a white issue, as well as a black and hispanic issue, as well. >> cokie pointed out. this is when we try to set aside our political differences. that's some of the unfinished business of president obama's first term. >> the main part of the unfinished business of his first term had to do with the divisions in this country. he said he was going to bring the country together, and unify the country. but as we sit here today -- and this is what makes the difference between the first and the second term. the first term is always about hope. the second term is hard work. it's like the difference between each of the two campaigns. it's a huge thing you see the difference in, the president, last time, when he took the inauguration, had a 68% appro

myrlie evers-williams, widow of slain civil rights leader medgar evers, will deliver the invocation. as he did four years ago, president obama will use abraham lincoln's bible when he takes the oath of office. and this time, he will also use a bible of reverend martin luther king, jr. 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of king's march on washington and the 150th anniversary of the emancipation proclamation. >>> washington's national cathedral announced this week that it will begin performing same-sex marriages, effective immediately. the cathedral's dean gary hall admitted that gay marriage is a point of disagreement, but called the decision an effort to fully include gays and lesbians in the life of the church. last year, the episcopal church approved a blessing for same-sex marriages. it remains up to individual bishops to decide how, and if, the blessing is used in their dioceses. >>> we have a lucky severson story today on the enormous prison population in louisiana, 40,0 opleehind bars, and that state's unusual attempts to pay the costs -- private for-profit jails and even rodeos.

then, the public ceremony began with an invocation by myrlie evers-williams, widow of slain civil rights leader medgar evers and the first laywoman to give an inaugural prayer. >> we invoke the prayers of our grandmothers, who taught us to pray, god, make me a blessing. >> reporter: music included the brooklyn tabernacle choir. >> the oath i have sworn before you today, like the one recited by others who serve in this capitol, was an oath to god and country. >> reporter: the president cited god many times in his address. he laid out a liberal vision to the nation, which included an explicit endorsement of gay rights. >> our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law. >> reporter: that was praised by some faith-based leaders who called this "the most lgbt-friendly" inauguration in history. but religious conservatives were critical, calling the statement "strident and divisive." many evangelicals are still upset that reverend louie giglio, who was originally set to give the inaugural benediction, withdrew because of controversy ove

myrlie evers-williams, widow of murdered civil rights leader medgar evers, wildeliver te iocation antherooklyn tabernacle choir will sing. >>> this week, many religious groups praised president obama's newly announced measures to try to reduce gun violence, particularly his call for mandatory background checks and a ban on assault weapons. vice-president biden said the nation has a "moral obligation" to prevent future tragedies like the school shooting in connecticut. at a press conference in washington, members of an interfaith coalition reiterated support for strongerun control, saying they agree that it is a "moral imperative." >> we stand together because we know beyond all else that god is love. let us love one another, bind ourselves together and challenge the onslaught of violence in our nation. >>> also this week, christian groups ramped up their push for immigration reform. at a media event in washington, speakers sat at a table with empty chairs meant to represent deported family members of immigrants livinhere. meanwhile, evangelical leaders launched a campaign they are calli

he will have a short speech and then he will be introducing myrlie evers-williams, a former chair ofrs. the naacp field secretary who was gunned down in 1963. one of the great heroes of the civil rights movement. myrlie evers-williams will be giving the invocation at the beginning of the ceremonies and then we will see justice sonia sotomayor who is one of the newer associate justices on the supreme court. she will be delivering the oath of office to the vice president. this is beyonce coming in now and we will be hearing from her. there are several musical performances today. after the vice president is sworn in, james taylor will be singing "america the beautiful." then following that, john roberts, jr., the chief justice of the united states will administer the oath of office to the president. we just saw 88-year-old jimmy carter arriving on the scene. former presidents are almost always in attendance at these events, but today, george herbert walker bush and his son, george w. bush are not in attendance. the elder mr. bush has recently been released from a month-long stay in the

. >> in honor of martin luther king day, the inaugural invocation was delivered by myrlie evers williamsfe of the slain civil rights leader, medgar evans. >> 100 years after the emancipation proclamation and 50 years after the march on washington, we celebrate the spirit of our ancestors. >> vice president biden was sworn in by supreme court justice sonia sotomayor. >> so help me god. >> so help me god. >> congratulations. ♪ ♪ oh beautiful >> then, james taylor's rendition of "america the beautiful." ♪ then the moment was at hand. the president swore his oath on two bibles. one was abraham lincoln's, the other dr. martin luther king junior's. >> protect and defend -- >> the constitution of the united states. >> the constitution of the united states. >> so help you god. >> so help me god. >> and unlike four years ago, chief justice roberts and the president made it through, using the correct wording. ♪ >> barack h. obama! >> and then came the president's second inaugural address. >> this generation of americans has been tested by crises that steeled our resolve and proved our resilience.

they went after him for the israel, for comments he made about -- >> myrlie evers, widow of the late,reat myrlie evers. >> america, we are here, our nation's capitol, on this day, january 21, 2013, the inauguration of our 45th president, barack obama. we come at this time to ask blessings upon our leaders. the president, vice president, members of congress, all elected and appointed officials of the united states of america. we are here to ask blessings upon our armed forces, blessings upon all who contribute to the essence of the american spirit. the american dream. the opportunity to become whatever our mankind, womankind allows us to be. this is the promise of america. as we sing the words of belief, this is my country, let us act upon the meaning that everyone is included. may the inherent dignity and inalienable rights of every woman, man, boy and girl be honored. may all your people, especially the least of these, flourish in our blessed nation. 150 years after the emancipation proclamation and 50 years after the march on washington, we celebrate the spirit of our ancestors whic

after senator schumer makes remarks, he'll be introducing myrlie evers-williams. generation. >> the at last time this played out at the inauguration, is joseph lowery, martin king's, gave a benediction at the end. he recited from james weldon johnson, who used to be known as the negro national anthem in the old days. it was an incredibly resonant moment. and i think we're going to see the same thing here with the widow of medgar evers. in her own life, has done such amazing things with race, and children and the poor. amazing woman. >> waiting for the announcement of vice president biden. ♪ >> ladies and gentlemen, the vice president of the united states, joseph r. biden, accompanied by inaugural coordinator for the joint cessional committee, kelly fedo, sergeant at arms, martina brad ford, senate majority leader, harry reid, and house democratic leader, nancy pelosi. >> his opponent, the last campaign, congressman paul ryan. i congratulate president obama on his inauguration. and i join the country in this celebration. ♪ the president has the same look in his eye

he made multiple references to god and to religion and apropos that right now, myrlie evers-williams,dgar evers, who was slain 50 years ago in 1963 is giving the benediction for these ceremonies, and this is only the second time, by the way, that a presidential inauguration has taken place on martin luther king day. the first time, don, was when you were there in the white house in 1997 for president clinton. let's listen to miss williams. >> let us act upon the meaning that everyone is included. may the inherent dignity and inalienable rights of every woman, man, boy, and girl be honored. may all your people, especially the least of these, flourish in our blessed nation. 150 years after the emancipation proclamation and 50 years after the march on washington, we celebrate the spirit of our ancestors, which has allowed us to move from a nation of unborn hopes and a history of disinfranchised votes to today's expression of a more perfect union. we ask, too, almighty, that where our paths seem blanketed by thorns of oppression and riddled by pangs of despair, we ask for your guidance to

myrlie evers williams, the widow of medgar evers became the first woman to deliver the inaugural prayerichard blanco is the first latino to recite the inaugural poem, as well as the first openly gay american to perform the honor. supreme court justice sonia sotomayor became the first hispanic american to administer the oath of office when she swore in vice president joe biden. president obama spoke with these historical moments in mind during his speech. >> our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law. our journey is not complete until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see america as a land of opportunity. >> in many ways, this speech was progressives. this is what we have been waiting for to hear for four years. the president is older now, and certainly wiser to the position about how washington works. but at least for today he will not let trivial politics derail the progressive course that this country is on. president obama looked out to the crowd on the national mall today and saw

on the program, myrlie evers, the widow of medgar evers, on the program, sonya sotomayo justice. show me the change that we're talking about. >> no question. when hispanics, when gay and lesbian and bisexual and transgender people, when people who have been excluded come forward, it is not at the expense of the people, but it's important for everybody. and that is his theme. it is a better america. it is a more prosperous america. it is when you employ the talents of everybody. by the way, we saw that. white men dominated the manufacturing in america. and then, wabecause so many guy had to go overseas to defend freedom, all of that opened up. so for the first time, african americans and women were important. that didn't cost white guys their jobs. that expanded america's base. america was able to be the great ar arsenal with democracy and beat this terribly evil source. and that's an important sentiment. and ill have to say, that phrase, you know, as a guy who talks for a living, seneca falls to stonewall or selma, that's the chance of political rhetoric. that's, i think, got a r

. >> myrlie evers-williams, we're looking forward to your three minutes, we can't wait. >> so am i. >> so great to see you. >>> so a man who marched alongside martin luther king jr. during the civil rights era, congressman john lewis, he will be here, we will speak to him in just a moment. >> we're going to talk about what this inauguration means for him and also the challenges still ahead in the president's second term. [ tylenol bottle ] nyquil what are you doing? [ nyquil bottle ] just reading your label. wait...you relieve nasal congestion? sure don't you? [ nyquil bottle ] dude! [ female announcer ] tylenol® cold multi-symptom nighttime relieves nasal congestion. nyquil® cold and flu doesn't. ♪ ♪ [ male announcer ] you don't have to be a golf pro to walk like one. ♪ when you walk 10,000 steps a day, it's the same as walking a professional golf course. humana. health and well-being partner of the pga tour. humana. officemax can help you drive suand down.s down... use your maxperks card and get a 10-ream case of officemax multiuse paper for just 4.99 after maxperks rewards. find th

last night, i had a chance to visit with myrlie evers-williams.lked about a number of things last night, but particularly the thrill she said she got when she was called to come and give the inr rinvocati here at the inauguration. she does so with the first avenue can american president of this country on a holiday named in honor of martin luther king jr. who like mickers evers gave his life for freedom. we talked about trying to promote his legacy. it's been a tough journey. here is how she described it. >> it's been difficult, but it's worked. because when you remove yourself from the anger and the bitterness and you focus on the positive, and you search for the meaning, for the anger and the hatred that took this man's life, you either sink to that level or you ride above it all. >> she has risen above it all. she is bell here, we think, about 11:35. she says she's very excited about it, brian. >> ron mott as the crowd begins to gather for this second inaugural, thank you very much. doris kearns goodwin, we mentioned it's a new addition since f

but he does admit he continued with the story of his dying girlfriend even after learning she was myrliee told katie couric. >> you stuck to the script and you knew that something was amis, manti. >> mm-hmm. correct. >> why? >> well, put yourself in my situation. katie, put yourself in my situation. this girl i committed myself to died on september 12th. now i get a phone call on december 6 saying she's alive and i'm going to be put on national tv two days later and ask me about the same question. you know, what would you do? >> what would you do? bob dorfman is a sports marketing analyst and executive vice president with baker street advertising. good morning, bob. >> good morning. >> you know, there's no doubt that the media in large part packaged manti te'o into this likeable emotional figure so that people would watch football games, is that fair? >> that's fair. i mean i think it really is part of his personality, but, yeah, you know, every successful athlete is a brand so in a sense they're packages a little bit. >> exactly. and you don't get attention unless you have this touching

i would like to introduce myrlie evers-williams.uguration of our 45th president for barack obama. we, at this time to ask lessons upon our leaders, president, vice president, members of congress all elected and appointed officials of the united states of america. we are here to ask blessings upon all who contribute to the essence of the american. -- american spirit, the american dream. the opportunity to become whatever in mankind or womenkind allows us to be. this is the promise of america. let's act upon team meeting that everyone is included. it may be inherent dignity and in alienable rights of every warming, a man, boy, and girl be honored. make all your people, especially the least of these flourished in our blessed nation. 150 years after the emancipation proclamation and 50 years after the march on washington we celebrate the. -- spirit of our ancestors. it is a nation of on bormann hopes and a history of this enfranchised folks to the suppression of a more perfect union. -- expression of a more perfect union. we ask that wh

he'll be followed by myrlie evers-williams, she's the widow of murdered civil rights leader medgar evers. he was shot and killed in his driveway in june, 1963. there's a strong theme of civil rights and a history of the civil rights movement in today's inauguration. in part because the inaugural ceremonies fall on the same day as the federal holiday honoring the birthday of martin luther king. this is the second time the inaugural has fallen on this federal holiday. the first time was bill clinton's second inaugural in 1997, also on martin luther king day that year. today after things kickoff at 11:30 and the innovation from myrlie evers-williams, at 11:40 the brooklyn tabernacle choir will sing followed by justice sonya sotomayor swearing in vice president biden. then at 11:50 we'll hear from james taylor. he will sing "america the beautiful." at 11:55 chief justice john roberts swearing in president barack obama. then there's a 21-gun salute in case you have not heard one in a while. that's a lot of guns. please don't be alarmed. then it will be "hail to the chief" played publicly to g

the indication will be by myrlie evers-williams. justice so much york -- sotomayor did the officials were in for biden yesterday. then at the swearing in to office by chief justice john roberts. the president will deliver his inaugural address. roby musical performance by kellie clarkson -- there will be a musical performance by kelly clarkson. finally, beyonce will close the ceremony with the national anthem. for lunch. we will be able to show you the toast their lives. -- there live. the next call comes from david on our republican line. caller: the morning. i wanted to thank you for taking my call. i believe that this is a very sad day. the mayor, i knew, the america one i do not know if she can ever come back. host: why? caller: i grew up with work ethic. you work hard to get what you want. the government was your ally, not adversaries. it seems to me it is tax and spend. let's not talk about the deficit. let's talk about gun control. these priorities are skewed. host: that was stated in the bronx, new york. we want to show you

. >> also, saw flash there of myrlie evers. her husband gunned down in front of his family. husband. >> the honorable charles e. schumer. >> mr. president, mr. vice president, members of congress, all who are present, and to all who are watching, welcome to the capitol and to this celebration of our great democracy. now -- this is the 57th inauguration of an american president and no matter how many times one witnesses this event, simplicity, its innate majesty, and most of all its meaning, that sacred yet cautious and entrusting of power, from we the people to our chosen leader, never fails to make one's heart beat faster and as it will today with the inauguration of president barack h. obama. now we know that we would not be here today were it not for those who stand guard around the world to preserve our freedom, to those in our armed forces, we offer our infinite thanks. for your bravery, your honor, your sacrifice. >> say hi. >> this democracy of ours was forged by intellect ask argument. by acty advicem and blood. and above all, from john adams to elizabeth stanton to

i would like to introduce myrlie evers-williams.ciples. she will lead the nation in the invocation. [applause] >> america,>> we are here on this day january the 21st 2013. this day january the 21st 2013. the inauguration of our