LOCAL LIB DEMS TO CELEBRATE BARACK OBAMA BECOMNG AMERICA'S FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT

12.00.00am GMT Mon 19th Jan 2009

Sheffield Lib Dems will celebrate the inauguration of America's first black President tomorrow. Lib Dem Sheffield City Council is to host a 'Question Time' style discussion panel at the Town Hall on Thursday, January 22 at 5:30pm to mark this significant event. The topic of discussion will be the impact of Obama's inauguration on communities in Sheffield, and the need to encourage greater involvement in politics from communities in Sheffield, particularly young people.

President-elect Barack Obama is to become the first ever black man to take the top job in the United States of America. He will be inaugurated into the role on January 20, when he takes over the reins from retiring President George Bush.

Lib Dem Sheffield City Council Leader Councillor Paul Scriven said: "The inauguration of President Obama is history in the making. We think it is only right that Sheffield as a forward thinking city which embraces all cultures, shares and celebrates this event along with people in the US and across the world. "

The discussion panel will include Cllr Sylvia Anginotti, Cabinet Member for Employment and Enterprise from Sheffield City Council, Des Smith, Chair of SADACCA, and representatives from Sheffield Cathedral, the Sheffield Irish Association, and Sheffield's Muslim Community. The discussion is open for everyone to attend, but numbers are limited. Call Rachel King on 0114 205 3547 to book your place and submit your questions for discussion.

SADACCA on the Wicker will also be holding an event to celebrate the inauguration, on Sunday 25 January at 2pm to 4pm. The event is open to everybody, and light refreshments will be provided.

Des Smith, Chair of SADACCA, said: "We wanted to celebrate the inauguration to show the city's support for the new US president. It means a lot to black and ethnic minority communities to see a black president being elected, and we're proud to show our support with these events."

The event dates have been chosen to fall after the inauguration date, so that people can see the celebrations in America at home, and celebrate with Sheffield later in the week.