President Obama's Boston Visit Delights Supporters, Draws Protesters

Information provided by pool reporter Donovan Slack of the Boston Globe via White House Media Affairs.

“Our Colors are red, white and blue. Our coach is Obama.”

Those were the words of Celtics All-Star Ray Allen during a campaign fundraiser for President Barack Obama at the South End Wednesday evening.

Allen and Hall-of-Famer Bill Russell were on hand to rev up a capacity crowd of nearly 900 at the kick-off event, one of two appearances expected to raise over $2 million for Obama’s re-election campaign.

“It's going to take a lot of dedication and a lot of work, a lot of sweat,” Allen said.

Other speakers included Massachusetts governor and long-time Obama supporter Deval Patrick, who listed off the president’s accomplishments, including the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Supporters, who waited in the rain to enter the Cyclorama earlier in the afternoon, were treated to an appearance by the president at around 5:40 p.m.

"I ran for this office to make sure everyone in America gets a fair shake,” Obama said. ”That’s why I ran and that's why you supported me."

Outside, supporters lined Tremont Street holding posters and photographs of the president. They stood side-by-side with protesters of immigration and government bailouts, who waved signs denouncing the Obama administration. Members of the Political Action Committee LaRouche held posters depicting the president with a mustache similar to Hitler's.

Arguably the only effect on Jamaica Plain for the visit was a 15-20 delay on the Orange Line. Subway trains are not allowed to run under a presidential motorcade.