Amazing. People are streaming onto the Mall

[cali]

CNN is broadcasting footage of people just flocking to the inauguration- 6 hours before the swearing in. Reporter says it's been going on for hours.

This is just all so mind boggling.

[elleng]

1. Yup! WaPo says

Posted at 5:12 AM ET, 01/20/2009
Crowds Hit the Mall
Thousands of spectators have already packed the mall in front of the Air and Space Museum, throwing down blankets and in some cases jumping right into sleeping bags.

-- Steve Hendrix

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/inauguration-watch/?hpid=topnews

[Glimmer of Hope]

2. I saw this when I turned on the TV at 5:2am. It is currently only 20 degrees in DC.

[Historic NY]

4. Hopefully they know about the warm steam grates.

[lamp_shade]

3. I understand gates opened at 4:00

[SeattleGirl]

5. I've been watching too.

Amazing. Just amazing!

[cali]

6. Watching this transpire

is unbelievable. Reporting that people are walking in over the bridges that are closed to vehicular traffic. Saying that crowd estimates may be exceeded.

[SeattleGirl]

7. I wouldn't be surprised.

And you know, the people coming in right now are those without tickets. Those who just want to be as close to history as they can.

Amazed, I tell you. I'm just amazed.

[redstate_democrat]

8. This is amazing.

People are swarming D.C. The crowd estimates will be shattered today. There will be millions of folks on the mall. This is absolutely amazing.