Barack Obama opens presidential center in Chicago, urges Americans to defend democracy

Former US President Barack Obama formally opened his presidential center in Chicago on Thursday with a call to defend democracy. Three former presidents joined him on stage in an extraordinary event featuring politicians, A-list celebrities, athletes, and other internationally known figures.

"I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious our democracy truly is and remind us what we can achieve when we embrace our shared responsibilities as citizens," Obama told the crowd. Performers included Bono, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, and Eddie Vedder, followed by Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder, who closed the show singing "Higher Ground" as the former presidents and others danced along.

President Donald Trump was conspicuous in his physical absence and was not mentioned by any speakers or performers. Trump had called the $850 million center a "total disaster" in a social media post in February.

Obama voiced his support for character, honesty, integrity, kindness, compassion, and sense of duty, praising both Democrats and Republicans, including those he defeated. "Every president here today, as different as we are, has tried our best to uphold values that John McCain and Mitt Romney believed in no less than I did," Obama said.

Reflecting on his arrival in Chicago in 1985 as an untested political organizer, he said he could not have built the Obama Presidential Center anywhere else. "It’s an expression of thanks, an acknowledgment that so much of what I hold most dear I owe to the people of this city and the people of the surrounding neighborhoods," Obama said.

Michelle Obama spoke directly to her husband. "Eight years in the crucible and not once did you melt in the heat. Not once did you let it harden you. Instead, you used it to reveal your truest essence," she said. She ticked off highlights from his eight years in office, including ordering the raid that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden, "standing up for marriage equality," and "listening to science."

Jennifer Hudson sang the national anthem, and Aguilera delivered a rousing rendition of "What a Wonderful World." Vedder, joined by Chicago teenagers, sang an original song called "Better Believe." Legend sang "Someday We’ll All Be Free" and was joined by rapper Common and Uniting Voices Chicago for their Oscar-winning song "Glory." Bono, along with The Edge, sang U2's "City of Blinding Lights." The Roots served as the house band. Springsteen sang "Land of Hopes and Dreams" before telling the Obamas "I love you." Wonder sang "All I Do" and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" before the grand finale with all performers.

The VIP crowd included several potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates; civil rights leaders Andrew Young and Al Sharpton; Oprah Winfrey; comedians David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, and Stephen Colbert; actor Tom Hanks; tennis legend Billie Jean King; and Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts. Former world leaders included German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The three-hour invite-only celebration included commentary from a nearby park where thousands gathered, and it was livestreamed. It kicks off a weekend of events as the center opens to the general public on Juneteenth.

"This is not a monument to the Obamas," said Valerie Jarrett, Obama Foundation CEO. "This is a tribute to all those who made this journey possible."

The opening had a heavy focus on accomplishments, but Obama also expressed regrets, such as increased political polarization during his two terms. "It’s one of the few regrets of my presidency — that the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better," Obama said.

General admission tickets for the center are sold out through October. More than a million visitors a year are expected at the nearly 20-acre campus. (FRANCE 24 with AP)