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Charlotte residents, local students weigh in on historic inauguration

Millions of eyes were on Washington, D.C. as Donald Trump was sworn in as the president of the United States. People watched from their homes, schools and some even made the trip from the Charlotte area to the nation’s capital to witness history.

[Read Donald Trump's inaugural speech - full transcript]

One of Trump’s campaign managers in Gaston County, David Masters, organized a trip to Washington for a busload of people. More than 50 supporters got on a bus Thursday morning and headed to the capital.

Masters told Channel 9 that Sen. Thom Tillis gave him a ticket to sit close enough to see Trump from a distance during the inauguration.

“It was an awesome thing that I was able to get them, because up until we left yesterday I wasn’t sure we were going to get a ticket,” Masters said.

Also among the supporters was a veteran from Concord, Mark Stancill. He knocked on doors to help drum up votes for both Trump and Rep. Mark Meadows, and was excited to be in Washington to see all of his hard work pay off.

“I thought it was good because he laid down the line and he didn’t pull any punches,” Stancil said.

But while there were thousands who came to support Trump, thousands of others protested his inauguration.

Masters told Channel 9 that some protesters blocked supporters from getting to Capitol Hill. He said there were rude exchanges between some protesters who were standing shoulder to shoulder while supporters tried to enter the gates and get to their seats.

(VIEWER VIDEO: Local man shoots video of protesters in DC)

Stacey Selkin from Charlotte is one of thousands who will take part in the Women’s March on Saturday, protesting Trump's policies.

“We are standing up for our rights as women, as human beings,” Selkin said. “We are part of a community where all people should be treated equally. This country was based on that, freedom of religion, freedom of speech.”

The Women’s March is taking place in cities nationwide including Charlotte.

Inauguration resources:

Political analysis of inauguration speech

Channel 9 reporter Mark Becker watched the inauguration and Trump’s speech with Catawba College political science professor Dr. Michael Bitzer.

Bitzer said he felt that Trump outlined his vision and agenda clearly and probably hit themes that will keep coming up during Trump’s presidency.

(Click PLAY to watch Donald Trump be sworn into office)

Bitzer said Trump carried a tone of populism in his inauguration speech, saying he wanted to take power from politicians in Washington and give it back to the people.

“Because this moment is your moment, it belongs to you,” Trump told the crowd who gathered to watch the inauguration.

“I think this was a very natural appeal to people who have felt out of place, who have lacked a voice,” Bizter said.

Another theme that Trump had in his speech was making sure to put America first during his presidency.

“I thought it was very much in his kind of approach that he took during the campaign and that what we will see during his tenure as president,” Bitzer said.

But while Trump spoke about a united America, Bitzer said the president has a long way to go.

“I think the bitterness of the past election instilled that bitter feeling, especially among Democrats, and that’s not going away anytime soon.

Local students react to presidential inauguration

Channel 9 reporter Greg Suskin watched the inauguration with juniors and seniors at Westminster Catawba Christian School in Rock Hill.

The massive crowds, the music and all of the pageantry showed the teenagers the significance to the day, but it was the new president’s comments that they wanted to hear the most.

Some said they were glad that Trump reached out and talked about the people as one.

“I really think he did a good job of making it outward focused. It wasn’t quite so much about himself,” said senior Hannah Basha.

“Him mentioning we’re gonna be here for all Americans and not just some select few, a lot of people think he’s in it for himself and everything,” senior Nick Kendrick added.

Trump promised to listen to those with no voice, bring jobs back and rebuild America during his speech. But some students wondered how.

“I don’t know how well he’ll be able to keep all his promises, because he sure made a lot of them, but all we can do is pray and hope for the best,” Kendrick said.

Students told Channel 9 they were fascinated that it only took a matter of minutes and few simple oaths to transfer power from one president to the other. Some said that while they’re skeptical of what’s ahead, they’re hopeful that the ugliness of the campaign will fade and the new president will be willing to work with everyone and make a lasting difference.

“I don’t want to be that we accomplish some things, and then four years later, we just undo everything that he’s done,” Basha said.

“We’ve always got that hopeful sense in us, that maybe it will turn out OK,” said senior Jacob Haley.

Trump also spoke about a new vision beginning Friday, and said that those who feel ignored won’t be ignored any more. Students at Catawba Christian School said they want to see the action behind those words.

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