A crowd of thousands helped President Barack Obama kick off his 2012 re-election campaign in the Bay Area Wednesday.
The campaign stop at the Nob Hill Masonic Center was hip, full equipped with a DJ with turn tables and live music by Goapele to keep things moving.
Supporters paid $25 to $2,500 for a seat in the auditorium. But outside, protesters waved signs and chanted for their causes.
Hoping the president would hear messages about everything from ending the wars to taxing the rich.
Jon Meade said he voted for Obama in 2008 but h’s not sure if he will vote for the president again in 2012.
He is angry the rich get richer while workers scrape by.
"Working people need to come out and raise hell because he won’t be able to do anything unless we change how we spend money in this country," the San Francisco resident said.
Obama made it clear this is a crucial time.
Telling supporters his work is not done and he needs help getting re-elected. He encouraged them to make a commitment to be in the race with him.
