‘Hope’ was the message shared by young Los Angeles professionals Saturday as they launched the flagship chapter of Generation Obama - LOS ANGELES (GO-LA) in Hollywood.

In coordination with GO events in 20 cities nationwide, about 250 people gathered at Falcon on Sunset Blvd. to kickoff GO-LA, which will serve as the campaign’s official youth movement in Los Angeles.

After an encouraging video message from the Senator to his supporters, newly-appointed California political director Mitchell Schwartz energized the crowd with a speech about the campaign’s building momentum. He pointed to success in early voting states Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, and underscored why Obama’s experience makes him the leader who is best equipped to beat a Republican candidate in the general election.

Speeches were also made by LA City Council President and Obama For America co-chair of the CA Leadership Committee Eric Garcetti, who encouraged voters to “believe in possibility,” and actor Hill Harper, who read a tear-jerking excerpt from a letter the Senator had written in response to a young boy’s question: “Why is life so hard sometimes?” (We definitely needed a box of Kleenex after that one.)

The atmosphere was festive and fun, with DJs Aurelito & Shakespeare of i&i Sound System spinning as party-goers posed for photos with “HOPE,” “Fired up!” and “Ready to go!” signs. Many also recorded video messages of support for the Senator, including supermodel Tyson Beckford and the YouTube sensation, ObamaGirl Amber Ettinger.

The biggest hit of the night, however, were the “Obama LA” t-shirts made on site by Hacienda Prints. In fact, members of the GOLA team spotted some fashion-forward hipsters proudly sporting their one-of-a-kind Obama swag on the town the very next day, prompting us to proclaim that The Movement Has Begun!

View more images from this event: GOLA Slideshow