Celebrations erupt in major U.S. cities after Biden election win

[rooster59]

Celebrations erupt in major U.S. cities after Biden election win

By Aram Roston and Mark Makela

 

People in the New York borough of Brooklyn mark the calling of the U.S. presidential election for Democrat Joe Biden with a spontaneous celebration. REUTERS/Jonathan Oatis

 

WASHINGTON/PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Joe Biden supporters banged pots, honked their car horns and set off fireworks across U.S. cities on Saturday after the Democratic presidential nominee won the White House in a narrow victory over Republican President Donald Trump.

 

But some in Trump's camp also turned out to show that, for them, the election was not over.

 

Minutes after major television networks declared Biden the winner following four nail-biting days since Tuesday's election, hundreds of people, most of them wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, streamed to the White House to celebrate outside a security fence as the sound of booming fireworks was heard in the distance.

 

"I was on the bus and I jumped off the bus to come right down here to the White House," said Washington resident Donna Thomas. "It is something to celebrate. We have been waiting so long."

 

Streets were closed to traffic as Biden supporters marched with an assortment of LGBTQ, Black Lives Matter and American flags. Some carried a giant balloon of Trump in the shape of a rat.

 

In front of the White House, a man wearing a Biden-Harris T-shirt lit a Trump-Pence T-shirt on fire as a crowd watched and took pictures with their cellphones.

 

In nearby Dupont Circle, several hundred people formed a parade, playing music, singing and dancing, and marched toward the White House to the sound of honking horns and clanging cowbells.

 

In Washington's Petworth neighborhood, Kool & The Gang's "Celebration" and Curtis Mayfield's "Move on Up" could be heard playing loudly as neighbors hooted and cars sounded their horns.

 

On Pennsylvania Avenue, a steady stream of celebrants made their way in front of the Trump Hotel, occasionally stopping to stick up their middle fingers at the hotel, wave “bye-bye” or mock the president.

 

“Na-na, na-na-na-na, hey-hey, Good-bye,” sang one impromptu crowd. Many stopped to pose with two posters someone had left in front of the hotel that said: “Don’t be a sore loser,” “Face reality” and “Lock Him Up.”

 

Sisters Barbara and Debora Caruth were among those who stopped and posed for photos in front of the hotel’s massive stone archways.

 

“We got rid of a guy who didn’t even try to represent the country,” said Debora Caruth, 59.

 

'WORTH EVERY MINUTE'

 

In Delaware, loud cheers erupted in the halls of the hotel where Biden aides are staying. "Worth every minute (of the wait)", a Biden aide said. Campaign staff exchanged elbow bumps and air hugs in the hotel lobby.

 

The sun was shining in nearby Philadelphia, where Biden's 80.8% to 18.3% win over Trump tipped the election in the Democrat's favor.

 

Enjoying the unseasonably warm weather, Biden supporters cheered, danced and hugged on the streets. Sisters Nyla, 11, and Jada Carter, 23, chanted "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" at Trump supporters gathered across the street.

 

In New Orleans, Dana Clark, an African-American woman who stood in line for more than eight hours to cast her vote for Biden, all the while holding her 18-month-old son, Mason, in her arms, said she was overjoyed.

 

"I'm at my older son's soccer game right now, and I just started running all around the field when I saw the news," Clark said.

People in New York City danced in the streets and cheered from balconies, brownstone stoops and rooftops - with Biden-Harris signs and American flags - to cheer the Democrat's win.

 

At Columbus Circle, a planned demonstration turned into a dance party celebrating New York and the election's result while revelers at Washington Square Park danced and splashed in the park's fountain.

 

In Atlanta, shouts, cheers and fireworks rang out in the Democratic stronghold of East Atlanta Village as word spread that Biden was named the winner.

 

Atlanta nurse and lifelong Democrat Emily Dietl, 36, said she felt relieved, but was curious to see how Trump would respond.

 

"He won't be gracious, I'll tell you that," Dietl said.

 

Trump, who has made repeated claims of electoral fraud without providing evidence, immediately accused Biden of "rushing to falsely pose as the winner."

 

"This election is far from over," Trump said in a statement.

 

Some of Trump's supporters were not ready to stand down either.

 

In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the state that put Biden over the 270 Electoral College votes he needed for victory, about 100 pro-Trump "Stop the Steal" protesters demonstrated in front of the State Capitol building, facing off against about the same number of Biden supporters.

 

Hundreds of Trump supporters gathered on the steps of the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing on Saturday, waving Trump-Pence flags to shouts of "This is not over" and "We will be here forever."

 

At the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix, tensions were running high as supporters of the Republican president, some carrying firearms, showed up by the hundreds, chanting "Trump won" and "We will win in court." They blamed the media for declaring Biden the winner. "The media is part of the coup!" one protester shouted.

 

(Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in Wilmington, Delaware, Gabriella Borter in Chicago, Jonathan Landay, Ted Hesson, Humeyra Pamuk, Idrees Ali, Jim Oliphant and Raphael Satter in Washington, David DeKok in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Shannon Stapleton in Lansing, Michigan, Brad Brooks in Lubbock, Texas, Mimi Dwyer in Phoenix, Arizona; Writing by Mary Milliken; additional reporting and writing by Maria Caspani in New York and Rich McKay in Atlanta; Editing by Diane Craft, Helen Popper, Paul Simao and Jonathan Oatis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-11-08

 

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[Tug]

Yes indeed it’s like a dark miasma has been blown away a new clean healing breeze wafting across the country and the world for that matter we are back World it’s been a long dark four years we are back!!!

[Chomper Higgot]

It is what it is - Fabulous news.

 

Decency has beaten hatred and lies.

 

On a personal note, a big thank you to this forum’s liberal members.

 

[Somtamnication]

Sadly, a tough race. I cannot believe how many of his base actually exists. That country is so divided. It will take decades to recover a sense of civility.

[EVENKEEL]

Guess all the businesses who boarded up their stores can remove and restore all the plywood. If Trump won It would have been needed. 

[Chomper Higgot]

Just now, EVENKEEL said:

Guess all the businesses who boarded up their stores can remove and restore all the plywood. If Trump won It would have been needed. 

Trump didn’t win.

 

Let’s deal with that reality.

 

 

[mtls2005]

Finally, we've rounded the corner.

 

After a brief celebration it's time to deal with COVID head-on, and many other challenges facing us as a country.

 

Congratulations to Joe and Kamala.

 

 

[PatOngo]

3 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Guess all the businesses who boarded up their stores can remove and restore all the plywood. If Trump won It would have been needed. 

Seems the Proud Boys have found a use for their AR15's, they've shot themselves in the foot! Stand down Proud Boys, you lost! 

[baansgr]

6 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Trump didn’t win.

 

Let’s deal with that reality.

 

 

The reality will hit home hard very soon for US Expats...Greenback is already down...

[EVENKEEL]

11 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Trump didn’t win.

 

Let’s deal with that reality.

 

 

I was referring to the businesses in DC who boarded up their windows anticipating rioting for the election. Have there been riots? No. It would lead me to believe the businesses feared the liberals. 

[Chomper Higgot]

1 minute ago, EVENKEEL said:

I was referring to the businesses in DC who boarded up their windows anticipating rioting for the election. Have there been riots? No. It would lead me to believe the businesses feared the liberals. 

 

Enjoy the victory for democracy - the people have spoken.

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

23 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

Seems the Proud Boys have found a use for their AR15's, they've shot themselves in the foot! Stand down Proud Boys, you lost! 

I wouldn’t right off extreme right wingers just yet.

 

This result is going to be difficult for many to come to terms with, those who felt empowered by Trump’s support of their hatred are going to have a particularly difficult journey back to the new political reality.

[Lacessit]

34 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Guess all the businesses who boarded up their stores can remove and restore all the plywood. If Trump won It would have been needed. 

Perhaps the market in flak jackets will expand, plenty of gun-toting rusted-on Trump supporters, with a lame duck President stirring them up.

[Lacessit]

15 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

I was referring to the businesses in DC who boarded up their windows anticipating rioting for the election. Have there been riots? No. It would lead me to believe the businesses feared the liberals. 

So if they don't remove the plywood, what does that say?

[EVENKEEL]

2 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Perhaps the market in flak jackets will expand, plenty of gun-toting rusted-on Trump supporters, with a lame duck President stirring them up.

Don't know what you're trying to say, maybe it makes sense to the brits.

[EVENKEEL]

2 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

So if they don't remove the plywood, what does that say?

It won't make the news.

[Lacessit]

2 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Don't know what you're trying to say, maybe it makes sense to the brits.

You are banging on about the liberals, I meant they'll need the flak jackets for protection.

[Lacessit]

2 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

It won't make the news.

You mean not even Fox and Hannity will be on it?

[sucit]

The president elect, Harris, seems to be confirmed, but the uncertainty isn't. One riot can spread like wildfire. Trump still has the presidency and can make a speech anytime he wants, unless the US media feel like censoring him some more. 

 

The reason people are happy is because they hate Trump. I can see that. But please don't tell me people are actually happy and excited about a Harris presidency. They may think that, but that is just a delusion. We are talking about a candidate who barely beat Trump, of all people, during a presidency with a pandemic and who had weird polling data on his side most likely slightly skewing results. I don't see that as a great vote of confidence. We'll see though, I certainly give Harris a chance. 

Edited November 8, 2020 by sucit

[EVENKEEL]

8 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

You mean not even Fox and Hannity will be on it?

Report back if you see it, I don't watch Fox News.

[Thailand]

Let the litigation begin.

 

And what are the betting odds on a black  female president within 2 years?

[placeholder]

4 minutes ago, sucit said:

The president elect, Harris, seems to be confirmed, but the uncertainty isn't. One riot can spread like wildfire. Trump still has the presidency and can make a speech anytime he wants, unless the US media feel like censoring him some more. 

 

The reason people are happy is because they hate Trump. I can see that. But please don't tell me people are actually happy and excited about a Harris presidency. They may think that, but that is just a delusion. We are talking about a candidate who barely beat Trump, of all people, during a presidency with a pandemic and who had weird polling data on his side most likely slightly skewing results. I don't see that as a great vote of confidence. We'll see though, I certainly give Harris a chance. 

You're so gracious in defeat. 

[herfiehandbag]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It is what it is - Fabulous news.

 

Decency has beaten hatred and lies.

 

On a personal note, a big thank you to this forum’s liberal members.

 

Not to mention those many of us conservatives (both within the USA and outside) who recognise and oppose the racist, self centred, narcissistic, authoritarian neofacism of Trump

which is still alive and kicking. A state of mind which is summed up by the way that protestors in Arizona, outside the counting centred and the courts, turned up carrying guns. I'm pleased decency has won. I am concerned at the trouble which the loser will stir up.

Edited November 8, 2020 by herfiehandbag

[sucit]

1 minute ago, placeholder said:

You're so gracious in defeat. 

I am not a Trump supporter. 

 

But, answer this. If everyone is so high on Biden right now, and not just high because of their hate for Trump, why was a basically a huge underperformer in much of the primary? He was almost universally ignored, which was scary given his name recognition. But, now that he's won, he is the greatest. People are just happy because they hate Trump. Biden is in no way a strong, admirable candidate, and people know it. 

[placeholder]

2 minutes ago, sucit said:

I am not a Trump supporter. 

 

But, answer this. If everyone is so high on Biden right now, and not just high because of their hate for Trump, why was a basically a huge underperformer in much of the primary? He was almost universally ignored, which was scary given his name recognition. But, now that he's won, he is the greatest. People are just happy because they hate Trump. Biden is in no way a strong, admirable candidate, and people know it. 

He was disliked by the more liberal wing of the Democrats because he was too moderate for them. That's all. As for not admirable or strong, you wouldn't happen to be a Trump supporter, would you?

[allane]

Joe; Short-term priority:  Defeat the corona virus.

         Long-term priority:  Make America sane again.

         Best of luck !

[placeholder]

2 minutes ago, allane said:

Joe; Short-term priority:  Defeat the corona virus.

         Long-term priority:  Make America sane again.

         Best of luck !

Sorry. You're wrong. And I know this because so many posters here predicted that the corona virus issue would disappear on Nov 4.

[PatOngo]

32 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Don't know what you're trying to say, maybe it makes sense to the brits.

Trump LOST! Does that make sense to you?

[Jeffr2]

47 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

I was referring to the businesses in DC who boarded up their windows anticipating rioting for the election. Have there been riots? No. It would lead me to believe the businesses feared the liberals. 

 

There are confrontations going on in cities all over the US.  Peaceful citizens celebrating Biden's success are being confronted by armed Trump supporters.  A disaster waiting to happen.  It's not the liberals that are the violent ones.  You know that.

 

16 minutes ago, Thailand said:

Let the litigation begin.

 

And what are the betting odds on a black  female president within 2 years?

 

Let's not hope something happens to Biden.  That would be bad for everyone.  But, Kamala as president in 2024 wouldn't be a bad thing.  Except to Trump's racist supporters.

[EVENKEEL]

2 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

 

There are confrontations going on in cities all over the US.  Peaceful citizens celebrating Biden's success are being confronted by armed Trump supporters.  A disaster waiting to happen.  It's not the liberals that are the violent ones.  You know that.

 

 

Let's not hope something happens to Biden.  That would be bad for everyone.  But, Kamala as president in 2024 wouldn't be a bad thing.  Except to Trump's racist supporters.

Please show links where "Armed" Trump supporters are confronting folks celebrating Biden's win. I've had CNN on now for 2 hours and not a word.