In Denver: Celebrations and a few protesters
After days of agonizing limbo over the state of the presidential race, all of a sudden it came to a close Saturday.
And with it came jubilation in the streets of deep- blue Denver, as hundreds of people descended on Colorado’s Capitol building to cheer and wave signs, cry and pop champagne. The outpouring of joy mirrored celebrations in Democratic cities across the nation Saturday morning after it was announced that former Vice President Joe Biden had won enough electoral votes to unseat President Donald Trump.
Zara Otaifah could not stop jumping up and down as she waved a Biden- Harris sign, cheering as drivers honked their horns in celebration in front of the Capitol.
Otaifah fled Iraq four years ago after ISIS killed members of her family because she worked with the Americans, she said. She said she’s feared for four years that her green card would be revoked and she’d be sent back to the Middle East.
“I can’t describe my emotions right now,” she said. “I can finally feel safe in this country.”
Nearby, Bill Jackson waved signs in support of Black Lives Matter and “veterans and military families for Biden- Harris.”
Jackson’s been protesting since 1969, he said. He’s been to Standing Rock and to pay respects to George Floyd’s family this summer. Now he can barely keep the tears from running down his cheek.
“I didn’t think I’d get so emotional,” he said, his voice quavering. “We need this so bad.”
The parade of cars downtown lasted hours, with people raising fists out of their windows and popping their heads through sunroofs to yell “We did it!” The downtown festivities came amid a backdrop of boarded up businesses and government buildings as fears of election unrest prompted proactive protection.
But Saturday saw little conflict, save for some yelling between Trump and Biden supporters in front of the Capitol. Colorado State Patrol and Denver police officers clad in riot gear formed a wall between the two groups and roped off the area to prevent the two sides from getting face- to- face.
The pro- Trump contingent sported large American flags and signs reading, “Stop the Steal” as they mimicked Trump’s unsubstantiated claims that voter fraud prevented his victory.
Jim Saunders came to the Capitol to “stand with people who want transparency,” he said. “I’m OK with the results if they’re honest.”
Lauren Boebert, the newly elected U. S. representative from Rifle, parroted the president in her reaction Saturday, tweeting that “the American people will have the final word, not the media.”
Colorado’s Democratic leaders joined the chorus of cheering Biden’s victory.
“Happy days are here again,” Gov. Jared Polis tweeted.