Champagne day »
People celebrate the end of Donald Trump’s presidency from Oakland to San Jose to San Francisco
People take to streets for Biden.
At first, there were sporadic firecrackers and the clanging of pots and pans. Soon, there was Champagne. As the morning sun grew warmer Saturday, thousands of Bay Area residents filled the streets to celebrate the news that Democrat Joe Biden and Oakland native Kamala Harris finally had defeated President Donald Trump.
Just before 8:30 a. m., when the networks and the Associated Press declared Biden had won Pennsylvania’s agonizingly tight race, surpassing the 270 votes he will need in the electoral college, the celebrations began with car horns and shouts of joy.
“Overjoyed and relieved” is how Imani Brown described her emotions, standing outside her San Francisco home waving a rainbow-colored U.S. flag while her wife, Jenny Kline, drank a glass of champagne.
“I was happy to wait for every single vote to be counted because we worked really hard this election to make sure everyone voted,” Brown said. “Absolutely worth the wait.”
Biden addressed the nation Saturday evening, crediting the “most diverse coalition history” for his win, and singling out Black Americans in particular. “You’ve always had my back, and I’ll have yours,” Biden said.
He said that on Monday he would name a team of scientists and other experts who will produce a “blueprint” for fighting the pandemic, to be implemented when he takes office Jan. 20. Biden gave a rundown of his priorities: creating prosperity and secure health care, rooting out “systemic racism,” and “getting climate under control.” He would also work to “restore decency” and “defend democracy,” he said, along with promoting unity over division. “It’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again,” Biden said.
Across the country, tens of thousands of people poured into the streets, elated not only at Biden’s victory, but the fact that America has elected its first woman vice president in Harris. They laughed, cried, shouted and danced and in some cases relaxed for the first time in four years, hopeful that Biden can do something to unify a country rife with divisions over everything from how to rein in the virus to criminal justice.
In Delaware, Kamala Harris stopped a late morning jog to phone her running mate in a video posted on Twitter: “We did it, Joe.”
In Oakland, Lake Merritt became an impromptu parade site, and revelers gathered at the Grand Lake Theater, which has famously used its marquee to communicate progressive political and anti-war messages over the years.
“It’s been really stressful,” said Brooks Hassig, of Emeryville, who was in line for coffee when the news arrived. “While it still feels like the work is just beginning, this moment of catharsis is really important.” Darnarryl Evans, a certified nursing assistant, pumped his fist and cheered at others on the sidewalk.
“The pandemic’s been off- the- chains tough for people on the frontlines,” Evans said. “This is at least some fresh air — I’m juiced, I’m excited!”
In San Francisco, people shouted from rooftops in the Mission District and spilled into the streets in the Castro. In San Jose’s Willow Glen, elated Biden supporters celebrated in front of their houses and shared champagne with passing dog walkers.
“It’s been a four-year nightmare and it’s over and that’s why people are dancing in the streets,” said Rep. Jackie Speier, a San Mateo Democrat.
“This was truly the victory America needed, to be the America we know we can be,” tweeted Gov. Gavin Newsom. “From America’s largest state: Congratulations to the next president and vice president of these United States.”
Kaycee Morales, of San Leandro, was driving on Highway 24, taking her two young children to a park in Walnut Creek when she pulled off the freeway to thank five protesters flying Trump flags on the El Curtola Bridge overpass above.
Yet, across the Bay Area, Biden supporters largely drow ned out dejected Trump fans.
Stephanie Taylor held a life-size cutout of Biden outside San Jose City Hall.
“We’ve been so stressed out with Trump’s response to the pandemic,” Taylor said. “I just feel like I can breathe again.”
Andy and Amy Jensen and their three daughters woke to celebrate Andy’s 44th birthday with breakfast and presents, but when they heard the news, they jumped in their Honda SUV and joined a celebration in downtown Walnut Creek. The former Chicago residents brought along a Chicago Cubs “W” flag to wave from their sun roof.
“We felt like this is the best birthday Andy ever could have had,” Amy Jensen said.
Socoro Tamayo- Perez, a junior at San Jose State University, was at her job at a senior living center when she happened to see a Snapchat post from a friend saying Biden had won.
“I thought, ‘ Wait! What’s going on?’ ” said TamayoPerez, whose parents are Mexican immigrants. “I felt like a lot of the pressure I had been feeling last couple days — that big weight had been lifted off. I feel like I’m at peace, and I can finally breathe.”
Tamayo-perez also was happy about Harris’s elevation to the vice presidency — though she said she had concerns about her criminal justice record as state attorney general. Still, TamayoPerez said, “It’s about time we have a woman of color in that position.”
In Berkeley, where Harris spent much of her childhood, Mayor Jesse Arreguín said the community’s progressive values helped shape Harris into a “leader that stands for equality, empowerment and justice.”
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf joined the crowds at Lake Merritt. She didn’t hold back her emotions speaking about Harris, whom Schaaf met long before either worked in politics. “Kamala, my sister, my friend, my fellow Oaktown girl,” Schaaf said, “we are hella proud of you!”