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NEW YORK: Supporters of Democrat Joe Biden banged pots, honked their car horns and lit fireworks in US cities after their candidate took the US presidency in a narrow victory over President Donald Trump.
Minutes after major television networks declared Biden the winner after four days of biting his nails since the Nov. 3 election, people flocked to the White House to celebrate outside a security fence as the sound of fireworks in the distance.
At 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 bells.
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People celebrate as the media announces that US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden won the 2020 US presidential election in the Alphabet City neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City on November 7, 2020 (Photo: Reuters / Andrew Kelly)
A woman celebrates the media by announcing that US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has won the 2020 US presidential election in the Alphabet City neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City, on November 7, 2020 (Photo: Reuters / Andrew Kelly).
Loud applause erupted in the corridors of the hotel where Biden’s assistants are staying. “It’s worth every minute” of the wait, said a Biden aide. Campaign staff exchanged elbow bumps and hugs in the hotel lobby.
In the New York neighborhood of Brooklyn, cars honked and people shook their fists and cheered on the street.
“The nightmare is over,” said Andrew Ravin, 45, while his neighbor Kenneth Henry, 51, said, “We can breathe again.”
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People celebrate in Times Square in New York after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election on November 7, 2020 (Photo: AFP / Kena Betancur).
People celebrate the news media announcing that the United States Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden won the 2020 U.S. presidential election in the Alphabet City neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City on November 7, 2020 ( Photo: Reuters / Andrew Kelly).
Screams, cheers and fireworks sounded in the East Atlanta Village neighborhood, Atlanta’s Democratic stronghold, as word spread that Biden was named the winner.
Emmi Braselton, 37, a freelance graphic designer from Atlanta, was walking her two-year-old daughter Sylvie, who asked her, “What’s all that mommy?” Braselton said.
“I told him, the good guy won. And also, now there will be a woman as vice president. And she told me, ‘I want to be president.’
READ: Kamala Harris becomes the first black woman elected as US Vice President.
A man celebrates in Philadelphia (Photo: AP / Rebecca Blackwell)
People celebrate in Philadelphia. (Photo: AP / Rebecca Blackwell)
In Maine, a band playing at a farmers market broke into the Battle Hymn of the Republic. In Louisville, Kentucky, Biden supporters gathered in their gardens to toast with champagne.
Trump supporters have been protesting for days outside of the vote-counting operations, claiming without evidence that the slow results were evidence of cheating. But on Saturday morning, it was Democrats who took to the streets in jubilant displays, celebrating what for them was the end of four years of constant crisis, chaos and anxiety.
“It’s surreal, I feel free from the clutches of evil,” said Lola Faleit, a 26-year-old human resources manager in New York City. “I worry less about my immigrant friends. In 2016, we woke up crying. Today we are celebrating. Look, the sky is clear blue, the sun is up, Mother Nature is celebrating too. “
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People celebrate in New York’s Times Square after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election (Photo: AFP / Kena Betancur)
A supporter of President-elect Joe Biden waves a flag as people celebrate in Black Lives Matter Square in front of the White House in Washington, on November 7, 2020 (Photo: AFP / Alex Edelman).
Retired teacher and school principal Kay Nicholas, 73, was vacuuming at her northwest Detroit home when she heard that Biden had been declared the winner.
“All I could say is ‘thank God,’” he said, choking. “It has nothing to do with Democrats or Republicans. It has to do with decency. This country has integrity and hopefully we can get decency. I think Joe Biden can do it and return the kindness. “
