Californians React To Biden And Harris Victory

CALIFORNIA — An eruption of dance parties, horn honking and cheers resounded up and down the Golden State Saturday as news outlets reported that Joe Biden had defeated Donald Trump Saturday. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who hails from Oakland, became the first Black woman and first Asian American to win the post — a historic feat for California.

Californians on both sides of the political divide planned to defend their candidates Saturday, with those celebrating Biden's victory already pouring into the streets around the state around 9 a.m., and those supporting Trump gearing up to hold a protest in Beverly Hills at 3 p.m. and a car caravan through Malibu around 2 p.m.

"Together, @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris will turn hurt into healing and deep-seated divisions into common ground, repair our standing around the world and rally our nation together in this time of unprecedented crisis," Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote in a tweet.

Newsom, who will get to pick Harris's successor in the U.S. Senate, took to Twitter early Saturday to congratulate the two projected winners just shortly after the Associated Press called the race around 8:30 a.m.

Political leaders from San Diego to the Bay Area were offering congratulatory sentiments to Biden and Harris on the historic victory for California.

SEE ALSO: Joe Biden Projected Winner Over Donald Trump In Presidential Race

And despite a wet and blustery morning in the Southland, thousands of Angelenos ditched their morning routines to pour into the streets in an apparent celebration of the victory.

A wall of riot-clad Los Angeles police officers lined Spring Street outside the LAPD headquarters and the former Los Angeles Times building as mobs of happy demonstrators waving American, Mexican and Armenian flags marched past and began to congregate around the new federal courts building on First Street.

Cars, flying American flags and blaring their horns, drove around the demonstrators.

Despite a very lively day in downtown LA, no arrests were made as of the late afternoon, and there were no reports of injuries, LAPD Officer Tony Im said.

The downtown gathering — which began as a planned protest against Trump — turned into a victory celebration after multiple media outlets reported that Biden would win Pennsylvania's 20 electoral votes, putting the Democratic ticket of Biden and California Sen. Kamala Harris over the 2-hundred- 70 needed to win the presidency

Meanwhile, another Trump truck caravan was seen driving through Beverly Hills around 2 p.m.

Trump train in Beverly Hills pic.twitter.com/Uw7YoCtwtQ
— David Rosenfeld (@RosenfeldReport) November 7, 2020

"100 years after women won their right to vote, a Black woman has been elected Vice President of the United States," LA County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl said in a statement. "This is a proud day for our nation. Now the real work begins."

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti congratulated Biden and Harris early Saturday.

"It's time for America to unite and heal — and @JoeBiden will bring us together and move us forward. I'm so excited for this country and for what's to come. Thank you, Mr. President-Elect."

Oakland’s own makes history. pic.twitter.com/PCFH14iaTx
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 7, 2020

He also gave praise to the Golden State's vice president elect.

"You've made history @KamalaHarris. Today is a bright day for America and for our future — especially for the millions of women and girls across this country who see themselves in you. Thank you and congratulations, Madam Vice President-Elect!"

Further north, San Franciscans and Oakland residents also filed into the streets to celebrate the victory. A costume dance party was underway early Saturday morning in the Casto District of San Francisco, while others shouted held signs of support in front of Oakland's Grand Lake Theater, a hotspot for political demonstrations.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of San Francisco's Castro District following the results of the 2020 election https://t.co/QoS2oQRWYZ
— KTVU (@KTVU) November 7, 2020

"I'm feeling very good," said Molly Glocker, one of the people who gathered outside Grand Lake Theater. "This means a better future for my two daughters."

Cheryl Davis of Piedmont said she came to the theater to celebrate, and with a sense of relief.

By noon, thousands had arrived to the Castro District, waving streamers and cheering.

Mayors of San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland celebrated the projected win as well to congratulate Biden and honor Sen. Harris for her historic win as an East Bay native.

"Today, America said yes: Yes to decency and compassion. Yes to new leadership that elevates our values of diversity and inclusion," said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. "Yes to a Black, Indian-American woman from Oakland, California."

"Oakland's own makes history," the Golden State Warriors also tweeted Saturday morning.

My dear friend, and now Madame Vice President-elect, congratulations.

California is so, so proud today. pic.twitter.com/EtilFvOM8w
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) November 7, 2020

Biden issued a statement shortly after the projected win was declared.

"I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris. In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America," he said.

"With the campaign over, it's time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation. It's time for America to unite. And to heal. We are the United States of America. And there's nothing we can't do, if we do it together."

SEE ALSO: Venice Beach Reacts To Projected Biden Win With Dance Party

Biden was also scheduled to address the nation at 5 p.m. PST from Wilmington, Delaware, where he was expected to be joined by his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris.

Harris also celebrated the announcement, tweeting: "This election is about so much more than @JoeBiden or me. It's about the soul of America and our willingness to fight for it. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Let's get started."

She also tweeted a video moments later showing her on phone call with Biden, saying through laughter, "We did it, we did it, Joe. You're going to be the next president of the United States."

Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez congratulated Biden and his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, on their reported victory.

"The people have spoken. Congratulations to President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris," Martinez said. "With new leadership, comes hope and possibility of real change. We owe this victory to our Black and Latino brothers and sisters — our friends, our family and our community — those who showed up to vote, and those most affected by this pandemic who continue to build this country, despite the lack of social and economic opportunity, those who have everything to lose — they delivered us to the finish line."

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia also joined in to celebrate the projected victory.

"We just elected the first woman to Vice-President of the United State," Garcia tweeted "And she's Black and Asian-American. And her name is Kamala Devi Harris."

An hour earlier, Trump issued an all-caps tweet that said, "I WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT!"

Trump tweeted again around 2 p.m. still alleging that election fraud had been committed to block him from re-election.

"THE OBSERVERS WERE NOT ALLOWED INTO THE COUNTING ROOMS," he wrote. "I WON THE ELECTION, GOT 71,000,000 LEGAL VOTES. BAD THINGS HAPPENED WHICH OUR OBSERVERS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SEE. NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. MILLIONS OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS WERE SENT TO PEOPLE WHO NEVER ASKED FOR THEM!"

We did it, @JoeBiden. pic.twitter.com/oCgeylsjB4
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) November 7, 2020

Sound the horn.
— SFBART (@SFBART) November 7, 2020

*This is a breaking news story, refresh the page for updates.

The City News Service, Bay Area News and Patch Staffer Kat Schuster contributed to this report.

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