Biden Declared Winner: Angelenos Hit The Streets To Celebrate

LOS ANGELES CA — As Joe Biden was declared the winner of the presidential election Saturday morning by the Associated Press, supporters immediately began honking horns, banging pots and pans and pouring out into the streets of Los Angeles. Democratic political leaders and residents alike celebrated the victory across the Southland Saturday morning.

Despite blustery and cold weather, Angelenos both in support and against president Donald Trump hit the streets in the city as early as 8 a.m. By the late afternoon thousands had gathered in Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles.

The gathering, which began as multiple planned protests against Trump, turned into one giant 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 270 needed to win the presidency

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.

Refuse Fascism, was among organization who planned an anti-Trump demonstration Saturday to meet in Pershing Square.

"It is critical that the people not let up their struggle now," the organization wrote in a statement Saturday morning. "Trump is filing lawsuits to overturn the results up to the Supreme Court."

And 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.

Several people were seen holding "you're fired" signs, a nod to Trump's old catchphrase on reality TV show "The Apprentice."

The celebration continues in Los Angeles, CA. @RianaTweetsNow #BidenHarris2020 pic.twitter.com/gsWmgVy9pC
— Danny Peña (@godfree) November 7, 2020

But not everyone was celebrating, as hundreds had gathered in Beverly Hills to protest the win, which many argued was the result of fraud. Beverly Gardens Park, which has become a surprising outpost for Republicans and Trump supporters, gathered protesters flying American and MAGA flags.

Hundreds of Trump supporters reconvening in Beverly Hills, constant blare of car horns pic.twitter.com/o92EwlTmWK
— Samuel Braslow (@SamBraslow) November 7, 2020

Around 2 p. m. a truck caravan of Trump supporters was seen parading through Beverly Hills, where some had just begun arriving the planned #StopTheSteal, pro-Trump demonstration.

Another Trump truck rally was planned to run through Malibu around 2 p.m.

Crowd of Trump supporters in Beverly Hills is growing. Signs like “Ballot Lives Matter” and “Stop the Steal.” Trump caravans from across LA scheduled to arrive here soon. pic.twitter.com/icGKGg9RaN
— Samuel Braslow (@SamBraslow) November 7, 2020

LA Mayor Eric Garcetti chimed in on the celebration, writing, "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."

He also congratulated Harris, who hails from Oakland. She is the first Black woman to be elected Vice President of the United States.

"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!"

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

Major celebration in #WeHo as voters take to the streets in support of #BidenHarris2020 .
Santa Monica Blvd shut down by revelers. pic.twitter.com/iF9FIRWSbE
— Leanne Suter (@abc7leanne) November 8, 2020

The March has arrived at Pershing Square, they met up and combined with many other marches!! #blacklivesmatter #election2020 pic.twitter.com/VY6mYb6tsx
— Vishal P Singh (@VPS_Reports) November 7, 2020

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

More labor unions and advocacy groups planned to hold protests in downtown Los Angeles earlier Saturday against Trump.

Organizers said Trump has claimed the election is being "stolen" from him. The protest will decry any attempt to "undermine the will of the people" while also demanding a peaceful transition of power.

Protestors planned to gather at Pershing Square at 9 a.m. at South Figueroa Street at Martin Luther King Boulevard; at Mariachi Plaza, at Boyle and First streets; and at MacArthur Park, at 2230 W. Sixth St.

From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., the marches were planned to make their way to Pershing Square to create a "mass march" at 11:30 a.m., then march to a rally scheduled for noon at City Hall.

"[We will] lead a mass action with basic principles that should have long been our standard for all economic and social policy: we care for ourselves, we care for others and everyone counts. It is time ... to stand united, not only to defend but strengthen our democracy by advancing justice and inclusion," the coalition members said.

The coalition includes organizations and groups such as Black Lives Matter-LA, the California Faculty Association, CHIRLA, Community Coalition, Democratic Socialists of America-LA, Refuse Fascism, Extinction Rebellion, Ground Game LA and a number of other groups and labor unions.

Police agencies across the Southland were gearing up for any possible civil unrest the weekend might bring.

"We don’t know what this weekend has in store for us (apart from some rain), or what the next weeks & months will look like," The Los Angeles Police Department tweeted Friday night. "What we do know, is that LAPD officers will be out there every single day, doing their absolute best, to keep Angelenos as safe as possible. Goodnight L.A."

Los Angeles Police Officer Drake Madison told City News Service that officers will take the same action they always do during protests, which is to "hope for the best, but plan for the worst."

"Most importantly, we're there to [let people] express their First Amendment rights, and hopefully L.A. residents will protest peacefully," Madison said.

On Thursday, the LAPD posted a picture on social media of a hammer and a crowbar that were recovered during recent protests.

"We'd expect to find these items on a construction site, or in a garage, not on the streets of Los Angeles following protest activities," LAPD stated on Twitter. "We will always strive to facilitate peaceful protests, but that means those participating must leave metal crowbars and hammers at home."

Biden was projected to be the winner of the presidential election by news media outlets at around 8:30 a.m. after reports surfaced that he would win Pennsylvania's 20 electoral votes, putting him over the 270 votes needed to win the presidency.

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."

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."

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

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!"

Later in the afternoon Saturday Trump tweeted: "THE OBSERVERS WERE NOT ALLOWED INTO THE COUNTING ROOMS. 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!"

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

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