Tears Of Joy As LI Democrats React To Biden's Projected Win

LONG ISLAND, NY — Democrats on Long Island cried with joy as news broke Saturday that Joe Biden will become the 46th U.S. president: Unofficial election results in Pennsylvania, with 20 electoral votes, put him over the 270 electoral votes required to win the presidency, The Associated Press and other news organizations have projected.

But supporters of President Donald Trump resolved to rally for justice after an election they say was less than fair.

Southold Town Democratic Committee Chair Kathryn Casey Quigley spoke out: "It has been a long four years, but the American people have made clear that they are better than Donald Trump, his hateful rhetoric, and divisive policies. President-elect Joe Biden will restore honor and integrity to the White House and this nation. And, as a mother of a young daughter, it is tremendously powerful that she will get to see the first woman- and a woman of color- Vice President of the United States."

Many took to social media to share their jubilation: "We did it. We did it," one woman wrote.

Other said they were shaking with happiness.

Southampton Town Democratic Committee Chair Gordon Herr, when asked how he was feeling Saturday morning, responded with a single word: "Crying."

Kate Mueth, of East Hampton, voiced a similar sentiment, and said she was "crying with relief and joy and exhaustion — and an eye to the future for a country where we are creating, building, and problem-solving for a better humanity."

Celebrations erupted in New York City the moment Biden was projected to win the presidency.

Now President-elect Biden said in a statement he is "honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed" in a ticket that gives America its first woman vice president, 56-year-old Sen. Kamala Harris of California.

Her election is also historically significant as the first Black woman, and the first person of Indian descent, on a major party's presidential ticket.

"In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America," said Biden, who at 77 succeeded in his fourth campaign for the White House. "With the campaign over, it's time to put anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation.

Lisa Votino, of Southampton, spoke as an organizer that works on civil rights and human rights issues. "It has been a very long four years. Today I am going to celebrate and take a deep breath. But I am keenly aware that this was a very close election and we have a lot of work to do on many different fronts. President-elect Biden in the White House, while I believe is the best choice, won't automatically make Black lives matter or stop the Supreme Court from handing down decisions that adversely affects targeted communities. But tonight my daughter gets to go to bed seeing not only our first female vice president, but also our first female of color vice president. I put that in the win column."

Others found themselves resolved to keep advocating for Trump.

Shawn Farash, of West Babylon, who has organized a number of "MAGA-Gras" caravans across Long Island, including one that drew thousands to Montauk and another to the North Fork, in support of Trump, vowed to continue his mission.

To that end, he has organized a new rally for Sunday, "MAGA-Gras VII: Stop the Steal," that will head from the AMC movie theater in East Northport at 10 a.m. and ride to the Dennison Building in Hauppauge.

"Today's projection comes when there is insufficient data available with regards to the legitimacy of the ballots found, counted, and processed," he said. "Bipartisan meaningful access to tabulation was denied in several key states in violation of election laws and court orders. The election results have not been certified and legal challenges have not been resolved, so all we have here is a coordinated effort to influence if not completely steal a U.S. presidential election. Our rally tomorrow is being done to expose these practices and fight for the preservation of free and fair elections."

Leon Goodman, of Bay Shore, who recently walked from New York City to Montauk to raise awareness about police brutality, took a symbolic stand against those who organized rallies in support of Trump after hearing Saturday's news.

"In a repudiation of the recent Trump parades, I just went through my neighborhood with my horn blasting!" Goodman said. "It felt especially amazing to drive down the street with all the Trump signs, just gloating and blasting my horn! Given that I witnessed the Sunrise Highway Trump parade firsthand and saw the signs and flags, this is my immediate thought: 'Hey, Trumpites, 'F--- your feelings' now!" Goodman said he saw a sign with the words "'Trump 2020: F--- Your Feelings'" on a car in the caravan.

Others said Saturday's news was deeply personal: "I'm so happy and relieved that I don't have to worry so much about my marriage being revoked," said Jim Shaw of Greenport.