Biden Celebration Planned For Southampton Sunday

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Overjoyed supporters of Democrat Joe Biden will gather in the Hamptons Sunday to celebrate the news that he is projected to become the 46th U.S. president.

The "Boogie for Biden — Impromptu Dance Party To Celebrate Our Win!" is hosted by Lisa Votino and will be held at Agawam Park in Southampton from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

"We're so happy that we can't contain it, so come join us for an impromptu, socially-distanced, masked-up, family friendly dance party at Agawam Park!" the Facebook announcement for the event said. "Ya'll, it's been a long four years for a lot of us. This doesn't mean we stop protesting and fighting for what's right, but let's take a little time to celebrate that we don't have to live in a perpetual state of anxiety for the next four years."

Democrats on Long Island cried with joy Saturday after unofficial election results in Pennsylvania, with 20 electoral votes, put Biden over the 270 electoral votes required to win the presidency, The Associated Press and other news organizations have projected.

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."

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.

Supporters of President Donald Trump, however, resolved to rally for justice after an election they say was less than fair.

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, organizing a new rally for Sunday. "MAGA-Gras VII: Stop the Steal," 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."