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Fireworks, Rainbows and Pot-Banging: Here's How L.A. Is Reacting to a Biden-Harris Win

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The following article was originally published Nov. 7, 2020, and republished through a collaboration with LAist and KPCC.

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For up to the minute Election coverage, visit KPCC's LAist and KCET's Vote 2020 websites.

With contributions from Ryan Fonseca, Aaron Schrank, Josie Huang, Gina Pollack, Andy Cheatwood and Kyle Stokes

Well, after four long, painstaking days, the election callers have called the 2020 election.

A man waves a Biden flag from his car as people take to the streets in Los Angeles on Nov. 7, 2020 to celebrate Joe Biden and the Democratic Party's victory in the 2020 presidential election. | Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
A man waves a Biden flag from his car as people take to the streets in Los Angeles on Nov. 7, 2020 to celebrate Joe Biden and the Democratic Party's victory in the 2020 presidential election. | Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

This morning, the Associated PressNPRand other news outlets reported that Joe Biden has defeated Donald Trump and will become the 46th president of the United States.

Biden has won Pennsylvania, bringing his Electoral College votes past the 270 threshold needed to win the presidency.

In Los Angeles, the news was met with jubilation and relief, both in the streets and on social media.

In Echo Park, revelers filled the streets and sidewalks, celebrating the news with drinking and dancing.

Angelenos celebrate Joe Biden's electoral college win over President Donald Trump in Echo Park on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. | Gina Pollack/LAist
Angelenos celebrate Joe Biden's electoral college win over President Donald Trump in Echo Park on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. | Gina Pollack/LAist
Revelers in Echo Park celebrate Joe Biden's electoral college win over President Donald Trump on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. | Gina Pollack/LAist
Revelers in Echo Park celebrate Joe Biden's electoral college win over President Donald Trump on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. | Gina Pollack/LAist
Revelers in Echo Park celebrate Joe Biden's electoral college win over President Donald Trump on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. | Gina Pollack/LAist
Revelers in Echo Park celebrate Joe Biden's electoral college win over President Donald Trump on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. | Gina Pollack/LAist
A mural of Joe Biden quickly went up in Echo Park on Saturday, Nov. 7 after he was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election. | Gina Pollack/LAist
A mural of Joe Biden quickly went up in Echo Park on Saturday, Nov. 7 after he was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election. | Gina Pollack/LAist

In Silver Lake, Biden-Harris supporters waved American flags, danced to drummers and DJs, and doused themselves in champagne.

In Silver Lake, revelers celebrate the news that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been declared the next president and vice-president of the U.S. on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. | Kyle Stokes/LAist
In Silver Lake, revelers celebrate the news that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been declared the next president and vice-president of the U.S. on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. | Kyle Stokes/LAist
In Silver Lake, revelers celebrate the news that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been declared the next president and vice-president of the U.S. on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. | Kyle Stokes/LAist
In Silver Lake, revelers celebrate the news that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been declared the next president and vice-president of the U.S. on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. | Kyle Stokes/LAist
In Silver Lake, revelers celebrate the news that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been declared the next president and vice-president of the U.S. on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. | Kyle Stokes/LAist
In Silver Lake, revelers celebrate the news that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been declared the next president and vice-president of the U.S. on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. | Kyle Stokes/LAist

Theo Henderson is an unhoused Angeleno, and host of the podcast "We The Unhoused." He said he wants to see President-elect Joe Biden create programs for the homeless to help them get off the street.

"Now that he... is the president of the United States for all, housed and unhoused, he should be our advocate as well."

Hadley Rosenbaum and Emma Silvers bang on pans in celebration after former Vice President Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. | Aaron Schrank/LAist
Hadley Rosenbaum and Emma Silvers bang on pans in celebration after former Vice President Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. | Aaron Schrank/LAist

Pamela Hernandez said she's excited about the result of the presidential election.

"I feel like it's a big relief for a lot of people right now, especially minorities. And me, being Hispanic, it's just feels a little bit better, you know? I know there's still a lot of work to be done, but it's a small step forward, and that's all we needed right now."

In Los Feliz, a crowd filled a gas station parking lot with dancing, car-honking and an impromptu sing-along.

Barbara Wilson, a 72-year-old retired JPL scientist, was walking her dogs around her Altadena neighborhood while waving an American flag. Wilson said her vote was as much as for Biden as it was against Trump, saying the litany of offenses committed by the Trump administration was long. She was particularly excited that Kamala Harris would be the country's next vice-president.

"The country may be finally coming to grips with this racist past and actually do something about better equality in the country, and also she is just a such a strong woman, with super ideals and ethics."

Barbara Wilson walked with the American flag around her Altadena neighborhood after the race was called for Joe Biden. | Josie Huang/LAist
Barbara Wilson walked with the American flag around her Altadena neighborhood after the race was called for Joe Biden. | Josie Huang/LAist

In downtown L.A., thousands of people gathered at Pershing Square and started to march to City Hall.

Thousands gather in downtown Los Angeles to celebrate Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election. | Andy Cheatwood/LAist
Thousands gather in downtown Los Angeles to celebrate Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election. | Andy Cheatwood/LAist

Claudia Hawkins, who described herself as a "suburban housewife" from Santa Clarita, came out to the celebrations downtown with her two children. She said raising two Black children has been "extremely hard" over the past four years. Hawkins said the Biden-Harris victory is exciting and gives her a sense of hope.

“I’m hopeful that they’re there to listen… We need real leadership —leadership in the young people to take us forward and to see the change that we’ve been trying to make in our generation and it’s just so nice to see them rise up.”

Santa Clarita resident Claudia Hawkins, left, and her two children take part in celebrations in downtown Los Angeles after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election. | Aaron Schrank/LAist
Santa Clarita resident Claudia Hawkins, left, and her two children take part in celebrations in downtown Los Angeles after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election. | Aaron Schrank/LAist

L.A. police officers in riot gear were also on scene. Asked why, one LAPD detective told KPCC/LAist reporter Josie Huang "we’re trying to keep everybody safe."

Michael Espinoza (right) and his sister Amanda Leyva celebrate in downtown Los Angeles after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 election. | Josie Huang/LAist
Michael Espinoza (right) and his sister Amanda Leyva celebrate in downtown Los Angeles after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 election. | Josie Huang/LAist

A large crowd gathered outside L.A. City Hall, where speakers called on the electorate tokeep pressure on a future Biden administration when it comes to issues like immigration, labor and racial justice.

Outside Los Angeles City Hall, revelers cheers “We did it! The votes were counted!” after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. | Josie Huang/LAist
Outside Los Angeles City Hall, revelers cheers “We did it! The votes were counted!” after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. | Josie Huang/LAist

There's also an outpouring of congratulations for California Senator Kamala Harris, who is set to make history as the nation’s first woman vice president, along with the first Black and Asian American person to hold that office.

Meanwhile, here's what we know so far about our local and state races:

— LAIST STAFF

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