Voters made history this weekend by electing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the nation’s next president and vice-president. In neighborhoods across Los Angeles, joyful voters held victory parties.
“Just everyone was super happy, dancing on the sidewalks.”
USC sophomore Sarah Cortina celebrated the Biden-Harris victory unexpectedly - In the Silverlake neighborhood of LA. She ran into the crowds while getting breakfast with a friend.
“There were people in the street... dancing, playing drums, and popping champagne just super happy it was super celebratory.”
For Sarah Cortina, the incoming Biden-Harris administration will be a great relief.
“I’m super happy that Trump is out of office because his administration has done so much damage that Biden and Kamala will have to undo.”
She celebrated with one friend and a few hundred like-minded strangers.
“People were sitting in their cars, and they would sit out the sun roof and hold signs that said oh, love wins, or pride flags, all these anti-Trump and pro-Biden things."
“As we were driving down Sunset, we noticed traffic was backed up by like miles on the road.”
USC Senior Joey Kiang stumbled upon a celebration in Los Feliz. He was stunned.
“Oh my god, yeah. I think it was just pure joy, honestly...We were dancing with everyone on the street, we were cheering with every car that had a sign on it, people were honking as they passed by.”
Joey says that although he celebrated, he was careful because of the risk of getting coronavirus.
“Pretty much everyone there was wearing masks, we certainly were and for the most part, while we were in the crowd, the crowd was trying to be as spaced out as possible. We definitely weren’t bumping shoulders with people or anything.”
In downtown Los Angeles, USC senior Joanna Yang went out on the street to celebrate after a friend texted her that the party was on.
“It was really fun...it was really positive vibes and good energy…It felt like I was there for history...Everyone there was wearing a mask. I don’t remember seeing anyone without a mask.”
To the many people celebrating, such as Joanna Yang, a Biden-Harris administration brings hope.
“It’s definitely very inspiring and it makes me feel like I can do anything in the world, too.”