New York City erupted into cheers and celebrations in the streets after the election was officially called for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on Saturday morning.
“It's a collective relief and joy, I feel like everyone’s on the verge of tears," said Sigrid Wendel, a 30-year-old teacher who grabbed a wooden ladle and pot when she heard the news. She was down to 10th Street and Avenue A in Manhattan banging it with roughly 100 other cheering people. "It feels like the city's been holding its breath for the last week, maybe the last four years.”
“I feel like the Death Star just blew up!” added Paula Clark, a USPS employee.
For many people in New York City, this day was a long time coming. “We’ve been through so much. This is best news ever,” said Sheelin Wilson, a 60-year-old gilder on the Upper East Side. “It feels like the end of the war.”
"I'm excited, we needed a change, hopefully a better change. Biden is going to be way better than Trump," Panasea Avery said over the sound of cars honking their horns on the Lower East Side. "Joe Biden actually cares about the country, and he supports LGBTQ, so this is actually good," her 12-year-old son Robert said.
"I was sitting in a playground enjoying my breakfast when MSNBC and CNN called it for Biden, and everyone erupted and it feels like, where better to be than in the streets with the people," said Caroline Rothstein, a 37-year-old writer and performer who was sitting outside at 7th Avenue and Union in Park Slope when the news came in. "I'm lucky to live in a neighborhood that from what I can tell aligns with my values and politics, and I'm thrilled to gather with folks and share in this together."
"I feel grounded and grateful and ready to keep working," she added. "This is not the end for dismantling white supremacy and systemic oppression in this country, so I'm just hoping we can carry this energy of elation and joy and connectivity into serious, serious work we have ahead."
“It’s the beginning of a new era and Donald Trump is fired,” said Cora Fields, an electrician in the East Village. “Oh my god, we are all at ease. You can see we are all super excited.”
“It’s historical," added genealogist Diane Utech, who was in near tears watching the crowd cheer in the East Village. “I’m so glad people are happy today. That’s a rarity in New York.”
"I feel relief, I'm really glad. What happened happened, you can't correct it, all you can do is move forward," said Jackie, who was sitting in her wheelchair having lunch with her daughter in Fort Greene Park after the announcement was made.
"Since Trump has been here, I went from walking to in this wheelchair," she said. "By him not letting us know ahead of time, COVID hit my family, we lost three, and I'm the only one here to say I've survived it, and I'm still battling the infection. Now my asthma is chronic, I take three different asthma medications because of my breathing."
Sophia Chang, Christopher Robbins, and Annie Todd contributed to this report.
