Biden Declared Winner: Angelenos Hit The Streets To Celebrate

LOS ANGELES CA — As Joe Biden was declared the winner of the presidential election Saturday morning by the Associated Press, supporters immediately began honking horns, banging pots and pans and pouring out into the streets of Los Angeles. Democratic political leaders and residents alike celebrated the victory across the Southland Saturday morning.

Despite blustery and cold weather, Angelenos both in support and against president Donald Trump hit the streets in the city as early as 8 a.m.

By 11 a.m. a large crowd had already gathered in Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles to celebrate Biden and California Sen. Kamala Harris' victory. Hundreds were also seen flooding downtown streets holding banners, combining many organized marches that were planned for Saturday into one giant celebration.

Several people were seen holding "you're fired" signs, a nod to Trump's old catchphrase on reality TV show "The Apprentice."

By 2 p. m. a truck caravan of Trump supporters was seen parading through Beverly Hills, where some had just begun arriving for a 3 p.m. pro-Trump demonstration.

Another Trump truck rally was planned to run through Malibu around 2 p.m.

LA Mayor Eric Garcetti chimed in on the celebration, writing, "It's time for America to unite and heal — and @JoeBiden will bring us together and move us forward. I'm so excited for this country and for what's to come. Thank you, Mr. President-Elect."

He also congratulated Harris, who hails from Oakland. She is the first Black woman to be elected Vice President of the United States.

"You've made history, @KamalaHarris. Today is a bright day for America and for our future — especially for the millions of women and girls across this country who see themselves in you. Thank you and congratulations, Madam Vice President-Elect!"

Members of the "Stop The Steal" movement planned to protest in Beverly Hills at 3 p.m. in Beverly Gardens Park, a location that's become a recent melting pot for Republicans and Trump supporters in a left-leaning county.

The same protest was also planned in Sacramento to begin at noon at the State Capitol.

Refuse Fascism, was planning an anti-Trump demonstration at 11 a.m. in Pershing Square.

"It is critical that the people not let up their struggle now," the organization wrote in a statement. "Trump is filing lawsuits to overturn the results up to the Supreme Court."

SEE ALSO: Joe Biden Projected Winner Over Donald Trump In Presidential Race

More labor unions and advocacy groups — possibly including thousands of participants — planned to hold protests in downtown Los Angeles Saturday against what they call President Donald Trump's premature election victory declaration.

Organizers said Trump has claimed the election is being "stolen" from him. The protest will decry any attempt to "undermine the will of the people" while also demanding a peaceful transition of power.

Protestors planned to gather at Pershing Square at 9 a.m. at South Figueroa Street at Martin Luther King Boulevard; at Mariachi Plaza, at Boyle and First streets; and at MacArthur Park, at 2230 W. Sixth St.

From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., the marches were planned to make their way to Pershing Square to create a "mass march" at 11:30 a.m., then march to a rally scheduled for noon at City Hall.

Organizers said participants are required to remain nonviolent and all attendees must wear a mask, and follow local COVID-19 public health orders and social distancing guidelines.

According to an event post on Facebook, more than 1,000 people said they would be attending the event.

"[We will] lead a mass action with basic principles that should have long been our standard for all economic and social policy: we care for ourselves, we care for others and everyone counts. It is time ... to stand united, not only to defend but strengthen our democracy by advancing justice and inclusion," the coalition members said.

The coalition includes organizations and groups such as Black Lives Matter-LA, the California Faculty Association, CHIRLA, Community Coalition, Democratic Socialists of America-LA, Refuse Fascism, Extinction Rebellion, Ground Game LA and a number of other groups and labor unions.

Police agencies across the Southland were gearing up for any possible civil unrest the weekend might bring.

"We don’t know what this weekend has in store for us (apart from some rain), or what the next weeks & months will look like," The Los Angeles Police Department tweeted Friday night. "What we do know, is that LAPD officers will be out there every single day, doing their absolute best, to keep Angelenos as safe as possible. Goodnight L.A."

Los Angeles Police Officer Drake Madison told City News Service that officers will take the same action they always do during protests, which is to "hope for the best, but plan for the worst."

"Most importantly, we're there to [let people] express their First Amendment rights, and hopefully L.A. residents will protest peacefully," Madison said.

On Thursday, the LAPD posted a picture on social media of a hammer and a crowbar that were recovered during recent protests.

"We'd expect to find these items on a construction site, or in a garage, not on the streets of Los Angeles following protest activities," LAPD stated on Twitter. "We will always strive to facilitate peaceful protests, but that means those participating must leave metal crowbars and hammers at home."

Biden was projected to be the winner of the presidential election by news media outlets at around 8:30 a.m. after reports surfaced that he would win Pennsylvania's 20 electoral votes, putting him over the 270 votes needed to win the presidency.

Biden issued a statement shortly after the projected win was declared.

"I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris. In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America," he said.

"With the campaign over, it's time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation. It's time for America to unite. And to heal. We are the United States of America. And there's nothing we can't do, if we do it together."

Biden was also scheduled to address the nation at 5 p.m. PST from Wilmington, Delaware, where he was expected to be joined by his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris.

Harris also celebrated the announcement, tweeting: "This election is about so much more than @JoeBiden or me. It's about the soul of America and our willingness to fight for it. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Let's get started."

She also tweeted a video moments later showing her on phone call with Biden, saying through laughter, "We did it, we did it, Joe. You're going to be the next president of the United States."

Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez congratulated Biden and his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, on their reported victory.

"The people have spoken. Congratulations to President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris," Martinez said. "With new leadership, comes hope and possibility of real change. We owe this victory to our Black and Latino brothers and sisters -- our friends, our family and our community — those who showed up to vote, and those most affected by this pandemic who continue to build this country, despite the lack of social and economic opportunity, those who have everything to lose — they delivered us to the finish line."

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia also joined in to celebrate the projected victory.

"We just elected the first woman to Vice-President of the United State," Garcia tweeted "And she’s Black and Asian-American. And her name is Kamala Devi Harris."

An hour earlier, Trump issued an all-caps tweet that said, "I WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT!"

Trump on Wednesday said he was being cheated out of an electoral victory.

"This is a fraud on the American public," Trump announced during a media briefing from the White House. "This is an embarrassment to our country. We were getting ready to win this election. Frankly, we did win this election."

The City News Service and Patch Staffer Kat Schuster contributed to this report.

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This article originally appeared on the Los Angeles Patch