Joy Breaks Out In New Haven

There was joy in Goatville — the once-“mighty” Donald had struck out.

Neighbors danced in the streets, paraders banged pots and pans and drivers honked horns as spontaneous celebrations filled streets in that and other neighborhoods Saturday, sparked by the news that the days of Donald Trump’s presidency are numbered.

The celebrations broke out in neighborhoods across town after the vote in Pennsylvania — and thus the presidential election — was called for the Democratic ticket of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, who will become the first Black female and Asian-American vice-president.

Cynthia Rubin captured the Goatville excitement in the above video.

Chris Volpe had his camera with him as celebrants marched along Central Avenue and around surrounding streets, greeted by raised thumbs and horn blasts from passing drivers.

Downtown New Haven cartoonist Ted Littleford was quick with his reactions …

… as were local and statewide politicians, including Mayor Justin Elicker, State Rep. Robyn Porter, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, and U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal. They took to social media and sent out email press releases heralding the defeat of incumbent Donald Trump.

“President-Elect Joe Biden … 273,” Porter posted on Facebook, in reference to Biden’s Electoral College vote tally after the calling of Pennsylvania.

“Today the American people won,” wrote DeLauro. ​“Democracy won.”

“It is a new day for our country, and we move forward to meet both the struggles and triumphs ahead,” wrote Elicker.

“An exciting, new era lies ahead when America will have the leadership it needs and deserves, ending a dark, dangerous time for our nation,” wrote Blumenthal.

In their written statements, they also warned of Trump’s likely resistance to a peaceful transition of power, as evidenced in part by the flurry of lawsuits he and the Republican Party have filed in various swing states seeking to stop the counting of absentee ballots.

“No doubt, Donald Trump will not go away quietly,” wrote Murphy, ​“and now President-Elect Biden begins the unenviable balancing act of beginning a transition while simultaneously having to bat down frivolous legal and political challenges from President Trump. But the people have spoken, and now the peaceful handover of power must begin.”

Also Saturday morning, a group of Trump supporters held a rally and car caravan that started in the parking lot of the Ikea on Long Wharf. Click here to watch video coverage of that rally by The Raw Report.

Biden and Harris easily won New Haven’s vote, with partial results reported by the Secretary of the State’s election database showing over 84 percent of New Haven voters — or 35,521 — casting their ballots for the Democratic ticket. According to that database, just over 14 percent of New Haven voters — or 6,146 — cast their ballots for Trump and Mike Pence.

See below for various statements in full issues by local and state elected officials in response to Biden’s projected victory.

Mayor Justin Elicker

It has just been reported that Joe Biden will be the 46th President of the United States. I wish him well, and am eager to see where he will lead our nation. This election may feel a bit different than ones we’ve had before, and regardless of who you supported there are hard realities made clear by this race and the deep divisions still present in our country. We must face those, and recognize that this is a new day.

We move forward knowing that the work to make a better America starts with us: what we choose and what we believe in. At the same time, the hate and division still present in our country is a struggle we will have to reckon with. It is daunting, but here in New Haven I want every resident to know that we are in this together. We will face what lies ahead as the family of New Haven.

Let me be clear: Black Lives Matter. New Haven is and will continue to be a sanctuary for all people irrespective of their immigration status. Healthcare is a human right. Every person deserves dignity. Every person deserves access to safe, quality, and affordable housing. We must continue to do better to protect our most vulnerable and achieve the goal of equity and justice for all. I will strive to do better, and I ask that you all join me in working to make this a city one where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

It is a new day for our country, and we move forward to meet both the struggles and triumphs ahead. Thank you to the poll workers who worked tirelessly to count ballots. Thank you to the volunteers who held signs and knocked on doors and called their neighbors. Thank you to the candidates who put themselves forward to try and make our community better. And most of all thank you to all of those who voted. This election had some of the highest turnout in our nation’s history, and participating in our democracy renews the promise of it that the real power in our country is in the hands of the people.

Thank you, and I look forward to the work ahead.

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro

Today the American people won. Democracy won.

By showing up in record numbers to vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, Americans sent a clear message that they want leaders that will build a better tomorrow, foster unity, and fight for working families and our most vulnerable. Included in President-Elect Biden’s plans are critical pieces of legislation I have been tirelessly working to pass — the Child Tax Credit and equal pay for women among them — that finally see a clear path to becoming the law of the land.

We have our work cut out for us, and the road to recovery is long, but Biden and Harris have a plan to lead us to a brighter tomorrow. Together, Democrats will deliver on our promises and create a better future for all. Today, we celebrate this historic victory.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy

Joe Biden is a man for this time, and I am thrilled the American people have spoken, and by decisive margin chosen him as our next President. This is good news for democracy, our country, and Connecticut. No doubt, Donald Trump will not go away quietly, and now President-Elect Biden begins the unenviable balancing act of beginning a transition while simultaneously having to bat down frivolous legal and political challenges from President Trump. But the people have spoken, and now the peaceful handover of power must begin.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal

My warmest congratulations to my good friends, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and their absolutely extraordinary team, and a heartfelt thank you to all of the poll workers and election administrators who have worked so long and hard over these past days, weeks, and months to make our democracy work.

An exciting, new era lies ahead when America will have the leadership it needs and deserves, ending a dark, dangerous time for our nation. As was said when another such period ended: our long, national nightmare is over. The path ahead is both challenging and inspiring: we must conquer the pandemic, put America back to work, and fight to restore the rule of law and deeply shared values that make our nation great. We have far more in common than in conflict, but the wounds inflicted on our country over the last four years will take hard work to heal. I will continue to fight for Connecticut and our people’s healthcare, economic progress, and common values.

State Attorney General William Tong

This election was fair, legal, transparent, and accurate. Voters decided this outcome. Not the candidates. Not the courts. This is the genius of our Republic, and the beauty of our nation. We must now begin the peaceful transfer of power, as we have for more than 240 years. And we must reject all efforts now to sow chaos and confusion, and to undermine faith in our democratic process. I am proud of our people — Americans — who have elected the first woman, the first African American, the first Asian Pacific American, Vice President in the history of our great nation. And a former state attorney general too!