Uncounted ballots eventually dwindled nationwide last week, and Seattleites curbed their catastrophe planning that has become instinct since COVID-19 hit.
People carried on, protested, tried to avoid police or lunged out of quarantine to celebrate the end of President Donald Trump’s reign. After four days of election reports, on Saturday around 8:30 a.m. Pacific, news outlets started calling the election in favor of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
Real Change community members in Capitol Hill and the Central District said, right away, they heard shrieks of joy from neighboring apartments. Then all day, cars cruised around central Seattle, forming a mini parade on Pine Street along the epic Black Lives Matter painting, at least one blaring the hip hop song “Fuck Donald Trump.” Later, fireworks were heard; there was a fatal shooting late that night at 10th Avenue and Pike Street, according to the Capitol Hill Seattle Blog.
Our great Editorial Intern Samira George caught photos of revelers on Capitol Hill, while I found people gathering along the Columbia City thoroughfare.
Dione Lucero — pictured here alone with an amplifier kit — said she stands holding a sign and speaking into the mic all the time; this Saturday was no different to her. She doesn’t wait for planned events, election results or anyone else.
As I talked to the people gathered on the sidewalks of busy Rainier Avenue, people popped in and out with signs and things yell at the cars and pedestrians. They were showing up contemporaneously, independent of each other but like-minded, and a dance party formed in a block off Rainier. One person ran through the sporadic crowd handing out something; he yelled, “Who wants an ‘I voted’ sticker,” then, instead, handed out “Fuck Trump” stickers.
It was a COVID-Seattle version of the post-war, street celebrations etched on memories by photos like the sailor’s swooping kiss. This intense time, among much media and many disparate views, will make countless lasting impressions.
Read more of the Nov. 11-17, 2020 issue.