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Biden And Harris Supporters Celebrate In D.C.'s Black Lives Matter Plaza

People celebrate Saturday at Black Lives Matter Plaza across from the White House in Washington, D.C., after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election.
Tyrone Turner/WAMU
People celebrate Saturday at Black Lives Matter Plaza across from the White House in Washington, D.C., after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election.

Supporters of President-elect Joe Biden are flocking Saturday to the streets in Washington D.C., to celebrate the news of the Democrat surpassing 270 electoral votes, according to The Associated Press and other news organizations. A large crowd is gathering in Lafayette Square and Black Lives Matter Plaza, areas right next to the White House.

Kareem Primo of Washington, D.C. celebrates former Vice President Biden becoming president-elect and Sen. Kamala Harris becoming vice president-elect.
/ Tyrone Turner/WAMU
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Tyrone Turner/WAMU
Kareem Primo of Washington, D.C. celebrates former Vice President Biden becoming president-elect and Sen. Kamala Harris becoming vice president-elect.

These spots, now the scene of jubilance, were the same site of mass protests over the summer following the killings of several Black Americans by police officers. Some chanted, "Bye, bye, Trump."

People rejoicing in front of the White House.
/ Dee Dwyer/DCist
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Dee Dwyer/DCist
People rejoicing in front of the White House.
Wynter Smith, 5, Mikaela Smith, left, (Mom of Wynter), Sydney Smith (Black Shirt) stands on Black Lives Matter Plaza to celebrate the victory of Joe Biden.
/ Dee Dwyer/DCist
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Dee Dwyer/DCist
Wynter Smith, 5, Mikaela Smith, left, (Mom of Wynter), Sydney Smith (Black Shirt) stands on Black Lives Matter Plaza to celebrate the victory of Joe Biden.

On June 1, a number of protesters were tear-gassed by U.S. Park Police and National Guard troops in the area, clearing the way for President Trump to take pictures in front of St. John's Episcopal Church holding a Bible. The church is on the corner of Lafayette Square and the start of Black Lives Matter Plaza.

People celebrate Joe Biden becoming the 46th president of the United States on Black Lives Matter Plaza at 16th and H Streets.
/ Eman Mohammed for NPR
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Eman Mohammed for NPR
People celebrate Joe Biden becoming the 46th president of the United States on Black Lives Matter Plaza at 16th and H Streets.

As NPR member station WAMU's Dominique Maria Bonessi reported, emotions are high, with people cheering and holding up signs.

Supporters are also gathering in other cities, including Philadelphia and New York.

WAMU's Dominique Maria Bonessi contributed to this report. Follow her reporting here.

Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Elena Moore is a production assistant for the NPR Politics Podcast. She also fills in as a reporter for the NewsDesk. Moore previously worked as a production assistant for Morning Edition. During the 2020 presidential campaign, she worked for the Washington Desk as an editorial assistant, doing both research and reporting. Before coming to NPR, Moore worked at NBC News. She is a graduate of The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and is originally and proudly from Brooklyn, N.Y.

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