Hundreds in Denver celebrate election results; Trump supporters rally in Colorado Springs
On Saturday morning, Zara Otaifah said she was able to breath a sigh of relief.
Otaifah, an Aurora resident, immigrated to the United States from Iran in 2015, and since President Donald Trump was elected, she says, she has been living in fear.
“I’ve been living in insecurity, in fear and with anxiety for four years as the possibility of being deported any day was real,” she said. “Today is a day of celebration. For freedom, equality, dignity and respect.”
Otaifah was one of hundreds of people who flocked to downtown Denver Saturday to celebrate the victory of President-Elect Joe Biden.
People popped champagne bottles and drank wine while celebrating, some people cried while others danced on the steps of the State Capitol.
People celebrate the announcement that Joe Biden was elected as the next president of the United States according to multiple news sources Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 at Cheeseman Park in Denver. (Michael Ciaglo/Special to The Denver Gazette)
“Today just feels like a breath of fresh air,” said Denver Resident John Warner, who was dancing on the steps of the Capitol in a blue Speedo with stars on it. “The last time I was downtown was for the Black Live Matter Protests and this feeling is just the polar opposite, but that doesn’t mean those issues are going away, but today is a time to celebrate change.”
A man in a speedo dances as people celebrate the announcement that Joe Biden was elected as the next president of the United States according to multiple news sources Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 at Cheeseman Park in Denver. (Michael Ciaglo/Special to The Denver Gazette)
Amid the celebrations, around 40 Trump supporters stood their ground and insisted the election wasn’t over.
“I’m sick of the lies and deception, bro. I’m ready for patriotism to come back in America and not communism,” said Trevor Knoedler, a Denver resident.
Supporters of the president held signs that read “stop voter fraud,” “stop the steal,” and “count legal votes.”
The sentiment among Trump supporters that Joe Biden was declared the winner prematurely and that the president’s legal challenges would eventually prevail was echoed in Colorado Springs where about 350 people gathered outside City Hall waving Trump flags and signs claiming the election had been “stolen.”
The protest, while loud, was a peaceful one, despite many of the Trump supporters being armed with handguns and the presence of about 30 counterprotesters across the street, who mostly cheered, danced, and sang.
“We just want a fair election,” said one woman who was dressed head-to-toe in the American flag.
Jim Fenimore, with flag, helps direct traffic during a rally supporting President Trump in downtown Colorado Springs on Nov. 7, 2020. (Forrest Czarnecki/The Gazette)
France and Caroline Markey, 15-year-old twins who attended the celebration in Denver, said one of their biggest hopes for the country is to unite.
“We now have someone in the White House whose going to take leadership in this country and hopefully bring us back together,” said France Markey.
Both twins said they came to celebrate the day because “everyone’s future was at stake.”
“This election is one of the biggest in American history, and it’s going to decide what our world will look like when we’re adults,” Caroline Markey said.
And in the case of Otaifah, whose process of becoming a citizen has been pushed back two years because of COVID-19, she says her hope has been restored.
“We’re not going to see anymore bullying or speeches of colossal hatred anymore,” she said. “We’re going to see speeches that hopefully unite us as a country and don’t make people like myself live in fear.”
Gazette reporter O’Dell Isaac contributed to this report.
President-elect Joseph Biden supporters clash with Pro-Donald Trump supporters in downtown Colorado Springs Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, after Democratic candidate Biden was projected to win the presidency earlier in the day. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Kirk Sarell wears buttons on his jacket as people celebrate the announcement that Joe Biden was elected as the next president of the United States according to multiple news sources Saturday at Cheesman Park in Denver.
Dressed as an eagle, Taylor Soderborg dances as people celebrate the announcement that Joe Biden was elected as the next president of the United States according to multiple news sources Saturday at Cheeseman Park.
Beck the dog wears a “Voters decide” shirt as people celebrate the announcement that Joe Biden was elected as the next president of the United States according to multiple news sources Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 at Cheeseman Park in Denver. (Michael Ciaglo/Special to The Denver Gazette)
A couple walks past graffiti reading, “Vote him out” as people celebrate the announcement that Joe Biden was elected as the next president of the United States according to multiple news sources Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 at Cheeseman Park in Denver. (Michael Ciaglo/Special to The Denver Gazette)
Richard Buchanan, left, and Yves Murad wave Biden flags as people celebrate the announcement that Joe Biden was elected as the next president of the United States according to multiple news sources Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 at Cheeseman Park in Denver. (Michael Ciaglo/Special to The Denver Gazette)
A woman holds a, “Trump for prison 2020” sign as people celebrate the announcement that Joe Biden was elected as the next president of the United States according to multiple news sources Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 at Cheeseman Park in Denver. (Michael Ciaglo/Special to The Denver Gazette)
Dogs play with a Donald Trump toy as people celebrate the announcement that Joe Biden was elected as the next president of the United States according to multiple news sources Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 at Cheeseman Park in Denver. (Michael Ciaglo/Special to The Denver Gazette)
Rachel Shea holds a sign as people celebrate the announcement that Joe Biden was elected as the next president of the United States according to multiple news sources Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 at Cheeseman Park in Denver. (Michael Ciaglo/Special to The Denver Gazette)
Brent Walker picks up his boyfriend Ezra Comesario and kisses him during a celebration of the victory of Democratic candidate Joseph Biden at the intersection of Lincoln Street and 13th Avenue in downtown Denver, Colo., on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
John Warner sports an American flag speedo on the steps of the State Capitol building after Democratic candidate Joseph Biden victory is announced in downtown Denver, Colo., on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Tensions rise as a Trump supporters exchanges words with Biden supporters at the Colorado State Capitol building in downtown Denver, Colo., on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
The Toledo family celebrates the victory of Democratic candidate Joseph Biden at the intersection of Lincoln Street and 13th Avenue in downtown Denver, Colo., on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
People celebrate the victory of Democratic candidate Joseph Biden at the intersection of Lincoln Street and 13th Avenue in downtown Denver, Colo., on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Tensions rise as a Trump supporter, who declined to give his name, exchanges words with Biden supporters at the Colorado State Capitol building in downtown Denver, Colo., on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Michelle Lindsey of Colorado Springs, second from left, joins other supporters of President Donald Trump during a rally outside the Colorado Springs City Hall on Saturday.
