Issue 6 (SPECIAL EDITION) by Santa Monica College

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FRONT COVER A Biden supporter holds a flag in front of Los Angeles City Hall, on Sat., Nov. 7, 2020 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Yasamin Jafari Tehrani / The Corsair)

(Todd Wilkinson/ The Corsair)

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Vice President Mike Pence has cast more tie-breaking votes in the United States Senate than any other VP since 1873. Among his crucial ‘yeas’ was the decision to approve the nomination of Betsy DeVos as the US Secretary of Education. DeVos’ nomination was clouded in controversy, largely thanks to her inexperience. DeVos has no background in education, and has repeatedly acted as an advocate for charter schools. Neither she nor any of her kids have attended a public high school or university. Furthermore, DeVos has publicly motioned in favor of guns in schools and has donated to a number of anti-LGBTQ+ organizations. A 50-50 tie in the Senate on February 7, 2017 meant Vice President Pence would cast his first of 13 tie-breakers to date. She was approved that same day. Joe Biden’s Vice Presidency was largely ceremonious ––he cast zero votes in the Senate while occupying the White House. He acted as the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, among other small legislative groups. Overall, he acted more as President Obama’s confidant than a political force. The same cannot be said of Mike Pence. Pence has acted as the ranking member of the White House Coronavirus task force, which has overseen the infection of 10 million and the death of more than 240,000 Americans. He has broken senate ties on a number of judicial appointments, who will act as conservative strongholds in their respective seats for life. His actions will impact sexual equality and LGBTQ+ rights for decades to come. Pence’s stifling Vice Presidency is now to be followed by one of the few political figures capable of reversing the human rights catastrophe before her. The selection of Kamala Harris is historic for a number of reasons. She is the first elected woman to occupy the White House. For centuries to come, she will be looked at and admired as one of the trailblazers for women in the modern political arena. As a child of two immigrants, one from India and another from Jamaica, she has come to symbolize the endless possibilities of this nation. Her success is a display of progress, amidst four years of darkness. Beyond the unprecedented nature of her success, though, is a certain relief. The last four years have left me holding my breath, but now we have an answer that has reignited my faith in this country. In a 2004 speech long before his candidacy for President, Barack Obama noted “I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story, that I owe a debt to all of those who came before me, and that, in no other country on earth, is my story even possible.” He paid testament to the audacity of hope. Kamala Harris represents a beacon for young women around the globe. Similar to President Obama for Blacks, young girls can now see a strong woman holding one of the world's most powerful offices and know that with hard work, they too can achieve the highest of honors. She is the first hint of a generation uncompromising and unwavering in their pursuit of equality. Around the world, there are little girls resting their heads on pillows dreaming of endless possibilities thanks to the decision of this country. The brightest of lights comes from the darkest of rooms. Biden’s success, although important, stands in the shadow of what Kamala’s triumph will mean to the world.

Editor-In-Chief Jack Hughes

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The Political Past of Joseph R. Biden Jr. Gabrielle Faulkner | Staff Writer

oe Biden is no stranger to the White House. He spent eight years as vice president during the Obama administration, from 2009 to 2017. Come January 20, 2021, Biden will be inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States. While this is the first time he has won a presidential election, Biden has run twice before. His other two attempts at the presidency were in 1977 and 2008, the latter in which he was then selected as the vice presidential candidate for then Democratic Nominee Barack Obama. Biden’s career in government spans back to 1973, when he became a senator for Delaware. He was sworn into the senate two weeks after his wife, Neilia Hunter, and daughter, Naomi Biden, had passed away in a car crash. The swearing in ceremony took place in the Hospital Chapel in Delaware as his sons Beau and Hunter were recovering from the accident. Throughout his time in senate, Biden was given the nickname “Amtrak Joe”, as he commuted everyday from his home in Delaware to his office in Washington via train, in order to be there for his sons. He was re-elected six times, and only resigned in 2009 in order to take on his vice presidential role. One of the first defining issues of Biden’s career was busing. In 1954, Brown v. the Board of Education passed, a court ruling that decided “separate” education is “not equal.” However, ten years after this was decided, few schools had made changes to promote equality. Slowly, legislation was passed to “bus” students into different school districts to create a more even playing field. After previously running on a pro-bussing platform, Biden began to support anti-bussing legislature and went as far as proposing an unconstitutional piece of legislation that wouldn’t let federal judges bus students unless they could ‘prove discrimination was occurring.’ Before Kamala Harris became Biden’s vice president, she ran against him in the presidential primaries. During a debate, she brought up that “there was a little girl in California who was a part of the second class to integrate her public schools and she was bused to school every day. And that little girl was me.” While Joe Biden responded to say that he never opposed busing overall — just busing enforced by the Department of Education — the New York Times cited several reasons to prove that this is categorically untrue. During his 36 years as Senator, Biden supported many policies consid-

ered to be controversial by Democrats. Biden supported an amendment to the Constitution in 1981 that would enable states to overturn Roe v. Wade, telling reporters with The Washingtonian that “Roe v. Wade went too far” in 1974. Similarly, up until last year, Biden stood behind the Hyde Amendment, which famously restricted access to abortion by stripping federal funding for abortion. After receiving criticism from his Democratic rivals during the 2019 primaries, he changed his stance on the Amendment — but clarified, at a Democratic

issues. When he was the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1991, Biden presided over the hearings between Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas. Clarence Thomas, former President George Bush’s nominee to the Supreme Court, was accused by Anita Hill of sexual assault. Biden led an allwhite, all-male Judiciary Committee in grilling Hill about her experience, at the end of which Biden refused to hear corroborating stories from other witnesses and survivors. Biden himself has

2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden, speaks during an event on Thurs., Nov. 14, 2019 at Los Angeles Trade–Technical College, in Los Angeles, Calif. (Yasamin Jafari Tehrani / The Corsair)

gala in July 2019, that he had "no apologies" for his previous stance. "If I believe healthcare is a right, as I do, I can no longer support an amendment that makes that right dependent on someone's ZIP code," Biden said. Biden frequently pushed for more assertive action and funding to expand police and prison systems during the 90s. He worked with former South Carolina senator and segregationist Strom Thurmond to create legislation that increased penalties for drugs, eradicated parole at the federal level, and aimed to limit access to bail. Ronald Reagan, who was president at the time, refused to sign off on the legislation. Biden has recognized flaws with the original drafting of the bill and has proposed policies that address these consequences, but reformists are unsure how far he will go to amend these

been accused of sexual assault by eight women. These accusations include inappropriate language, inappropriate touching, and forced contact. Throughout his time in the Obama Administration, Biden did his part in helping pass the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, which guarantees an inexpensive form of health coverage for Americans. In 2017, Obama awarded Biden the Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor. “I just wanted to get some folks together to pay tribute to somebody who’s not only been by my side for the duration of this amazing journey. But somebody who has devoted his entire professional life to service to this country. The best vice president America’s ever had, Mr. Joe Biden,” said Obama. Biden announced his run for President on April 25, 2019. He was officially

named the Democratic Nominee in August 2020 and selected Kamala Harris as his running mate. On the morning of Nov. 7 it was announced that Biden and Harris had been elected by the American People. Though former President Donald Trump has yet to agree to a peaceful transfer of power, Biden has already begun putting some of his presidential plans into action. On Monday, Nov. 9, he announced his official coronavirus task force made up of physicians and health experts. This highly differs from the current president’s downplaying of the pandemic, which contributed to the deaths of over 239,000 Americans — and counting. “Dealing with the coronavirus pandemic is one of the most important battles our administration will face, and I will be informed by science and by experts,” Biden said in a public statement. “The advisory board will help shape my approach to managing the surge in reported infections; ensuring vaccines are safe, effective, and distributed efficiently, equitably, and free; and protecting at-risk populations.” Biden will be faced with innumerable challenges, following four years of an administration that attempted to erase much of the work done during his run as vice president. He will also take office as the pandemic still rages and racial inequities still exist — as they have since the founding of the United States. Biden has pitched a wide variety of initiatives, including restoring environmental protections and healthcare rights, mending international alliances, and raising the minimum wage. And although Biden took on a “tough-oncrime” stance for the majority of his Senate terms, he now advocates for grand-scale criminal justice reform. Overall, Democratic voters and those more left-leaning have hope in Biden’s abilities to listen and respond to calls about racial injustice and other issues largely ignored by Trump. Joe Biden won the White House with a more progressive agenda than most major party presidential candidates over the course of history. While half of the country rejoices at the end of Donald Trump’s presidency, a brief glance into Biden’s background leaves some Americans skeptical of his capabilities as a leader and decision-maker. Though he is a Democratic party member, his voting record aligns him with more moderate Republican beliefs, especially when it comes to issues on equality and war.

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The VP-Elect: A Woman of Firsts Jackie Sedley | News Editor

amala Harris, Joe Biden’s running mate and former California Senator, has made history as the first Black, first South Asian-American, and first female elected as vice president. Harris is the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants. She also attended Howard University, a historically Black college in Washington, D.C., during a time of activism and Black pride on campus. Harris and Biden came together on the evening of their projected win in Wilmington, Delaware, to give individual victory speeches. Harris' words highlighted the significance of a woman — and a woman of color, at that — finally being elected into a position of power in the White House. “When [my mother] came here from India at the age of 19, she maybe didn’t quite imagine this moment. But she believed so deeply in an America where a moment like this is possible,” Harris said. “And so, I’m thinking about her and about the generations of women — Black women, Asian, White, Latina, Native American women who throughout our nation’s history have paved the way for this moment tonight. Women who fought and sacrificed so much for equality, liberty and justice for all, including the Black women, who are often, too often overlooked, but so often prove that they are the backbone of our democracy.” The 56-year-old Democrat is a woman of firsts, even before becoming vice president-elect. She was the first female District Attorney of San Francisco (2004-2011), the first female Attorney General of California (2011-2017), and the first Indian American in the U.S. Senate (2017-2020). Harris’s election imposes several cracks into what former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton called the “highest and hardest glass ceiling,” between women and the White House. The first Black woman to be seen on a national party’s ticket during an election cycle was Charlotta Bass. She was nominated as the Progressive Party’s vice presidential pick in 1952. Twenty years later, New York congresswoman Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman to run for president; unlike Bass, she ran with the more-established Democratic party. Harris, who ran for president in the primaries, has spoken of the “stroller’s-eye view of the civil rights movement” she grew up with, attending marches with her parents. She joined activists in the streets this past sum-

mer, after the police killing of George Floyd, to support demands for an end to racial injustice and police brutality. Though Harris had branded herself as a “progressive prosecutor” throughout her career in some of California’s highest-ranking law enforcement offices, she also declared herself California’s “top cop” in 2016. Over the course of her 13-year career in law enforcement, Harris was involved in several decisions that left the public unsure of where she stands on key issues. For instance, she refused to pursue the death penalty for a man convicted of killing a police officer at the start of her career, but later defended California’s death penalty system in court. She now advocates for the elimination of lawful execution. In the wake of police brutality this past summer, Harris told the New York Times that “it is status quo thinking to believe that putting more police on the streets creates more safety. That’s wrong. It’s just wrong.” This differs from her stance on policing just a decade ago. In 2009, she released a book entitled, “Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor's Plan to Make Us Safer,” and spoke about policing in a chapter detailing the “tools of crime.” "If we take a show of hands of those who would like to see more police officers on the street, mine would shoot up,” Harris said. “Virtually all law-abiding citizens feel safer when they see officers walking a beat. This is as true in economically poor neighborhoods as in wealthy ones…But in addition to putting more police on the street, we have to look at the way officers are being deployed and how we measure whether they are achieving the goal of creating a safer community.” Supporters say this shift in opinion shows Harris has had a change of heart, while critics say this only supports their distrust in her ability to consistently stand up for any one issue. At a press conference last January at her alma mater, Harris said she regrets some of her decisions, adding that there were times when “folks... made a decision in my office who did not consult with me and I wish they had.” Nevertheless, she said she takes full responsibility for all that her office has done, and that “there is a lot about what [she] did as a prosecutor that [she’s] proud of.” During the same press briefing, she said she has made decisions in the past that “unfortunately” went against her beliefs, citing her defense of California’s choice to deny sexual reassignment

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris speaks to supporters at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, Calif., on Sept. 23, 2019, amidst her initial bid for the presidency. (Maxim Elramsisy/The Corsair)

surgery to an inmate who was transgender. To this point, she said she was obligated as attorney general to defend the state’s position in the case. Though her involvement in this decision challenges her support for the trans community, Harris has been celebrated for her establishment of a hate crimes unit to investigate and prosecute anti-LGBTQ+ violence. She also initiated challenges to the so-called “gay and transgender panic defense,” in which a defendant claims self-defense against unwanted same-sex sexual advances in order to lessen charges for their violent, and sometimes lethal, actions. California became the first state to ban the use of this defense in a court of law in 2018. In 2019, Harris unveiled proposals to scale back mass incarceration, end cash bail, and eliminate the death penalty as part of her campaign for President. She has yet to announce whether or not she will follow through on these plans as Vice President. Harris’s path from local to state to national politics is seen as an inspiration to many -- especially women and people of color, who do not see themselves represented in politics nearly as

often as white men. Harris also has a substantial history of legislative work that focused on women’s issues, and women of color’s issues specifically, such as maternal mortality among Black women and access to abortion. “While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last, because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities,” Harris said at her victory speech. “To the children of our country, regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message: dream with ambition, lead with conviction, and see yourselves in a way that others may not, simply because they’ve never seen it before. But know that we will applaud you every step of the way.” While there are many unknowns about what is to come with a new presidency, the Biden administration will add a level of diversity to the White House that highly contrasts the cabinet of Donald Trump’s 87% white, 83% male majority. After enduring four years with a divisive president, the nation will soon have leaders who — as Harris puts it — aim to “unite our country and heal the soul of our nation.”

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The Calm

Before the Storm Miyae Folks | Staff Writer

umerous places of business across Los Angeles boarded up shop in anticipation of civil unrest following the results of the 2020 election. In the days leading up to the election, luxury jewelry and clothing stores such as Versace, Cartier, and Stefano Ricci on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills boarded up windows and doors, as a measure to protect against a repeat of what took place over the summer. Businesses in Santa Monica mirrored

A man who declined to be identified hangs posters imploring people to vote in Los Angeles, Calif. on Oct. 29, 2020. (Maxim Elramsisy / The Corsair)

Beverly Hillsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; approach, with shops boarding up storefronts and posting signs warning customers of temporary closures following Election Day, some up to Nov. 5. Downtown Santa Monica exploded in widespread vandalism and looting on May 31, following a peaceful protest against police brutality on Ocean Ave. Downtown Los Angeles and other areas of the city also took precautions leading up to Election Day. Despite those fears, Election day and the week following passed without acts of violence or lawlessness.

Two men board up the RVCA store on Main Street in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tues., Nov. 3, 2020. Many businesses on Main Street have been boarded up as business owners prepared for possible civil unrest as the election results are known. (Marco Pallotti/ The Corsair)

Construction staff works to build wood boards to protect the windows of the Cartier building on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Nov. 5, 2020. (Carolyn Burt/The Corsair)

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A Glance at the New First Lady and Second Gentleman Johnny Neville | Social Media Editor

r. Jill Biden, wife of President-elect Joe Biden, and Douglas Emhoff, husband of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, are making history this election in different ways. Dr. Biden was the only Second Lady to hold a paying job outside government while actively in that position, and is going to be the only First Lady to do this, as she is planning to continue teaching English at a community college in Virginia. In addition, Emhoff will be the first male and first Jewish spouse of a president or vice president, perfectly complementing his wife’s historic election. Jill Biden met the President-elect in 1975, during his first term as a U.S. Senator from Delaware, and just a few years after he lost his first wife and daughter in a car accident. They got married two years later and had a daughter, Ashley, who — along with Biden’s sons Hunter and Beau from his previous marriage — formed the family Dr. Biden helped raise. Throughout her long career as an educator, Dr. Biden has worked in a psychiatric hospital as well as public schools and colleges across Delaware and Washington, D.C., all while earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English, a master’s in education, and a doctorate in educational leadership. She began working at Northern Virginia Community College in 2009 and continued there throughout her term as Second Lady. In an August 2020 interview with CBS News, Dr. Biden described how important her job was to her: “I teach a lot of immigrants and refugees. I love their stories, I love who they are as people, and I love the fact that I can help them on their path to success.” In addition to teaching, Dr. Biden began the Biden Breast Health initiative in 1993 and continued to work for a variety of causes during her time as Second Lady. While in the White House, as listed on the White House government website, she “worked to bring attention to the sacrifices made by military families, to highlight the importance of community colleges to America’s future, and to raise awareness around areas of particular importance to women, including breast cancer prevention.”

The new Second Gentleman-designate, Douglas Emhoff, was born in New York and moved to Los Angeles as a teenager. He graduated from Agoura High School in Agoura Hills, Calif., California State University Northridge, and the University of Southern California, before starting a career as an entertainment lawyer. He and Harris, then the California Attorney General, met on a blind date and got married in 2014. Harris joined the family of Emhoff and his two children from a previous marriage, Cole and Ella. The Biden-Harris campaign has benefitted from the efforts of both of these spouses. Dr. Biden and Emhoff have played active roles in the campaign over the past two years, making appearances on the campaign trail with their spouses and holding separate solo events. “When we’re out on the trail…in separate cities, we stay connected all day,” Emhoff said in an October 2020 People Magazine interview. “It helps drive the campaign, because we’re responding to what’s going on out there in the real world.”

The Biden-Harris presidency will also benefit from Emhoff’s and Dr. Biden’s efforts. Emhoff has not talked about any specific policies or initiatives he will take as Second Gentleman, but said, “there are things that I’m really passionate about, like justice and access to justice, but…I really just want to focus on winning this election.” Dr. Biden stated in an interview on The View that her main priority as First Lady will be education, including advocating for free community college and greater internet accessibility for students. Her other priorities will include supporting military families and cancer health and research, continuing what she has worked on in her foundations and as the Second Lady. She has also said she wants to continue to teach when she becomes First Lady. “It’s important,” she said in a CBS News interview. “I want people to value teachers and know their contribution.” She has also discussed her and her husband’s education plan. “We have to make our education policy teacher-centric,” she said in a June 2019 interview on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. “We want a Secretary of Education who is a teacher, and we want to raise up the profession. We

are professionals, and we want to be paid like professionals and respected like professionals.” The Biden-Harris campaign’s education policy includes similar ideals, including raising pay for teachers, ensuring student equality regardless of demographic or socioeconomic factors, and providing career opportunities to middle and high school students. In regards to holding political positions in the White House or working on their spouses’ staffs, both Dr. Biden and Emhoff have said they plan to leave it to Biden and Harris. “I’m her husband, that’s it,” Emhoff said in a People Magazine interview. “She’s got plenty of great people giving her political advice…. I’m here to have her back.” Dr. Biden echoed this sentiment in a CBS News interview back in August, before her husband had picked Harris as his running mate: “We’ve talked about all the women candidates, but it’s gotta be Joe’s decision, who he feels most comfortable with, who shares his values.” While the charisma and chemistry between Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been in the spotlight throughout the campaign, the relationship between Dr. Biden and Emhoff has yet to be seen in a major light. Former First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Biden were known for having a very close, friendly relationship, but the same has not been observed in current First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Karen Pence. Dr. Biden expressed her sentiments about her future partnership with Emhoff in an interview on The View: “It’s been fun traveling with Doug…. When we were on the campaign trail we got along really well together, so, I think that relationship will just continue”. Dr. Jill Biden’s husband, the president-elect, was first elected to a national office in Washington 47 years ago, and has since held a variety of the highest positions in our government and run for president three times. She has been through it all. Douglas Emhoff’s wife, the vice president-elect, was first elected to the Senate just three years ago and has only run for president once, so Emhoff is more of a newcomer. Either way, when their spouses are inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2021, the country will watch as Dr. Biden and Emhoff celebrate and explore their new roles as First Lady and Second Gentleman of the United States. Illustration by Carolyn Burt

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The Wiltern Theater serves as a voting center for the 2020 national election for Los Angeles County on Nov. 3. (Guadalupe Perez/ The Corsair)

Election Day

Uncertainty Allie Leeds | Culture Editor

alifornia saw extremely high voter turnout this year, with over 15 million voters participating in the presidential election. The state sent mail-in ballots to all registered voters, leading to a high percentage of voters casting ballots by mail or in one of the official drop-off boxes. Additionally, California reworked their approach to polling places. Many large, open spaces temporarily converted into polling places to accommodate for the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing guidelines. From Universal Studiosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; City Walk to The Hollywood Bowl, from Dodger Sta-

Two young women and one man were detained by the police for participating in a protest outside the Mercedes-Benz Dealership on Figueroa and Washington. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Alex Ramirez Canales/The Corsair)

dium to the Forum, new polling places popped up all around the L.A. area. There were around 750 voting stations in L.A. County according to the Associated Press, compared to over 4,500 in 2016, according to L.A. Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website. The state allowed counties to open fewer polling places than usual, but required them to open said places earlier to minimize crowding on Election Day. However, due to the large percentage of mail-in ballots and high levels of early voting, these places felt surprisingly empty on Election Day. Over 10 million ballots were cast in California before Nov. 3, according to the New York Times.

A voter in the Crenshaw District amidst a national Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Octavia Anderson / The Corsair)

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Trump Cries Fraud: A Refusal to Concede Carolyn Burt & Drew Andersen | Managing Editor & Staff Writer

hope he will be a successful president for all Americans.” In 2008, Republican presidential candidate John McCain gave his concession speech where he addressed the nation. After informing the crowd he had just spoken with President-elect Obama to congratulate him, McCain was met by boos of those in attendance. The Senator promptly cut their vocal reaction short by lifting his hands up in a stop motion and said “please” before returning to his speech. “In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, [Obama’s] suc-

President-elect Bill Clinton and congratulated him, H.W. Bush went on to say, “I want the country to know that our entire administration will work closely with his team to ensure the smooth transition of power. There is important work to be done and America must always come first so we will get behind this new President and wish him well.” Even though President-elect Biden gave his victory speech on Sat., Nov. 7, Trump seemingly has no plans to publicly concede. In the hours before major media networks declared Biden the president-elect, Trump took to

next to it to learn more. If viewers wish to see the tweet that has been flagged, they must click “view.” These tweets are n the days following the election, also unable to receive comments, likes, President Donald Trump took to or retweets — with Twitter's reasoning twitter to dispute the results as they being that they are trying to, “prevent were announced. Trump’s made a Tweet like this that otherwise breaks claims that the “Lamestream Media” is the Twitter Rules from reaching more not the one to call the election, and with people,” noting that those on the plata statement to his followers that, “Tens form can still quote tweet it. of thousands of votes were illegally reIn addition to using Twitter, Trump’s ceived after 8 P.M. on Tuesday, Election team has been sending out emails to Day,” it became apparent that the sitthose who have signed up to support ting president had no plans to concede. his campaign asking for donations to In normal times, the transition from help fund their lawsuits under the tione occutle “Official pant to the Election Deother goes fense Fund,” smoothly with fine print with the instating that auguration 60% of the ritual. Out donation is with the old going to elecregime and in tion debt. with the new In the one. This is absence of how events Trump's conhave played cession, forout for over mer Presi200 years dent George in American W. Bush, the history. only other The curliving Repubrent conduct lican presiof Trump dent, put out having lost a statement the recent congratulatelection ing both Preslooks as if ident-elect he does not Biden and want to play Vice Presby the rules, ident-elect nor does he Kamala Harappear ready ris. “Though to cooperwe have politate with esical differenctablished es, I know Joe law. America President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Wed., Feb. 19, 2020, in Phoenix, Ariz. (Yasamin Jafari Tehrani/The Biden to be seems to be Corsair) a good man, in unchartwho has won ed political waters as Trump refuses to cess alone commands my respect for Twitter to announce his own victory. “I his opportunity to lead and unify our concede the results of the election to his ability and perseverance but that he WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT!” said country,” said W. Bush. “The American President-elect Joe Biden. managed to do so by inspiring so many Trump in a tweet that has been flagged people can have confidence that this Throughout U.S. history, it has be- millions of Americans who had once by Twitter. election was fundamentally fair, its income tradition for the losing candidate wrongly believed that they had little at Other tweets from Trump have re- tegrity will be upheld, and its outcome to call the president-elect to congrat- stake or little influence in the election ceived similar notation for information is clear.” ulate them before publicly conceding of an American president, is something that has been disputed. While some Trump’s occupancy as president exto the country. This speech to the na- I deeply admire and commend him for simply have a blue exclamation point pires on Jan. 20, 2021, the day his term tion is typically given before the pres- achieving,” said McCain. icon at the bottom of the tweet inform- in office ends. He is required by the ident-elect gives their victory address. George H.W. Bush, the last sitting ing viewers as to why the tweet has Constitution to vacate the premises at It’s a moment for both candidates to president to lose their re-election, was been flagged, some of the president's 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, put political parties aside and address met with chants of “Thank you George” tweets are no longer viewable on his D.C. the nation united. when he gave his concession speech in Twitter page. The new occupant, Biden, will reWhen Democratic nominee Hillary 1992. “Here’s the way I see and here’s A thread of the president's tweets place him in the White House. He has Clinton gave her concession speech in the way the country should see it, that from Nov. 7 now have a banner that been elected president by not only over 2016, she acknowledged that she called the people have spoken and we respect reads, “Some or all of the content 270 electoral votes, but with the popPresident-elect Donald Trump to con- the majesty of the democratic system,” shared in this Tweet is disputed and ular vote of a record 76 million Amerigratulate him. She offered to work with said H.W. Bush. might be misleading about an elec- cans, as of Nov. 10. him on behalf of the country, saying, “I After telling the crowd he had called tion or other civic process,” with a link

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A biker flies a Trump 2020 flag while cycling down Santa Monica Blvd. at a rally in support of President Trump in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Nov. 7, 2020. (Johnny Neville / The Corsair)

Trump Supporters

Take to the Streets Maxim Elramsisy | Photo Editor

resident Trump's supporters from around Southern California descended on Beverly Gardens Park in Beverly Hills, one of the only red-leaning districts in Los Angeles County. As they chanted “Four More Years” and waved Trump 2020 flags, an observer might not realize that the race had been called that morning, with former Vice President Joe Biden declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election. The sentiment amongst the crowd was that Trump had won and then the election was stolen. Former Republican candidate for California’s 37th Congressional District Errol Webber described his theory. “A couple weeks ago I received some ballots in the mail. Eight. I received eight ballots in the mail. Integrity

had me fill out just one. The other seven are locked away in the filing cabinet. Think about all the other people who didn’t think about integrity and filled out the additional ballots that they received in the mail. Think about how that can skew an election.” He couldn’t produce any evidence to support his claim. All ballots in California come with personalized barcodes to track voting, thereby preventing individuals from voting more than once, and allowing people to see that their votes are counted. President Trump has for years challenged the integrity of elections, famously declaring during a 2016 debate that he would accept the results “If I win.” Though recounts and court cases are assured, the margin of President-elect Biden’s victory continues to grow, despite President Trump’s continued declarations that he won on election night.

President Donald Trump's supporters demonstrate in Beverly Hills, Calif., after Joe Biden was projected as 46th President of the United States of America. Sat., Nov. 7, 2020. (Yasamin Jafari Tehrani / The Corsair)

Supporters of President Trump rally in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Nov. 7, 2020. (Maxim Elramsisy / The Corsair)

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SPECIAL REPORT

The Nation Reacts to Another Historical Moment in 2020 Jackie Sedley | News Editor

ities across the country shook with cheers and screams from 8:30 a.m. PST on, following several media outlets’ confirmation that former vice president Joe Biden had won the presidential election over incumbent Donald Trump. According to the Associated Press (AP), Biden won Pennsylvania’s 20 electoral votes and Nevada’s six electoral votes, putting him over the 270 needed to win the race. A coalition of social justice groups and labor unions already had a protest planned for Saturday, Nov. 7, before election results were finalized. Organizers aimed to unite those who joined in, “not only to defend but strengthen our democracy by advancing justice and inclusion,” AP reports. The protest was also planned against Trump, and his premature victory declaration earlier in the week. However, the protest shifted to that of a celebration, as Biden’s victory entirely discredited Trump’s claims. Around 9 a.m., thousands culminated at Pershing Square, Mariachi Plaza, MacArthur Park, and the cross section of Martin Luther King Blvd. and South Figueroa St. in Downtown L.A. The groups began marching across the city around 10:30 a.m., gathering at City Hall by noon. The organizers included Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, Democratic Socialists of America Los Angeles, Refuse Fascism, the California Faculty Association, and a number of other groups and labor unions. The coalition required participants to wear masks, socially distance, and remain nonviolent. There were no arrests made or injuries reported, though a large body of riot-clad Los Angeles police officers lined Spring St., outside of LAPD headquarters. Demonstrators made their presence known, waving American, LGBTQ+, Mexican, and American flags. A feeling of celebration and unity filled the chilly downtown L.A. air, as protestors exuded relief over the knowledge that Donald Trump was voted out of office. Some demonstrators appeared more hopeful about Joe Biden than others. Lauren De Dios strided down First St. near City Hall, carrying a blue sign over her head that read “Sanity Restored, Biden 2020” in silver lettering. Her enthusiasm for Biden was highly motivated by her dissatisfaction with Trump. “I’m tired of the bulls**t. I’m so glad [Trump’s] out of here,” De Dios said.

“I’m so glad that there’s sanity restored back into this fu****g world. “I’m hoping that [Biden’s] going to restore everything that Trump destroyed.” About 12 miles west, in Beverly Hills, Trump supporters took to the streets for a "Stop the Steal" protest. Adorned in "Keep America Great" hats, demonstrators held American flags and

mentia. Hunter is on cra[c]k." Following the declared victory of Biden from MSNBC, CNN, FOX, and other major news stations, the 77-yearold President-elect issued a public statement confirming his win. "I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Har-

Just hours after Joe Biden was projected as the 46th president of the United States, Los Angeles residents participated in a march to defend each other and demand democracy. The march started at Pershing Square and ended in front of Los Angeles City Hall on Sat., Nov. 7, 2020, in Los Angeles, Calif. (Alex Ramirez Canales/The Corsair)

aggressively-worded signs while making allegations against Democrats, the Biden administration, and the overall voting process. Of the hundreds of signs seen across Beverly Blvd., some particularly accusatory posters read, "Just say NO to RACIST Joe and Kamala the HO," "The Media Doesn't Matter," and "America will not elect a prostitute for vice-president. Kamala is not Black. Joe has de-

ris. In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again that democracy beats deep in the heart of America,” Biden 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."

Vice President-elect, and now-former California senator, Kamala Harris also acknowledged the win, both via Twitter and Instagram. She posted a video of her on a phone call with Biden, laughing and saying, “We did it, we did it, Joe. You're going to be the next president of the United States.'' Just an hour before Biden was officially declared the winner, Trump tweeted “I WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT!” Around the time that the results were announced, Trump’s lawyer and former New York City mayor, Rudy Guiliana, held a press conference in the parking lot of the Four Seasons Total Landscaping building in Philadelphia, after the president tweeted it would be held at the Four Seasons luxury hotel. There he claimed that election officials in the city failed to inspect mailin ballots properly. Additionally, Trump issued the following statement while golfing at his club in Virginia, according to the AP. “We all know why Joe Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner, and why his media allies are trying so hard to help him: they don’t want the truth to be exposed. The simple fact is this election is far from over,” the statement read. Trump proceeded to make baseless claims regarding illegitimate ballot counting, unreliable media coverage, and general digs at the Democratic party. “Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated,” the statement continued. “The American People are entitled to an honest election: that means counting all legal ballots, and not counting any illegal ballots. This is the only way to ensure the public has full confidence in our election.” Vice President-elect Harris has made history as the first woman, Black person, and South Asian-American person to be elected as vice president. On Saturday night at 5 p.m. PST, Biden addressed the nation from Wilmington, Delaware. The night started off with a speech by Harris, followed by a clear declaration of victory from the President-elect. “My fellow Americans, the people of this nation have spoken. They have delivered us a clear victory. A convincing victory,” Biden said. “A victory for ‘We the people.’ We have won with the most votes ever cast for a presidential ticket in the history of this nation — 74 million.”

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Having COVID-19 During the Election Conner Savage | Podcast Producer

unday Nov. 8 marked two weeks for me, two weeks since I contracted COVID-19. When I entered quarantine Donald J. Trump was our President. This election could not have had better timing, occurring just nine days into my two week quarantine. Now I feel like I am entering an entirely new world. A world of hope, joy, and celebration, in which Joseph R. Biden Jr. is projected to be the president-elect and Kamala D. Harris to be vice president-elect. Being a part of the COVID-19 statistics during this election felt pretty weird. It was as if there was just one more thing at stake that I had not anticipated. I was a part of a new class of Americans, a victim, for lack of a better word, of this current administration's continued inadequate response to this

crisis. I was fortunate enough to only present minor symptoms of COVID-19. It felt like a decent cold or minor flu coupled with no taste and smell. My time with the virus entailed an easier recovery than I had expected, which allowed me to return to my classes and to The Corsair’s news coverage just in time for the election. My mental health was a different story. The weekend before the election my physical health began to improve, and my mental health started to tank. Through Election Day my anxiety shot through the roof. Existential dread found its way in, stress manifested, and I was overwhelmed with an array of other unrecognizable emotions. By Nov. 4, all I was left with was stress. Throughout the entire week, all I wanted to do was go outside or take a drive,

just to escape my room. Then the waiting game ended. Saturday morning my quarantine isolation was abruptly broken by my mom. She rushed in and woke me with, "Biden just won, now go back to sleep.” I immediately put my head back on my pillow, taking several moments to process what she just said. I shot up out of bed, as if I was in a cartoon. For the next five minutes, I gripped my desk’s chair as I cried in relief. That morning I felt like 45 pounds were lifted off my shoulders. Even now on Nov. 10, I wonder how the hell I made it through this election while being locked in one room. I can only chalk it up to having CNN running every waking minute on my TV, editing videos for hours on Election Day through Saturday, and the many, many Zoom calls with The Corsair staff.

The one thing I can say is those countless Zoom calls made this week bearable. Whether we were all muted watching as events unfolded, playing rounds of Among Us, or pulling quotes from one of Biden’s or Trump’s speeches, it all helped. The two things having COVID-19 has taught me are to be grateful for people, even if you just see them on a screen, and that I would not wish this virus on my worst enemy. As a first time voter and journalist, this election meant a lot to me. If Trump had won I knew that COVID-19 cases would more than likely rise and his attacks on journalism would continue. But with Biden’s victory I am relieved to know that hopefully less Americans will experience what I have and that there is hope for our country.

A Real Patriot's Guide to Veterans Day Michael Goldsmith | Staff Writer

rmistice Day was originally created to commemorate the end of World War I, “the war to end all wars.” Its name and meaning have evolved over the years into what is today known as Veterans Day. The national holiday is intended to highlight the costly and sometimes ultimate sacrifice of those who have volunteered to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” It salutes the heavy and lonely burden placed upon the broad shoulders of young men and women in the prime of their lives, many times with images and dreams of horrific violence and tragedy to carry with them until their final breath. But perhaps most importantly of all, Veterans Day gives every single never-done-nothing, bumper sticker patriot a chance to tell the rest of us what it means to be a real Murikan’. Being a veteran myself, let me start out by saying that anyone who didn’t wear the uniform has to automatically respect and accept anything I say when it comes to the military, veterans, and what it means to be an American. The same thing goes for those who did serve and disagree with me. For anyone who thinks that the First Amendment extends to all Americans equally, as the Founders intended, I offer this humble advice: Love it or leave it, you yellow-bellied snowflakes! One group of true American patriots that don’t need to be lectured on

American exceptionalism are those brave souls who fly gigantic flags and political banners off their vehicles. I’ve heard some people say they’re just trying to compensate for their inadequate packages, but I’m here to tell you that’s all lame-stream media FAKE NEWS! So what if those bumper sticker patriots, including some who happened to have served in the military, never had the courage to put their own asses on the line in any meaningful way for the country? We’re talking about giant flagpoles, people! Suck on that King George! On the opposite end of the patriotism spectrum are those anti-American, dark-skinned thug, communist activist athletes. How dare they not stand for the national anthem? Heels touching and toes pointing out in a 45-degree angle, fingers curled and thumbs touching the seams of their trousers, unblinking eyes staring straight ahead. Just like every other person in that stadium and watching from home does! Everyone knows that sporting events are basically the same thing as military funerals and memorials for the dead. What do those professional athletes think this is? A children’s game being played by adults for the entertainment and distraction of society? A bunch of Bin Laden's if you ask me, every single one of them. It’s not as if any of these athletes or their families have ever served in the military. Except maybe for that Pat Tillman guy, but he was one of the “losers” who got killed

serving in Afghanistan. 2nd Batt Special Operator? More like Special Operations “Sucker!" Almost as pathetic as all those American prisoners of war. Me personally, "I like people who weren't captured, ok? I hate to tell you." As dumb as Tillman was, he wasn’t half as bad as all these lazy, homeless veterans clogging up the sidewalks and freeway underpasses, with their sheltered lives of privilege. Work much? Real patriots let these welfare-queen freeloaders hear it every time they pass them on the streets: Get a job “losers!” Especially the ones wearing rags and yelling at park benches and street signs — as if they can’t work a nine-to-five job as a telemarketer. Quit scamming the system and pull yourself up by your nonexistent bootstraps! But perhaps the worst kind of veterans are those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). What a bunch of weaklings, those crybabies who “can’t handle it.” As for the roughly 20 veterans a day in this country who kill themselves? They’re nothing but attention-whore drama-queens! Feeling like you’ve spiraled down a deep dark hole that you’ll never be able to climb your way out of, with no light at the end of the tunnel, or any hope that anyone else even understands what you’re going through? Hike up your skirt and man up, snowflake! I’ll pay a penny more in taxes so that these suicidal veterans can get help they need through the Veterans Administration when they pry it from my cold, dead

hands! My best piece of advice for Americans this Veterans Day is to follow the lead of red-blooded patriots like Eddie Gallagher. War criminal, s’mores criminal, I say! Only a true American hero can stab an already fatally wounded kid in the neck, just so he can brag about getting a knife kill. Get that Medal of Honor on standby! And I don’t want to hear any complaints about the current commander in chief endorsing and spreading a Russian conspiracy theory about Osama Bin Laden still being alive, his supposed corpse actually that of a U.S. Special Operator purposely killed by our own military just for that purpose. Sounds like some crazy nonsense your dementia-addled grandfather would say? More like telling it how it is! So as we focus on the immense sacrifices of those who have served in our armed forces this November 11, it’s important to remember what this solemn day really represents. Never forget…that only some people in this country are entitled to the inherent, God-given protection of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. And if you disagree with me in any way, you’re not one of those people. God bless America. God bless freedom of speech.

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All Hail Queen Kamala Johaira Dilauro | Staff Photographer

o have a women that looks like me, that bleeds like me, that has felt oppressed like me holding the second highest office in the country; this is a feeling that brings tears to my face and relief in my heart. For it to be 2020 and for Kamala Harris to be the first at some many things shows us how stagnant we have been as a country to welcome change. She is the first Female, the first black person, the first Asian person to hold the title as Vice President of the United States. As a woman living through this historic time it baffles me how females represent 50% of the population and how this is the first time, we have held a title as VP. To see online the pictures of the 48 middle aged white men that have held the title of VP and then for the first time see the joyful face of Kamala Harris in the picture display makes me feel as if our communal ancestors are rejoicing. Kamala Harris was born in Oakland, California to immigrant parents. Her father from Jamaica and her mother from India. I myself, a daughter of immigrants, sheds tears of hope for our country. I can feel the release of joy from women everywhere, not just in the United States, but from all around the world. Colored girls everywhere dressing up as Kamala Harris. Raising their heads high and reminding the world, “I am Speaking.” Women everywhere are finally seeing themselves as prominent leaders. Immigrant parents rejoicing and are given a glisten of hope that their sacrifices to come to America are not in vain. Trailblazing women throughout history deserve a moment of celebration and gratitude. From Harriet Tubman to Stacey Abrams, and to all the brave women that continue to create opportunities, thank you. During her acceptance speech Kamala Harris thanked her idol, the first African American woman elected to US Congress, Shirley

Chisholm. She served in Congress from they’ve never seen it before,” Harris 1969-1983. In 1972 Chisholm became said during her acceptance speech. To the first woman to run witness the beautiful variety of color, for the Democrata biracial couple, and combined To ic presidential family dynamics is a welwitness the nomination. come change from the Having a vanilla flavor we've beautiful variety of woman in been experiencing color, a biracial couple, the White for the past 231 Ho u s e and combined family dy- years. as Vice America P r e s i - namics is a welcome change w e l c o m e s dent of you with from the vanilla flavor the Unitopen arms. we’ve been experienced States We are is truly indeready to ing for scribable. She have more spoke with so women in much joy, pride, opleadership. We are timism, and lightness in her excited to see you in acheart the day she won; this heaviness tion. We look forward was lifted from my heart, I felt a release to watching you grow of deep suppressed pressure. With her into your role. To witundeniable femininity and nurturing ness you leading with energy, us woman we welcome it, 2020 kindness, compasowed us a win. sion, and resilience This is history. As Kamala on Nov.7 to our most pressing stated, “While I may be the first wom- issues as a nation. an in this office, I will not be the last.” Millions of little girls, young women, and grown women for the first time in our history as a nation saw themselves through Kamala Harris on the screen. For the first time they were affirmed, I can do that too. So, I thank you Kamala, thank you for having the courage, the tenacity, and undeniable skill set to finally break the barrier. Your brilliance, advocacy, and preparedness awarded you with the opportunity to provide hope to our Country. I have no doubt that Kamala Harris as VP will better us for generations to come. “To the children of this country, regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message: dream with ambition, lead with conviction and see yourself in a way that others may not. Simply because

The fact that Kamala Harris is the first at so many things this late in our nations history exposes how stagnant we have been as a country to welcome change.

the past 231 years.

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Michael Leggesse | Staff Writer

n Nov. 7, four days after election day, democratic supporters socially distanced in their cars filled a parking lot in Wilmington, DE, eagerly awaiting their Presidential-elects’ victory speeches. Senator Kamala Harris stepped onto the stage, dressed in head-to-toe white - an homage to the suffragettes that fought for women’s equality. She addressed the nation as the first Black, Southeast Asian woman elected to become Vice President of the United States. Her win marks a crucial moment in history for women, people of color, and immigrant families. Women, especially women of color, can finally see themselves repre-

sented in such a high ranking position. Activist and former Georgia State Representative Stacy Abrams even said, “It’s a privilege to see yourself reflected in leadership.” Black women have historically been the most disadvantaged group of people in the country, but now Kamala Harris will hold the second most powerful seat in the United States Government. This moment will cement itself as a milestone for equality in the U.S.. This is another win for people of color, but as a California native, I also feel some ambivalence towards Harris' track record as district attorney of San Francisco, and attorney general of California, carries an under-exemplary past. Harris’ time as attorney general saw her imprison thousands of nonviolent second-time offenders. According to NPR’s radio segment, “All Things Considered,” many inmates were given eligibility for parole after the Supreme Court ordered California to reduce its prison population by 33,000 inmates, due to overcrowding that led to starvation and death. Harris’ lawyers tried to argue that the release would reduce their prison labor pool. A distasteful argument when looked at through the lenses of the 13th amendment. The 13th amendment had abolished slavery at the conclusion of the Civil War. But a clause exempt prisoners from it, as the amendment states, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted...” Harris’ lawyers tried to argue that they needed prisoners so they could exploit the amendment for cheap prison labor in public and private service. Harris also implemented an anti-truancy policy in 2011. That policy would make it a criminal misdemeanor for parents if their child missed more than 10 percent of school attendance without an excuse that was satisfactory to the school. The fine was $2000 or one year in jail. This policy backfired heavily because parents were arrested and fined for absences due to extenuating circumstances, not truancy. Harris later realized how negatively this affected families and retracted the policy. In spite of all these instances, in the second democratic presidential debate, Harris stated that she is extremely proud of her past as attorney general. Her “Back on Track” program is a 12-18 month program that focuses on

education, employment, and 220 hours of community service. First-time nonviolent felony offenders were eligible to participate in this program rather than going into the prison system. The program connected them with resources to find positive life enhancing skills and trades, giving them a second chance at life. The program was very successful. Although Kamala Harris may not be the most progressive candidate, there other parts of her platform gives me hope, such as her contribution to the Green New Deal. But let me be frank, the main reason I voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris is because I wanted President Donald Trump out. Everytime I hear Trump say, “Make America Great Again”, while routinely stereotyping Mexicans and Muslims, I realize what type of “America” Donald Trump has in mind. In an exchange during the first presidential debate, on the topic of white supremacists and militia groups, Trump refused to denounce them. He instead called on the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by.” Why did Trump ask a hate group that rallied in Charlottesville to “stand by?" I have never been more concerned of what might happen to Black and Brown people since watching thousands carry tiki torches, confederate flags, and swastikas through Charlottesville. So for myself, a win for Joe Biden meant the removal of one of the most controversial, intolerant, bigoted presidents we have had in U.S. history. While I wished Sen. Bernie Sanders would have been on the Democratic ticket, I want to give President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris a chance. Just like Katie Couric and millions of other voters gave to Trump.

VP-elect Kamala Harris Isn’t the Voice That We Wanted, While her past has its questionable moments, Harris’ perspective as a Black-Indian woman from Oakland, California gives me hope that she and Biden will tackle systemic racism. Trump denies the notion of systemic racism in the U.S., likely because he was raised on another side of capitalism - he was born with a silver spoon and grew up lavishly. On the other side, Kamala Harris said in an interview with CNN, “We do have two systems of jus-

But the One We Need. tice” for Black and White Americans. The deaths of innocent black men and women at the hands of police brutality, the over 500 immigrant children that cannot find their parents, and the extreme differences we have in the wealth gap have been a result of a broken system. Her victory in becoming the first woman Vice President is a historic moment that disturbs the status quo. That disturbance will now make it a challenge for her. But time after time, Harris’ ability to overcome and change her perspective shows me, as a voter, that she can help shape a better tomorrow for people of color. She is the voice we need. Illustration by Carolyn Burt Layout by Sonia Hiew

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Anti-Trump signs and flags held by supporters of Joe Biden in Downtown Los Angeles, Calif., on Nov. 7, 2020. (Johnny Neville/The Corsair)

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People cheer and chant in Downtown Los Angeles, Calif., on Nov. 7, 2020. They were invigorated by the 2020 election, but pledged to continue organizing. (Maxim Elramsisy/The Corsair)

Sweet Sweet

Victory Aja Marshall | Staff Writer

n Saturday, Nov. 7, celebration amassed in the streets of Los Angeles (L.A.) in response to the news that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were the projected winners of the 2020 U.S. presidential race. Celebrators of different races, sexual orientations, ages, and backgrounds flooded the streets of neighborhoods such as Santa Monica and Sherman Oaks. In West Hollywood, traffic slowed to a crawl on Santa Monica Blvd. as people danced and cheered throughout the street. Rainbow flags, American flags, Biden and Harris memorabilia, and “You’re Fired” signs were seen throughout the crowd as passing cars honked

in support. Downtown L.A. hosted a peaceful march that started at Pershing Square and ended at the steps of L.A. City Hall. Fists were in the air as crowds marched, danced, and chanted with Black Lives Matter banners along the way. Police officers stood on guard at the entrance to City Hall. No confrontations were seen between marchers and the police. The news of Biden and Harris’ win came after a nail-biting race with their opponents, Donald Trump and Mike Pence. The race extended for four days after election night on Tuesday, Nov. 3. In elections past, the projected winner was usually announced on the evening of election night. The number of votes cast in this election reached an all-time high, extending the counting process.

People stood on top of their cars holding signs and flags celebrating Joe Biden’s victory in West Hollywood, Calif., Nov. 7, 2020. (Michael Leggesse/ The Corsair)

Police watched over the crowd from the highest steps of Los Angeles City Hall. Officers were equipped with riot gear and ready in position for any confrontation on Sat., Nov. 7, 2020 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Alex Ramirez Canales/The Corsair)