Washington, D.C.'s Black Lives Matter Plaza is still full of happy supporters of President-elect Joe Biden a day after his projected win.
People visited the plaza just north of the White House on Sunday to take it all in. The mood was one of optimism and joy. Many people had young children and pets in tow.
"I really wanted to share this experience with my daughter. I think it's a really important time in history and just also for her to just experience what's
going on today," one woman told News4.
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"It's very empowering, and it speaks … to young Black people that we can really do anything," an alumna of Howard University said.
Biden supporters flocked to Black Lives Matter Plaza on Saturday to cheer, dance and pop champagne. Revelers waved flags, sang and rang bells.
Photos: Biden Fans Take to Streets of DC to Celebrate
Visitors to D.C. from Florida learned Biden had won when their plane touched down.
“When we got off the plane, they said, ‘Hey! We have a new president. Wooo!’” a woman in Black Lives Matter Plaza said.
Before the election, downtown D.C. businesses braced themselves for potential unrest and boarded up their windows. Interim Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development John Falcicchio asked businesses on Sunday morning to take the boards down.
“As we thank the @DCDPW @DowntownDCBID @GoldenTriDC crews for cleaning up after yesterday’s spontaneous celebration on/around #BlackLivesMatter Plaza, we ask all businesses and property owners across the District to remove any boards or fencing put up last week,” he wrote on Twitter.
Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris gave victory speeches on Saturday night from Wilmington, Delaware.
Referencing political and cultural division in America, Biden said he would be a president for all Americans, whether or not they voted for him.
"For all of you who voted for President Trump, I understand the disappointment. I’ve lost a couple elections myself. But now let’s give each other a chance," Biden said. "We have to stop treating our opponents as our enemies. They are not our enemies. They are Americans."
Trump is not expected to ever formally concede, according to people close to him, but is likely to grudgingly vacate the White House at the end of his term. His ongoing efforts to paint the election as unfair are seen both as an effort to soothe a bruised ego and to show his loyal base of supporters that he is still fighting. That could be key to keeping them energized for what comes next.
Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.
