State Sen. Mike Gianaris joined attendees celebrating the Biden/Harris victory in Sunnyside Saturday (Photo: Paul Ker)
Nov. 9, 2020 By Jeanette Harrington
Sunnyside and Woodside residents flocked to Bliss Plaza at the 46th Street Station for a dance party Saturday to celebrate the news that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were named President and Vice President elect.
The event, organized by resident Morry Galonoy and dubbed “Democracy Wins,” was filled with attendees exhibiting joy, enthusiasm and–most of all–relief. On the approach to the station a cacophony of claps, cheers, laughter and horns echoed below the elevated train line making clear that a celebration was taking place.
Anatole Ashraf, a local resident and a Biden-Harris supporter, was relieved that the Democrats proved victorious and reached out to his peer group through social media calling on them to partake in the festivities. He called on members of the Queen County Committee–who in turn invited Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and State Sen. Mike Gianaris–to be part of the celebration.
The event, which took place at 4:30 p.m., included several inspirational speakers, followed by the dance party kicking off to the sounds of Cool and the Gangs “Celebration.”
Danielle Brecker, the impromptu MC, spoke first to the socially distanced and masked crowd, then introduced Van Bramer who celebrated the Working Family Party ticket remaining on the ballot.
Gianaris had words of inspiration. Julia Forman, Hallie Kim, Morry Galonoy, Ty Sullivan, Martha Ayon, Emily Sharpe, Thomas Muccioli and Emilia DeCaudin also spoke to the crowd that was in a celebratory mood.
The topics ranged from how people’s grandparents had been in active in the election, inspiring a new generation to be involved. Some spoke of how former Republicans even joined forces to help elect Biden, as well as immigrants–many of whom were still unable to vote.
State Sen. Mike Gianaris joined attendees celebrating the Biden/Harris victory in Sunnyside Saturday (Photo: Paul Ker)
Firebrand Thomas Muccioli waved the flag of activism by reminding people the Democrats had lost some seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and that the U.S. Senate still had to be won.
He noted the importance of the two Georgia senate run off races that will determine whether the Democrats retake the senate. He suggested that attendees get involved in those races through phone banks, post card writing and donations.
Muccioli said a large contingent of residents will be going South and canvassing across the state to help flip the Senate. Early voting in the Georgia senate races begins Dec. 14, with the runoff set for Jan 5.
The event Saturday was put together by many residents including Michelle Lee Nix, Melissa Bair and Kristin Doherty. Martha Ayon provided the sound system.
Other groups and organizations involved included Community Board 2 members, Democratic district leaders, The Sunnyside Woodside Action Group, and Queens County Committee For All.
The event wrapped up at around 6 p.m., then moved to Doughboy Park in Woodside where the celebration went on into the night.
Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer speaking at the Biden-Harris celebration Saturday (Photo: Paul Ker)
Julia Forman, candidate for the 26th Council District race in June, speaks to the attendees (Photo: Paul Ker)
Featured Events
36 Comments
Little did they know or understand, that there’s nothing to celebrate (not to mention that it’s premature ))) )
Trump lost by 5 million votes and 100 electoral votes. Do you know what determines the outcome of presidential elections in the US?
But meanwhile, that weekend sparked last week’s hike in covid cases, nearly shuttering schools!!!
Schools are closed!!! Thanks libtards!
wow such a big turnout lol
Makes sense I guess. Losers don’t usually get celebrated.
Patricia- It was definitely a much larger crowd than the crowd at Trumps inauguration.
The election is not over.
We need to seal the deal by flipping the Senate to the Dems in the January 5th Georgia runoff election for two Senate seats.
If you want REAL change then donate at:
ACTBLUE GEORGIA RUNOFF.
Someone tell the world we’re still waiting to count 0.5% of mail-in ballots in one state ?
Aha, there he is JIMMY!
Did they get permit for this gathering? How many parking spaces were occupied by this nonsense?
Regarding, Gianaris, don’t want to see his name, he is the one who pushed people to be against Amazon.
Where is AOC why didn’t she attend?
It’s Kool and the Gang.
Good luck to the contingent headed to Georgia, and stay safe. Will be an eye opener if you dare to get out into the rural areas.
To early to celebrate. Rudy’s launching the lawsuits for election balloting fraud.
I hope he can find a good parking lot to do it in
Announced at the Four Seasons too. Oh wait..it’s not THAT Four Seasons. It’s the shady looking landscaping company, aka his Philly buddies.
Rudy is a fraud.
GO RUDY GO GO GO GO. RUDY BE GOODE.
Let them have their celebration. In four years after the damage is down ,they will be secret Republican voters.
Oh the hallmark of a con artist, the “payout” or “end of the world” is always coming I heard this from Republicans when Bill Clinton and Barack Obama took office. Two of the most economically prosperous and socially successful administrations in American history which raised the US international standings to their highest since the end of WWII. But somebody who lacks a vocabulary and turns to foul language wouldn’t be educated enough to know this.
AWESOME STUFF RIGHT THERE!
We did it y’all! Love you Sunnyside!! And miss you all. I am at my beach house in LI.
Y’all? That’s not Sunnyside speak.
SUNNYSIDE FEELS GREAT AGAIN!!
Does this mean the Thanksgiving Day Parade is back on?
The parade will be pre-recorded slices. No live parade on Thanksgiving. No need to travel this year.
Looks like Dems only promote social distancing when it comes to Trump rallies and ballot observation.
Thanks for supporting Dr. Facui’s recommendations! If only the president would.
Adios Trump and his mentality…ı hope the same change comes to Turkey one day. Its was a great day celebrating victory over racists, sexists, homophobic, Islamophobic, Xenophobic and ignorant people
Not happening.
SERIOUSLY? This is a celebration?? I’ve seen more people shopping for Thanksgiving at Sam’s Club than this.
If anyone needs to celebrate Biden’s victory, it is Corona and Woodside.
I remember when Trump was announced president he was greeted with protests. Well, this is a good sign that Biden’s time will not be so divisive.
People couldn’t wait in line to vote but have no problem celebrating in extremely large crowds ??♂️
A rat infested plaza! What an appropriate place to hold a progressive celebration!
Get ready for the clampdown. More censorship more taxes to pay for the freebies. Cant forget you will be like china with a social credit score, and a $1000 fine for not wearing a mask.
And of course everything will be based on race first not behavior like MLK wanted us to follow
Celebrating now.. cry later?
Rikki- Your knowledge of politics leaves alit to be desired. How’s that reverse commute coming?
The reverse commute! It’s the answer people have been looking for!!! But people don’t listen to Rikki, so they live the life of a wage slave. Like the reverse commuters, who just do it in reverse.
You’re rambling about China and MLK? Do you think you’re on Facebook right now?