LOS ANGELES — Downtown L.A., which has been the site of many social and racial justice rallies and protests during the Trump presidency, was feeling celebratory in the wake of the announcement that Joe Biden had won Pennsylvania and is now President Elect Biden.
“[They asked me], ‘Did you hear about it? That Pennsylvania declared Biden?’ It’s like, Oh, thank God it’s done!” said Wagner.
Many organizations such as BLM had already planned pro-democracy rallies, but once the news of the Biden win spread, the mood quickly turned to jubilation and people took to the streets.
Despite accusations of voter fraud from the Trump administration, Wagner was quick to defend the voting process as she has seen it.
“We always have such a great team,” she said. “In 34 years, I have never seen any deliberate fraud. I have never seen a bus load of illegals pull up to vote. I have never seen anything that would indicate fraud.”
Despite the joyous mood, many are still concerned about a peaceful transition of power and the difficult road ahead for a nation still struggling with a pandemic and economic uncertainty.
“I’m praying for a peaceful transition,” said Wagner.
But for Wagner, the Biden win has already calmed some of her fears.
“Biden is a unifier,” she said. “He is going to bring us together. He's going to bring our us together with the world.”
Wagner has never been to a presidential inauguration but this year says that just might change.
“I want to go to DC for the inauguration,” said Wagner. “To show him what a really full promenade will be.”
And while Mary Jane Wagner acknowledges there is still a long, hard road ahead to healing the country, for now, a moment of celebration is a most welcome sight.