Post-Election Dancing Erupts in Streets Throughout the Nation
Dance has long been used as a powerful form of protest. So it’s all the more meaningful when that movement shifts from fighting oppression and injustices to celebrating a victory over them. That’s exactly with happened this weekend as people took to the streets when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were announced president- and vice president-elect, putting an end date on the Trump presidency.
From New York City to Los Angeles, Philadelphia to Minneapolis, people danced for joy, for catharsis, to let the stress melt away, if only for a brief moment. After a year stacked with enormous difficulty—from battling the coronavirus pandemic to racial unrest in the wake of the killings of Black people by police—dancing provided a much needed release.
As the vote count continued on Friday, people gathered in Philadelphia with banners reading “Surrender to Democracy.” They reclaimed a popular dance song, the “YMCA,” which had been frequently used by the Trump campaign.
Center City Philly is now out in the streets dancing to the Trump campaign theme song – YMCA…https://t.co/g2mJ1enLBt— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@Rex Chapman🏇🏼)1604684164.0
Later that evening, the next generation joined the celebration at Joy to the Polls’ #CountEveryVote dance party.
On Saturday in Jersey City, New Jersey, Martha Graham principal dancer—and frequent outdoor improviser—Xin Ying did an impromptu solo.
The holidays kicked off early in Los Angeles as a crowd gathered at a gas station and found new meaning in Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You”—Biden, that is.
Saw this last night during our own celebratory moments! Watching this and sharing the feelings of joy and happiness… https://t.co/7ylFkSmM20— Mariah Carey (@Mariah Carey)1604896867.0
Backed by a chorus of car horns, a Native American man danced alongside his car in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
A Native American dances in the street along with other individuals in Albuquerque NM https://t.co/LeN7m9Ig89— Sharon Chischilly (@Sharon Chischilly)1604796642.0
Young people gathered for a literal “Party in the USA,” belting the Miley Cyrus hit.
@realDonaldTrump The American people are dancing in the streets. Bells are ringing in Paris. Fireworks are going of… https://t.co/rtyS8zZ9PT— Aimee Swank (@Aimee Swank)1604791270.0
In Minneapolis, a group of Native American dancers and percussionists held a socially distanced performance in the street.
Hello from Minneapolis right now, in front of the police department’s 3rd Precinct, which was burned down following… https://t.co/ht04HsL26c— Tony Webster (@Tony Webster)1604773220.0
Meanwhile in New York City, James Whiteside, long a champion for LGBTQ+ rights, donned a unicorn costume to congratulate Biden and Harris on their win.
In Seattle, residents did another round of the Cupid Shuffle, which became a dance signature of the protests throughout the summer. It’s a symbol of celebration and unity—and the work ahead.
Capitol Hill Seattle is dancing where the Black Lives Matter mural is in the former CHOP protest zone. And yes, we’… https://t.co/FogWl2zYVx— Jennnnnnnnnnn (@Jennnnnnnnnnn)1604783236.0
