Bay Area Leaders Celebrate The Inauguration Of Harris And Biden

BAY AREA, CA — A resounding celebration was expressed by Democrats around California and the Bay Area following the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden and Oakland native Vice President Kamala Harris Wednesday morning.

Biden and Harris were formally inaugurated in Washington D.C. just before noon on Wednesday where just two weeks ago, a mob of raucous supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol.

"Today is a hopeful and inspiring day in America," California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. "I stand with the President in his clarion call for unity and healing, to once again listen to and respect our fellow Americans, to 'end this uncivil war.'"

While Trump was on his way to Florida, Former Vice President Mike Pence was in attendance for the inaugural ceremony. Although Trump is not the first president to refuse to celebrate his successor, his absence during the ceremony was a break from tradition.

The traditional ceremony featured a powerful poem, "The Hill We Climb" written and read by California's own Amanda Gorman— a poet and activist from Los Angeles — and performances by famed musicians Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks.

"I couldn't be more hopeful for tomorrow," San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in a statement. "Today our country finally moves forward under new leadership that will deliver on the basic principles that can heal our fractured democracy: unity, common decency, and compassion for all Americans," she said.

Breed, who is a strong supporter of Harris, said she was particularly overjoyed to watch the Bay Area's own take the inaugural stage.

"I join millions of women across the country in finally seeing a woman take the oath for one of the highest offices in the country," she wrote. "I join millions of Black women across this country in seeing Vice-President Harris take a seat at the table that so many have fought to secure for so long."

On Tuesday Breed begged Bay Area residents to stay home and remain socially distanced to celebrate the inauguration amid the ongoing coronavirus surge.

"We are still in a pandemic, the celebration that we would normally want to have sadly cannot happen," Breed said. "We need people to stay home, to watch the inauguration where they are."

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said as she hung a newly designed Oakland-Scranton flag outside her Piedmont home, "I'm beaming with hope and pride. Today is a new day!"

The flag represents the birthplaces of Harris and Biden.

Schaaf also announced that Oakland City hall would shine red, white and blue in honor of the inauguration.

"Gotta say it. The next State of the Union will feature the following people seated behind the President: Two women. Two San Franciscans. I'm so proud," State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco said.

And San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo offered a bit of a sobering statement.

"In the depths of our crisis, it can be tempting — and perilous — for many Americans to believe we're inaugurating a savior today," Liccardo said.
"The Constitution doesn't entitle us to saviors, though — only to people who muster their best ideas, energy, and spirit to lead," he said.

"It's up to all of us to do the hard work of supporting their leadership, and rebuilding our troubled nation in these difficult times," Liccardo added. "Let's celebrate this moment to exhale, to unite, and summon our common strength to overcome what still awaits us."

U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-East Bay) commented on the peaceful nature of the inauguration, despite high tensions and anticipated acts of violence law enforcement agencies all over the country prepared for leading up to the ceremony.

"Thank you a million to the military and law enforcement members who were called upon to keep us safe," he tweeted.

He also tweeted: "Congratulations to Joe Biden & Kamala Harris, our newly inaugurated [president] and [vice president]," Swalwell said. "The Biden Administration’s commitment to rebuilding our nation and governing with integrity comes at a critical time. Under their leadership, we can finally begin to build back better!"

U.S. Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Menlo Park) talked about a "turning point" for the country in her Wednesday statement.

"As I looked at the 200,000 American flags on the National Mall representing the Americans who could not attend the inauguration due to security concerns and the global pandemic, I was filled with a sense of hope that brighter days are ahead in the story of our country," Eshoo wrote.

Eshoo applauded Gorman and quoted the poem she read on Capitol Hill.

“As the brilliant young poet from California, Amanda Gorman, spoke today, we are ‘a nation that isn’t broken but simply unfinished,’ Eshoo said. "In this new era, we must come together to continue building our unfinished nation to be a kinder, bolder, unified America.”

Bay City News contributed to this report.