12:17 a.m. And, they kept celebrating. A small crowd on Valencia Street built into hundreds of people taking over the sidewalks, dancing in the street and filling much of Valencia between 18th and 20th Streets. A percussion band entertained the revelers.
A policeman on his Valencia patrol said that he drove north at 11:10 p.m. and before long, the smaller group had multiplied. Another onlooker said it went from 100 to more than 300 people and at midnight no one appeared interested in calling it a night.
A long line waited outside of the corner store at 18th and Valencia. It took 20 minutes to get in and buy beer to continue the party–but no one complained. It was as if they were experiencing the ability to let loose for the first time in eight years. I can’t believe it, some shouted. Others stood on utility boxes to see the crowd and listen to it shout in beat with the drummers, Obama, Obama. AE
it’s been a long time since people were dancing in the streets of the mission after an election. a very long time.