Times
Square was filled with hundreds of cheering New Yorkers around
midnight, some waving American flags and nearly all whistling and
cheering when President Barack Obama was projected to win re-election.
Patty Lohr, 29, an actor and singer, ran from her Herald Square apartment to celebrate in the streets.
“I’m
so happy,” she said. “I ran here because my roommates are Republicans
and I had no one to celebrate with, and I’m going to to visit all my gay
friends. My heart is bursting.”
Oriana Simmons, 30, a Yorktown waitress, said she had just made it to Midtown when cheers erupted.
“Everyone
started screaming,” she said, adding that she waited in a 40-minute
line to vote. “I feel like it counted, like my vote counted, so I’m
proud.”
Lawrence Rios, 23, added that he was proud to celebrate with fellow New Yorkers.
“It was electrifying,” he said, “an electric atmosphere.”
