A woman in support of Donald Trump shouts across Beacon Street with her mask drawn to her chin. Photo by Matteo Venieri/BU News Service 
The two sides exchanged strong words and gestures across Beacon Street on Nov. 7, 2020. Photo by Matteo Venieri / BU News Service 
Nearly 100 Trump supporters gather in front of the Massachusetts State House on Nov. 7, 2020. Photo by Caitlin Faulds/BU News Service 
Tensions were high on both sides of the street as Trump and Biden supporters clashed after Joe Biden was announced the winner of the presidential race on Nov. 7, 2020. Photo by Caitlin Faulds/BU News Service 
Joe Biden supporters wave flags as a woman passes celebrating the defeat of President Donald Trump on Nov. 7, 2020. Photo by Caitlin Faulds/BU News Service 
Police look on as Donald Trump supporters gather at the foot of the Massachusetts State House on Nov. 7, 2020. Photo by Caitlin Faulds/BU News Service 
A woman shouts support for Donald Trump and denies the legitimacy of a Joe Biden win. Photo by Matteo Venieri/BU News Service 
Louis Shenker rallies Donald Trump supporters at the Massachusetts State House, denying the legitimacy of president-elect Joe Biden on Nov. 7, 2020. 5Photo by Caitlin Faulds/BU News Service 
A child waves a flag in celebration of Joe Biden on Nov. 7, 2020. Photo by Matteo Venieri / BU News Service 
Connor Pfeifer (left) and Michael Sweeney (right) hug at a rally for president-elect Joe Biden in front of the Massachusetts State House on Nov. 7, 2020. Photo by Caitlin Faulds/BU News Service 
A masked woman shows her support for President Donald Trump, as the Trump supporters thin and the Biden crowd grows. Photo by Matteo Venieri/BU News Service 
A man holds a small dog among the side of Joe Biden supporters on Nov. 7, 2020. Photo by Matteo Venieri/BU News Service 
Two Trump supporters chat in front of the Massachusetts State House on Nov. 7, 2020. Photo by Matteo Venieri/BU News Service 
Passing cars held flags and cheered for either Joe Biden or Donald Trump on Nov. 7, 2020. Photo by Caitlin Faulds/BU News Service 
A girl in a car cheers, “Go Biden,” as a Trump supporter looks on on Nov. 7, 2020. Photo by Caitlin Faulds/BU News Service 
Nearly 100 Trump supporters gather in front of the Massachusetts State House on Nov. 7, 2020. Photo by Caitlin Faulds/BU News Service 
Joe Biden supporters surge across Beacon Street to claim the steps of the Massachusetts State House on the afternoon of Nov. 7, 2020. A few Donald Trum supporters hold their ground. Photo by Caitlin Faulds/BU News Service
By Matteo Venieri and Caitlin Faulds
BU News Service
Tensions were running high on both sides of Beacon Street Saturday afternoon after the declaration of a Democratic win in the 2020 presidential election drew both Donald Trump and Joe Biden supporters to the steps of the Massachusetts State House.
Former vice-president Biden and running mate California Senator Kamala Harris were clear victors in the Boston area, winning 83% of the vote. But four hours after the race was called, nearly 100 Trump supporters waved flags and chanted, “Four more years,” in front of the State House, denying the legitimacy of Biden’s win. A growing crowd of Biden supporters on the other side of Beacon Street shouted in response, showing support for the new president-elect.
Cars passed by with windows down, passengers waving flags and showing their support for one side of the street or the other, to the cheers of the gathered crowds. The crowds maintained their ground for most of the afternoon, at times swarming forward to engage in heated verbal fights. By mid-afternoon, the Biden crowd numbered in the hundreds and the Trump supporters had thinned. Biden supporters rushed across Beacon Street to claim the steps of the State House, covering the few remaining Trump flags with Biden signs of their own.
