A jubilant crowd welcomes news of Obama's election

(Essdras Suarez/Globe Staff)

Beverly Rock of Dorchester waved her cane as she and others celebrated word of Barack Obama's presidential victory at the Fairmont Copley Plaza.

By Jillian Jorgensen, Globe Correspondent

The big moment came at 11 p.m. when the networks declared that Barack Obama was the winner.

The crowd of several hundred at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston erupted into applause and began chanting, "Yes, we can." People danced to the oldie, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," and sang along with "We Are The Champions."

"I'm feeling great," said 16-year-old Robert Dabbas of the South End, who came to the event with his mother.

Caroline Osterman of Arlington, who said she had worked for both Jeanne Shaheen, the Democratic candidate for Senate in New Hampshire, and Obama, said, "I really like the fact that we are going to have change in America. It's about time that we Americans take care of America first."

"I am completely thrilled that a lot of people of all ages, races, and backgrounds are all here today," she said.

The crowd had earlier heard a rousing victory speech from US Senator John F. Kerry. But they were sent into a frenzy of delight when Obama's win was announced.

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