Hugs, smiles, tears and words of encouragement filled Haggard Avenue on Nov. 6 following the election results between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. In the early hours of Wednesday morning, former President Trump was elected the 47th President of the United States.
Elon University invited students, staff and faculty to express words of hope on the portion of Haggard Avenue in front of Young Commons — closing the road from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to showcase and work on their public art display.
Uplifting songs played throughout the event, such as “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman, “We Are the World” by U.S.A For Africa and “Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5.
Sohpmore Aeiris Faloni writes inspirational words Nov. 6 on the asphalt of East Haggard Avenue.
Junior Zachary Diamond said he saw an email about the event and wanted to check it out. He wrote, “Sometimes you have to create your own sunshine” on the concrete.
“Every day is different,” Diamond said. “Some people have good days, some people have bad days — and on days like this where people are so conflicted, it’s important to manage your emotions.”
Diamond said he liked seeing so many people on the street expressing hope about the future.
“I think this is a great community builder where people can come together and share thoughts,” Diamond said.
Freshmen Sam Rapaport and Grace Hartsell heard the music while walking by Haggard and stopped by to check it out.
“I really think it’s important that as a community here at Elon, we unite around certain values of love and peace,” Rapaport said. “Just pressing that message as much as possible.”
On a chalkboard, Hartsell wrote, “Giving more”.
“Everyone needs a little bit of that, especially since a lot of specific groups are feeling maybe a little empty right now and a little lost,” Hartsell said.
Freshman Olivia Gover said she attended the event as a way to share her opinions and feelings following the results of the election.
“As a woman in America, I deserve the right to choose what I do with my body,” Gover said.
During former President Trump’s first term as president, he appointed three judges to the Supreme Court who overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Gover said she saw a lot of love and support crowding the street.
“There’s been a lot of understanding that we have to use our voice and continue saying what needs to be said,” Gover said.