Hundreds of US nationals gather for election night in Barcelona

One of 2024's most anticipated events is unfolding in the United States, but hundreds are following the election night live from the city center of Barcelona.

The Democrats Abroad group organized an event in the Catalan capital that drew around 300 people, many of whom have been living in Catalonia for years, to track the first election results on the night of November 5. 

Described as one of the "most significant campaigns" in recent history, Americans gathered at Bistro Art in the Catalan capital to enjoy live musical entertainment and comedians and watch the outcome unfold together.

The prevailing mood among voters was one of general confidence and plenty of optimism, with some room for worry at the same time. 

The most important issues among voters canvassed by Catalan News were women's reproductive rights, the climate crisis, immigration, the economy and job creation, and international relations. 

Many of the attendees have lived in Catalonia for decades, while others are just visiting Barcelona for a few days and decided to take the opportunity to follow the count with compatriots.

Important to "share the moment"

"It’s a great atmosphere, people are very hopeful tonight," says Audrey, originally from Brooklyn, who grew up in New Jersey, but who has lived in Barcelona for the past 35 years. 

"I think it was really important to connect with people from my country and feel the spirit, the energy, and to support each other," she told Catalan News. "We met all kinds of people from all over the US." 

Joanna and Simon are a newly married couple who landed in Barcelona on the morning of the event. Both explained to Catalan News that they are considering moving to another country and admit that the election dynamics and a potentially worrisome future is playing a role in the decision they are weighing up. 

"We made a conscious decision to leave the country during the election, but it felt important to be not alone in this moment, which is a really pivotal moment for Americans, for the world, for Palestine, for reproductive rights, for climate change, for the preservation of democratic values," Joanna said.

"I think we’re nervous and we want to be amongst people who feel optimistic and feel hopeful," she added.

Simon explained that he's trying to "stay calm," although he admits that he is also bracing "to confront whatever the reality is afterward, which I feel like will be intense no matter what happens and could be really extreme and really scary."

Julie from Massachusetts, living in Barcelona the past three years, was one of the most confident of celebrating a Kamala Harris win tonight, despite also admitting that she feels "super nervous."

"I think for Kamala it’s going to be a win, and I think it’s going to be a surprising win," she said. "I believe that America knows what is right and knows what she stands for. I think there’s a lot at stake in this election and I think it’s going to be surprising and not as close as it seems."

Ally, meanwhile, confessed that she has been "dreading" this night for a long time," but arriving at the event she gained "a lot more hope." "Coming here tonight has been very nice, I didn't know if there would be a lot of people or not, and it's been really amazing to see the crowd that came out. It feels very positive so I'm walking away with a great experience."

Women's rights, climate, immigration; most important issues

Women's reproductive rights was the number one issue among voters surveyed by Catalan News on the night, mentioned by almost all people interviewed.

Ally explained that she has three daughters and was thinking about their future while casting her ballot. "It will make a big difference for their future. Women's rights is for me the number one."

Joanna works as a labor and delivery nurse and "abortion rights, the right to privacy in medical healthcare decisions for women is top of the ticket for me."

She explained that "right now in the United States, women are bleeding out in hospital parking lots, doctors are afraid to perform abortions that are life-saving, afraid to give hysterectomies in some cases that are life-saving."

Joanna also explained that as an "anti-Zionist Jewish-American," the war in Gaza is also one of her most important issues. "Certainly, the Biden administration is far from excellent, it has been bankrolling genocide in Gaza, and I’m hoping that Kamala will be able to pivot. Certainly, Trump will just develop the real estate of Gaza and flatten the area. As a Jewish-American I can’t stand that, I can’t have that be in my name."

Simon felt that "the preservation of democratic institutions, the preservation of the United States’ participation in a global community" were some of the most important points of this election. "At least the willingness to participate in international institutions like NATO and alliances, I’m really nervous about a United States that withdraws inside itself." 

Julie pointed to the climate crisis as her number one topic, along with women's reproductive rights, while also pointing out that "the history of America is immigration." 

Audrey is clear that women's rights is most important for her. She also added that "making the economy stronger, immigration, and hopefully improving the healthcare system," were also in her mind. 

As an American living in Barcelona for 35 years, she felt that international relations could be severely strained if Harris does not win. She feels like Trump is "very protective, very dictatorial, and I believe we’re [in Europe] on the esame wavelength as Kamala. She will bolster, encourage, and engage a bilateral, very positive relationship with the European community."