| 'Nobody Is Above the Law': Protesters Bring Message to Congress After Evening of Rallies Across the US |
| Written by <a href="index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=userProfile&user=48761"><span class="small">Marissa J. Lang, The Washington Post</span></a> |
| Wednesday, 18 December 2019 14:22 |
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Lang writes: "Hundreds of demonstrators - wrapped in winter scarves and puffy jackets to protect against the morning cold - gathered in the shadow of the Capitol on Wednesday to show lawmakers that their constituents support the impeachment and removal of President Trump."
'Nobody Is Above the Law': Protesters Bring Message to Congress After Evening of Rallies Across the US18 December 19
The rally began as a contentious and historic debate raged inside the House of Representatives. Some rallygoers lamented not being able to listen in as leaders of advocacy groups, a constitutional scholar and a veteran took the stage to lead the crowd in calls for Congress to act. In the biggest show of support since a House impeachment inquiry into Trump’s conduct began in late September, liberal advocacy groups coordinated more than 600 events across the country Tuesday evening, where voters vowed to demand action from elected leaders. “That is why we saw hundreds of thousands of people come out last night — in the freezing cold, and also in sunny Florida,” said Rahna Epting, executive director of MoveOn, a lead organizer of this week’s demonstrations. “We demand a fair trial for the United States of America … because nobody, not even the president, is above the law.”
Images from the rallies around the country were printed on large poster board and held aloft by protesters who cheered for gatherings in cities like Portland, Maine, and Lexington, Ky. Brandishing signs that said, “impeach now” and “country over party,” the crowd joined in a chant: “Nobody is above the law.” Protesters called for Trump’s removal and action from the Republican-controlled Senate, which so far has declined to call witnesses at next month’s impeachment trial. Reggie Hubbard, congressional liaison and D.C. strategist for MoveOn, said one goal of the rally is to show lawmakers the diversity that exists in support for impeachment “As you may have noticed, there are no elected officials today,” he told the crowd. “Today ain’t about them. It’s about us, we the people.” The rally outside the Capitol comes after protesters in snowy New England chanted “Dump Trump,” while those marching in southern Florida brandished signs reading “Impeach Putin’s Puppet.” Organizers said the nationwide protests — which took place from Hawaii to Maine — were to demonstrate to lawmakers that their constituents are behind them to defend the Constitution.
The House, which for days has been inching closer to impeaching Trump, held a debate Wednesday over whether Trump’s dealings with Ukraine violated his oath of office. A vote on the articles of impeachment is expected late in the day. House Democrats, who have led the charge on impeachment, allege that Trump tried to leverage a White House meeting and military support, sought by Ukraine to defend against Russian aggression, to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate 2020 presidential hopeful Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. This week’s demonstrations were organized by about 60 organizations, including MoveOn, Women’s March and the NAACP. For the Washington rally, organizers said, they also reached out to veterans groups and government accountability organizations. “The goal here is to have different types of groups — and different types of people — to show that this is not about party,” Hubbard said. “This is about the Constitution.” |
undreds of demonstrators — wrapped in winter scarves and puffy jackets to protect against the morning cold — gathered in the shadow of the Capitol on Wednesday to show lawmakers that their constituents support the impeachment and removal of President Trump.