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As Congress debates impeachment inside, protesters outside the Capitol tell lawmakers: ‘Nobody is above the law’ As Congress debates impeachment inside, protesters outside the Capitol tell lawmakers: ‘Nobody is above the law’
(32 minutes later)
Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday on the doorstep of the Capitol to demand lawmakers vote to impeach the president, the morning after thousands rallied and marched in their home states to show Congress that Americans in all 50 states support impeachment. 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.
In the biggest show of support since a House impeachment inquiry into President Trump’s conduct began in late September, liberal advocacy groups coordinated more than 600 events across the country Tuesday at which voters vowed to demand action from elected leaders. 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.
‘Dump Trump!’ Protesters across the nation rally for impeachment‘Dump Trump!’ Protesters across the nation rally for impeachment
On Wednesday, activists said they were bringing that message directly to Congress. “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.”
At the northeast corner of the Capitol grounds, demonstrators began to rally at 9 a.m. and were expected to highlight images of scenes from the night before: Rallygoers in small towns and big cities, places from Times Square to the U.S. District Court building in Anchorage, demanding that Trump be impeached and removed from office.
Protesters here are calling for the removal of the president — and action from the GOP-controlled Senate, which has so far declined to call witnesses at next month’s impeachment trial. There were more than 600 rallies in all 50 states last night doing the same. #ImpeachmentRally pic.twitter.com/WvM9jlqWIwProtesters here are calling for the removal of the president — and action from the GOP-controlled Senate, which has so far declined to call witnesses at next month’s impeachment trial. There were more than 600 rallies in all 50 states last night doing the same. #ImpeachmentRally pic.twitter.com/WvM9jlqWIw
“Our goal is to show them the diversity that exists in the support for impeachment,” said Reggie Hubbard, congressional liaison and D.C. strategist for MoveOn, the lead organizer of the protests. “We want them to look out across the country and realize this isn’t partisan. The only ones making it partisan are congressional Republicans.” 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.
On Wednesday, Hubbard told the crowd, “as you may have noticed, there are no elected officials today. ... Today ain’t about them. It’s about us, we the people.” 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. 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 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.
Organizer Reggie Hubbard, congressional liaison and #DC strategist for @MoveOn, tells the crowd at this #NobodyIsAboveTheLaw rally: “As you may have noticed there’s no elected officials today. ... Today ain’t about them. It’s about us, we the people.” #impeachment pic.twitter.com/jVCfFkUbRqOrganizer Reggie Hubbard, congressional liaison and #DC strategist for @MoveOn, tells the crowd at this #NobodyIsAboveTheLaw rally: “As you may have noticed there’s no elected officials today. ... Today ain’t about them. It’s about us, we the people.” #impeachment pic.twitter.com/jVCfFkUbRq
The House, which for days has been inching closer to impeaching Trump, is expected to hold 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. 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.
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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.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.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.”“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.”
On Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, attendees held signs with the slogan “Nobody is above the law.”
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