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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’ |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. | 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 |
| “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.” | “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.” |
| 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/WvM9jlqWIw | 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/WvM9jlqWIw |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 | 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.” | “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.” |
| Moments later, a bald eagle soared overhead. The crowd whooped and cheered as demonstrators noticed the bird gliding past. | |
| “I believe in omens,” Hubbard said. “So, if a bald eagle flies over you when you’re supporting the Constitution, I’m into that.” | |
| The country’s preeminent legal document was a major theme of the event. | |
| Speakers led civics lessons on the nation’s founders’ motivations for including impeachment in the original law of the land, and participants pointed to the Constitution as their reason for standing outside for hours in near-freezing temperatures. | |
| 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/jVCfFkUbRq | 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/jVCfFkUbRq |
| 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. | 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. |
| Gun-control advocates adopted a highway on the NRA’s doorstep. Others also use Adopt-a-Highway signs to make a point. | Gun-control advocates adopted a highway on the NRA’s doorstep. Others also use Adopt-a-Highway signs to make a point. |
| 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.” |
| A police officer sued a Black Lives Matter protester for violence he didn’t commit. What’s next has free-speech advocates worried. | A police officer sued a Black Lives Matter protester for violence he didn’t commit. What’s next has free-speech advocates worried. |
| This first-grader picked an only-in-Washington birthday: A White House protest | This first-grader picked an only-in-Washington birthday: A White House protest |
| Climate change protest blocks downtown D.C. streets in hours-long demonstration | Climate change protest blocks downtown D.C. streets in hours-long demonstration |
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