YPSILANTI -- A crowd of about 75 Democrats gathered in Ypsilanti on Wednesday night to protest the Senate vote that found President Donald Trump not guilty on both articles of impeachment.
The event was planned just four days ago in anticipation of acquittal, organizers said.
“This is a vigil for democracy,” said Margaret Schankler, a Democratic Party volunteer. “We wanted to create a space for people to feel solidarity, to feel that they can shout and to get re-energized because we’ve got to start fighting again tomorrow.”
Ralliers outside the offices of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party held signs that read “Democracy Dies in Darkness” and “A Republic If You Can Keep It." Passersby were interacting with protesters by blowing their car horns.
“I’m here to protest what is happening by the Senators in Washington because what they’re doing isn’t fair,” said protester Falguni Shah. “The checks and balances which my kids are learning about in school don’t seem to be there anymore. That’s why I am here.”
Over 75 people gathered outside of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party office on Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti to protest the Wednesday, Feb. 5 Senate decision finding President Donald Trump not guilty after impeachment.
Schankler believes Republicans in the Senate made their decisions before the trial started.
“That’s not a trial. That’s not justice,” she said.
Trump was acquitted Wednesday, Feb. 5 after only the third presidential trial in U.S. history.
The vote on the first article of impeachment, abuse of power, was 52-48 favoring acquittal. The vote for a not guilty verdict on the second, obstruction of Congress, was 53-47. U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah was the only Republican to break with the GOP, voting to convict on the first charge and to acquit on the second.
The president announced via Twitter plans to make a public statement Thursday at noon.