On the eve of the U.S. House of Representatives’ historic votes on two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, 200 activists, if not more, gathered outside the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg to call on Congress to remember “nobody is above the law.”
Seemingly unfazed by the frigid temperatures as they stood by the lighted evergreen on the steps, the chants of “Lock Him Up” grew loud and speeches passionate as speakers one by one urged members of Congress to cast votes to impeach and remove Trump from office.
“We have to do this,” said Anna Drallios, one of the Harrisburg rally’s organizers. “Otherwise, our democracy is in jeopardy.”
She urged those in attendance to sign a petition being circulated through the crowd calling on U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, the GOP congressman representing southcentral Pennsylvania counties, to “do the right thing and work for democracy."
Their voices were joined by those at similar rallies held on Tuesday in more than 550 cities in all 50 states and Washington, D.C to demonstrate their support for impeaching Trump on charges of abusing his power and obstruction of Congress and removing him from office for trying to interfere in the 2020 presidential election.
The House, which Democrats have a majority of seats, is expected to hold the impeachment vote on Wednesday after weeks of committee examination into whether he used his office to pressure Ukraine to investigate his political rival by withholding military aid to a U.S. ally.
Trump supporters, however, argue the evidence that the committees heard isn’t there to back up those charges. In a tweet, Trump assailed the Democratic-led proceedings in the House a “Witch Hunt!” by “Do Nothing Democrats."
The Senate, where Republicans are in control, will likely acquit Trump in a trial that will follow the House’s anticipated impeachment of him.
Freshman state Sen. Katie Muth, R-Montgomery County, was among those who spoke at the Harrisburg rally, commending the crowd for coming out on a cold evening to send a clear message to lawmakers in Harrisburg and in Washington, D.C.
“We the people are done with this. We are done with the pay to play. We are done with the corruption. We’re done with government that gives favors to friends and special interests. And we are ready for a government that is truly people powered,” she said.
Rabbi MIchael Pollack of March on Harrisburg riled the crowd up by telling a story that compared Trump to a snake and urging them to fight indifference toward others. Former congressional candidate Shavonnia Corbin-Johnson reminded the crowd of controversial statements Trump made about Mexicans, women and others. She urged them to contact their U.S. senators and congressmen and deliver the message that was the focus of this anti-Trump rally: “Impeach Donald Trump.”
Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy.
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