At least a couple hundred people demonstrated in support of President Donald Trump’s impeachment and removal from office at a rally held outside the Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse Tuesday evening.
The local demonstration came as part of a nationwide “Nobody is Above the Law” event, which was scheduled to take place the day before the House of Representatives was anticipated to vote on articles of impeachment Wednesday. The event website listed more than 600 demonstrations across the country. Trump finds himself the subject of an impeachment inquiry because of accusations he pressured Ukraine to investigate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son for political gain.
At least a few demonstrators felt it was unlikely the GOP-controlled Senate will actually act to remove Trump from office. Still, they felt it was important to make their support known in order to make a moral stand.
“We have to do the right thing,” said Heather Meaney-Allen, a local Indivisible member who organized the local event, which she said 350 people had signed up for. “Our Constitution is being trampled upon.”
The House will weigh two articles of impeachment: the first charges the president with abuse of power for pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rival, the second charges the president with obstruction of Congress because the White House blocked officials from testifying and declined to provide documents sought in the inquiry. Should the House vote to approve the articles, the Senate would then hold a trial and weigh whether to remove the president from office.
Even before the event began, people arrived and took position outside the courthouse on Monticello Avenue. Holding up signs in support of impeachment, they chanted slogans like “dump Trump.” A few passing cars honked in support.
The nighttime rally was Cindy Touhsaent first time demonstrating. She said it was vital for people to be willing to fight for what they believe in.
“It’s important to take a stand,” she said.
Bruce Waymack, in contrast, has been active in protests since the Clinton administration. He called Trump’s actions a crisis of government and a moral crisis.
The impeachment of Trump is critical for the future of the country, Pamela Jones said. She added that the issue shouldn’t be partisan, and that people should be mindful of how future generations look back on the coming days.
“Impeachment needs to happen. It’s not about party,” Jones said. “Our children are watching.”
Jack Jacobs, 757-298-6007, jojacobs@vagazette.com, @jajacobs_
