In icy rain, hundreds rally for impeachment

PROVIDENCE — One 75-year-old woman came alone to the “Impeach and Remove Rally” at the State House Tuesday night even though the rain and cold made for treacherous walking on the icy brick and marble outside the Smith Street entrance.

“My father is buried at Pearl Harbor Memorial Cemetery, along with my mother,” said Judy Donnelly of Bristol, “and they’re turning over in their graves.

“I’m here for them, and I’m here for my children,” she said. “It’s not easy today.”

Across the United States, rallies were planned for 5:30 p.m. on the eve of a vote expected Wednesday in the House of Representatives to charge President Donald Trump with two articles of impeachment. The Senate, with a Republican majority, is not expected to convict him.

So why rally in a freezing rain for an impeachment that will not be upheld?

“It’s important for us to recognize that he was elected to the presidency with the help of Putin,” Donnelly said. The Russian president may be having regrets “at the chaos he’s caused,” and he may reveal what he’s got on Trump, she said.

The event’s organizer, Lauren Pothier, 24, of Providence, told an estimated 250 to 300 people that they stood with about 200,000 others in rallies across the country. She said later that although 650 people online expressed an interest in attending the Providence event, the eventual turnout in harsh weather surpassed her expectations.

Young parents Lyle and Andrew Begin of Cranston said they wanted their 18-month-old daughter, Quincy, to witness history. She was hanging, apparently asleep, in a backpack designed to carry a small child, protected from the rain by her mother’s umbrella. Her father carried a hand-lettered sign that said, “Show up for Democracy.” He pointed out scribbles made with a fat red marker, saying Quincy had helped.

“Regardless of what happens,” he said. “I don’t want to look back and say I sent some tweets. I want to look back and say I showed up.”

— dnaylor@providencejournal.com

(401) 277-7411

On Twitter: @donita22

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