Thousands of people rallied in the cold at Portland’s Tom McCall Waterfront Park Tuesday evening where demonstrators showed support for the impeachment and removal of President Trump.
The protest joined over 600 throughout the country, in a chain of "Nobody Is Above the Law" rallies on the eve of a final vote from the U.S. House of Representatives.
Thousands of people protested in the cold at the north end of Tom McCall Waterfront Park, chanting for the impeachment and removal of President Trump on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, in Portland, Ore.
Donald Orr / OPB
Smitha Chadaga, who helped organize the "PDX Impeach and Remove" protest with Indivisible Oregon, said it’s a pivotal time for Americans to speak up for their country.
“We are in a constitutional crisis, and people are gathering around the country to say that this is not OK,” Chadaga said.
Along with many protesters, Chadaga said she hopes that these rallies will send a message to Congress.
“No one is above the law, and this president must be held accountable and be impeached and removed.”
People young and old gathered at the north end of the park, with several children helping their parents hold signs saying things such as “Impeach and Remove” and “No One Is Above the Law.” Demonstrators were in good spirits expressing their frustrations toward the president, albeit celebrating the severest penalty against an American leader.
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote Wednesday to bring two articles of impeachment against Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Following a successful vote, Trump would be the third U.S. president in history to be impeached by the House. The following Senate trial for his removal from office would likely take place early next year.
As protesters lined up along Portland's Naito Parkway with signs that said, “Honk to Impeach,” many drivers blared supportive horn blasts that echoed into the frigid streets.
Protesters held up signs along the north end of Tom McCall Waterfront Park, bringing supportive honks from drivers on Naito Parkway on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, in Portland, Ore.
Donald Orr / OPB
“There’s hope in the horns — it’s enthusiastic, and hopefully effective,” said Vallie Gilham, who was among the demonstrators.
Many speakers talked through their frustrations with the president, including Portland Rev. Chuck Currie. He affirmed that not all people of faith vote within party lines.
“If you believe that all people of faith support Donald Trump, you could be excused,” he said. “In truth, over 100 Christian leaders endorsed the impeachment process.”
While organizers struggled with faulty sound equipment, chants easily erupted through the crowds, yelling in solidarity to impeach and remove President Trump.