Demonstrators push for Trump's impeachment in Milwaukee outside Ron Johnson's office on eve of House vote

Sophie Carson | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

On the eve of the U.S. House of Representatives’ floor vote on articles of impeachment, demonstrators gathered Tuesday evening in Milwaukee to advocate for impeaching President Donald Trump and removing him from office.

The rally was one of hundreds across the country organized by MoveOn.org. Demonstrators on the sidewalk outside Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson’s office, 517 E. Wisconsin Ave., filled up most of the city block from North Jefferson to North Jackson streets.

“Nobody is above the law,” read a message projected onto the side of the Northern Trust building across the street.

The crowd of a few hundred erupted in cheers when passing cars honked their horns in solidarity, and at one point the group broke out into chants of “Lock him up!” But in general, the demonstrators were civil — something many wished was the case of the current political climate.

“I think there’s a real threat to our democracy,” said Madeleine Rooney of Milwaukee. “The rule of law, decency, honesty, those kinds of things are all being threatened.”

Speakers at the rally called for Johnson to recuse himself from the upcoming Senate impeachment trial, a hearing set to occur if the House votes in favor of the articles of impeachment. Johnson may be asked to testify about his knowledge of Trump’s call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and the allegation that Trump held up aid to the country in exchange for a political favor.

Johnson has said he would cooperate if asked to testify, and that he would not recuse himself from the trial.

One protester carried a sign that read, “Old enough to remember checks and balances. What about you, Senator?”

Leslie Fillingham of Milwaukee believed it would be a “long shot” for the Senate to vote to remove Trump from office, but she hoped the rally Tuesday night demonstrated the support for impeachment.

“There are an awful lot of people that are in favor of impeachment and that are in favor of upholding the Constitution,” Fillingham said.

A recent Marquette Law Poll found that 40% of registered Wisconsin voters said the president should be impeached and removed while 52% said he should not.

For many voters, the issue of Trump’s call with Zelensky was one of many reasons they believe he’s unfit for the presidency. Paula Gallitz of Milwaukee mentioned the Stormy Daniels controversy, and others brought up his tax returns, treatment of immigrants at the border and outlook on environmental issues.

“There’s so much dirt in this administration. Half of his key advisers are in jail,” Gallitz said. “Come on, now. Let’s talk turkey here —This guy’s been up to no good for a long time.”

Rooney said she grew up in the 1960s and watched social movements transform the world. But now she’s “really worried and disgusted” with the political climate of the last few years, she said.

Still, the rally itself brought some spirit to those who have been following impeachment hearings for the past few weeks. One man brought a plastic vuvuzela horn, and many attendees enthusiastically took photos with an inflatable chicken designed to look like Trump.

Signs protesters carried ranged from straightforward — “Unite Wisconsin, Remove Trump” to creative: “Convict Don the Con” and “Trump, You’re Fired.”

The enthusiasm lightened the day of Liz Heinrich and her friend Julie Schneider of Milwaukee, who were attending their first-ever protest.

“It’s injected me with just a little push I need to keep going,” Heinrich said.

Amy Niesen of Milwaukee held a small, envelope-sized paper: “a tiny sign for a tiny man,” it read. She has repeatedly emailed Johnson to share her opinion on impeachment, she said, but hasn’t heard back. She joined the rally to amplify an important message, she said.

“We’re at a breaking point in our society where we need to stand up for our Constitution and the rule of law,” she said.

Joseph Kraynick, who helped organize the Milwaukee rally, agreed. He said the upcoming Senate trial will likely be a “dog and pony show” and “a total farce” — but he hopes that speaking up at a protest now will catch the attention of legislators.

“We have to get out in front of this,” he said. “We want to hold their feet to the fire so they know that this (trial) has to be the real thing.”

“We’re here basically to shout, to make them understand that if that’s what they do, there will be political consequences,” Kraynick added.

Contact Sophie Carson at (414) 223-5512 or scarson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @SCarson_News.