Protesters gathered in cities throughout Alabama Thursday night to demand support for special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference with the 2016 presidential election.

Around 275 people showed up to demonstrate in front of the Vance Federal Building on Fifth Avenue North in Birmingham.

“When you see this type of turnout in Birmingham, Alabama, I think it shows that people are very anxious and concerned about the chaos that is happening at the top levels of government,” said Carole Griffin with Birmingham Indivisible, who called the gathering the act of concerned Americans of all political affiliations.

She said Jeff Sessions’ recusal from the Russia investigation due to his conflict of interest was the right thing to do. She added that Trump’s offense at Sessions’ recusal is concerning to her and many others who gathered Thursday.

“That that has been seen as a concern for everyone across the political spectrum,” Griffin said. “I do believe this is very different than anything else that’s happened. It’s a very grave and serious moment for our democracy.”

Protesters chanted “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!” repeatedly at different moments throughout the demonstration.

Former Birmingham neighborhood president John Carrol Meehan said those in power in Washington D.C. should be held to the law just like Birmingham residents are.

“We see what’s going on,” he said. “If you rob a store, you’re going to jail.”

“Why would Trump want to fire Jeff Sessions? It must be something Mueller is doing,” Meehan continued. He said he’s working to draw up a resolution with leaders from Birmingham’s 99 neighborhoods in support of the Mueller investigation.

Shea Rives, also of Birmingham Indivisible, charged protesters to call their senators and legislators and ask them to protect the Mueller investigation.

Huntsville protest d still going after 30 minutes with no one leaving and enthusiasm not waning. https://t.co/P93HMf99Sf — Paul Gattis (@paul_gattis) November 8, 2018

Huntsville

About 100 people when rally started at 5 p.m. but crowd swelled and estimations were revised to at least 150 people.

Protest took place on sidewalk outside building where U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks has his Huntsville office at 2101 Clinton Avenue downtown.

At least a dozen different people spoke at the rally, taking turns with a megaphone to make statements or lead cheers.

The event lasted an hour and never saw a dip in enthusiasm and few if any people left. And when the event was ended, people still milled around as if in no hurry to leave despite the cool temperatures and occasional drizzle.

Two main points emphasized at the rally: That acting AG Matthew Whitaker should recuse himself from the Russia investigation and that Congress should protect the investigation and Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

Crowd had some interesting chants.

“Robert Mueller, he’s our man

He’s gonna put Trump in the can”

“We need a leader

Not a creepy tweeter”

Where’s Mo Brooks?

Hiding!

Where’s Mo Brooks?

Hiding!

Brooks’ office phone number was announced to the crowd, which was encouraged to call him in support of the Mueller investigation.

“This is a long battle we’re in,” organizer David Odom told the crowd at the rally. “This is just one small step.”

At another point, Odom praised the crowd. “This is what it takes, showing up.”

Crowd was encouraged not to let the fact that they live in dark red Alabama deter them from being heard.

There was also emphasis on signing a clipboard being passed around for organizational purposes.

“There is power in numbers,” Odom told the crowd.

“If Trump keeps pushing and nobody pushes back, things get pretty scary quickly,” Odom told the crowd.

Florence

Around 80 people organized in front of the post office in downtown Florence Thursday night.

Organizers Benjamin Newbern and Marilyn Lee of Northwest Alabama Indivisible said they were impressed with the turnout, considering the short amount of time they had to plan.

“It is a constitutional crisis now,” Lee told AL.com over the phone. “We organized to let the president know it’s not right what he’s doing and that putting Whitaker in is illegal and immoral. It’s so clear he’s [Trump] guilty of something or his family is guilty of something because he doesn’t want to be investigated. We want to hold him accountable.”

Organizers said people came and went throughout the night.

“Impressed and enthused by local folks coming together--especially on late notice--to do their civic duty,” Newbern said.

According to MoveOn, other rallies were held in Auburn, Tuscaloosa and Fairhope. Hundreds of other demonstrations and protests were held across the country.