Protesters demand Congress 'impeach and remove' Trump during Indianapolis rally

Elizabeth DePompei | IndyStar

Show Caption Hide Caption Pro-impeachment protesters gather in Indianapolis More than 100 protesters called for the impeachment and removal of President Donald Trump in a rally outside the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, on the eve of the impeachment vote.

At least 100 protesters gathered at the Indiana Statehouse Tuesday night to send President Donald Trump and Congressional lawmakers a message: "nobody is above the law."

The pro-impeachment rally was held the same day a House committee set the rules for governing the floor debate over whether to impeach Trump. The House is expected to debate and vote this week on two articles of impeachment — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The vote could come as early as Wednesday.

The Indianapolis rally was one of hundreds planned across the country, according to Indivisible, a progressive movement founded in 2016 to push back against Trump. Over 90,000 people nationwide RSVP'd for "Impeach and Remove Trump" rallies, including over 900 in Indianapolis. By 6:30 p.m. there were 100 to 150 protesters at the statehouse.

Organizers in Indianapolis periodically led chants of "impeach and remove" and "lock him up." Speakers condemned Trump for what they say are violations of the Constitution.

Dee Thornton, a Democrat running for the 5th Congressional District seat soon to be vacated by Susan Brooks, said that despite Republicans' characterization that Democrats are reveling in the impeachment proceedings, "it's a really a sad time."

The first article of impeachment lodged against Trump is abuse of his office by withholding military aid to Ukraine in exchange for the country investigating former Vice President Joe Biden, a Democratic presidential candidate, and his son, Hunter Biden, who once sat on the board of a Ukrainian energy company.

The second article alleges Trump obstructed Congress' investigation into a phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky by blocking aides from testifying and withholding documents.

Trump sent a six-page letter to House Speak Nancy Pelosi Tuesday, calling the proceedings “spiteful” and “terrible."

With a Democratic majority, the House is expected to vote to impeach. The articles will then head to the Republican-held Senate for a trial.

Bev Staley, Indianapolis, said she wanted to be heard loud and clear.

"I've heard people say, what will you say to your children or your grandchildren when this is all done," she said. "And I want to stand on the strength of the constitution and hope that he's not going to bring our democracy to an end."

Fellow protester Patricia Bowron was less optimistic, acknowledging the Senate likely would acquit Trump.

"I think (Trump's) just going to keep on keepin' on," he said. "Things are just going to keep getting worse because he's going to feel he can do anything he wants to.

"And I think if we see injustice then we have to stand up."

Bruce Russell-Jayne, Carmel, carried a sign dangling from a pole that offered an alternative to impeachment: "Trump Resign!"

"My sign is in hope a few senators will go behind closed doors and talk to him like they did with Nixon," Russell-Jayne said. "And tell him to resign."

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USA TODAY reporters Courtney Subramanian, John Fritze and David Jackson contributed to this story.

Contact IndyStar reporter Elizabeth DePompei at 317-444-6196 or edepompei@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter: @edepompei.