Hundreds of impeachment supporters hold rally outside Rep. Raul Ruiz's office in Palm Desert

Hundreds of impeachment supporters gathered Tuesday in Palm Desert, chanting and holding signs as cars drove by and honked in support.

The rally was held outside the office of Democratic Rep. Raul Ruiz, who said he will vote to impeach President Donald Trump when the U.S. House of Representatives takes up the issue this week.

Impeachment supporters gathered around 4:30 p.m. on the northeast corner of Fred Waring Drive and Washington Street. Protesters chanted, "We want a leader, not a creepy Tweeter!" and "Donald Trump has got to go, hey hey, ho ho!"

Sylvia Carrillo made an "IMPEACH" sign with twinkling lights. She yelled from a megaphone, "When our democracy is in danger, we stand up and fight!" and "Donald Trump is not above the law! Nobody is above the law!"

Cars drove by and honked in support. Others drove by and yelled profanities at the crowd, which shrunk to under 100 by 6 p.m.

"We're out here standing up for our country," Carrillo said. "We're all out here because we believe in what is right."

Other attendees included Joy Silver, who has announced her intention to run in California's 28th State Senate District.

Frances Miller also took part in the rally.

"We have to defend our Constitution and our country," she said. "That’s our job. There’s no other job more important than that."

The impeachment process will continue Wednesday.

The floor debate, which will be only the third time in history that the chamber debates impeachment recommendations from the Judiciary Committee against a president, is expected to be held through Thursday.

Impeachment rules: House Democrats approve rules for debate on articles of impeachment

Ruiz: Democratic Rep. Raul Ruiz says he will vote in favor of impeachment

Previous reporting by USA Today and Desert Sun reporters Taya Gray and Sam Metz was used in this report.

Andrew John covers sports in the Coachella Valley and (sometimes) beyond for The Desert Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com.

Shane Newell covers breaking news and the western Coachella Valley cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs. He can be reached at Shane.Newell@DesertSun.com, (760) 778-4649 or on Twitter at @journoshane.

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