January 29, 2020 Nearly 50 Impeachment Activists Arrested, Thousands Swarm U.S. Capitol

Protesters Demand Witnesses and Evidence Be Allowed at Senate Impeachment Trial

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PUBLIC CITIZEN * CENTER FOR POPULAR DEMOCRACY * REMOVE TRUMP

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Thousands of activists and concerned Americans from across the country converged on Capitol Hill today to demand the U.S. Senate see all documentary evidence and hear from all potential witnesses in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.

The day began with a large silent protest inside the Hart Senate Office Building, where demonstrators “silently swarmed” in the center atrium to make their presence known and demand a full and fair impeachment trial.

“By overwhelming margins, the American people support the commonsense notion that the U.S. Senate should hear from the fact witnesses who can shed light on President Trump’s utterly implausible claim of innocent intent in withholding aid from Ukraine,” said Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen. “Now it’s on the Senate to refuse complicity in Trump’s attempted cover-up.”

“Every single senator took an oath to render impartial justice in Trump’s removal trial. How dare they block witnesses and documentary evidence from consideration?” said L.A. Kauffman, organizer with Remove Trump. “We will not accept this cover-up.”

“The American people deserve to hear all available witnesses and evidence be presented. We won’t stand for this GOP cover-up!” said Jennifer Epps Addison, co-executive director and network president of the Center for Popular Democracy Action. “Senators must act decisively to protect our country and lean into the political power harnessed by black and brown communities. Together we can demonstrate how powerful our popular democracy can be and how committed we are to protecting it.”

Led by the Rev. Dr. William Barber, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, the group marched to the U.S. Capitol building where the action continued with civil disobedience on the steps outside. More than 40 protesters were arrested before the group moved inside to the Capitol Visitor Center for more silent demonstrations.

“Trump is guilty, and a fair trial with witnesses and documents would make clear that Trump deserves to be removed from office,” said Anthony Torres, political director of By the People. “We already have enough evidence to convict this dangerous president, and every day that he remains in office is another day he tramples our rights, endangers our lives and betrays our country. Our senators can either be complicit in covering up Trump’s crimes or uphold their oath to defend the Constitution and the people.”

More than 30 solidarity events in 19 states took place across the country, focused in states with key Republican senators – including in Maine, Arizona, Alaska, Colorado, Utah, North Carolina and Kentucky.