‘Impeach Trump’ rally in downtown Portland draws small crowd

A rally calling on Congress to launch an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump drew about 200 protesters Saturday to Terry Schrunk Plaza in downtown Portland.

U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, who represents Portland in Congress, spoke at the rally across from City Hall. He said the Mueller Report did not exonerate Trump and an impeachment inquiry will give people the information they want and deserve.

“There is no issue more critical than the accountability of this administration and this president for their actions," Blumenauer said.

The protest was one of more than a hundred “#ImpeachTrump” rallies taking place across the country Saturday. In Oregon alone, rallies were planned in Portland, Bend, Astoria, Eugene and several other cities, and across the Columbia River in Vancouver.

Supporters of Trump had been expected to counter-protest at the rally, as the right-wing group Patriot Prayer posted a link to the event on its Facebook page Thursday calling on supporters to show up at the pro-impeachment rallies.

However, no counter-protesters were in sight at the rally by the time the majority of the protesters left around noon. Police presence remained light and the protest was peaceful.

Al Christians, a protester at the rally, said he thinks Trump hasn’t followed the law and an impeachment inquiry against him would work as a check on his presidency.

Christians, who is retired, said he senses that attendance has been trending downward at rallies like Saturday’s. He said since he retired two years ago, he feels that he can’t miss them.

Most of the protesters in attendance were older than 50. The protest began with a sing-along of the protest song “We Shall Not Be Moved.” However, the singer began switching out some of the words.

“He who shall be nameless, he shall be removed,” the protesters sang.

Cars honked at protesters holding signs on the corner of Southwest Third Avenue and Madison Street. One TriMet bus driver flashed a peace sign as he drove by.

After Blumenauer spoke, speakers from Indivisible Oregon, an advocacy group working to “resist the Trump agenda,” and Unite Oregon, a non-profit and “intercultural movement for justice,” addressed the crowd.

Kayse Jama, director of Unite Oregon said a call to action was needed to set democracy back on track.

He said he grew up under a dictatorship in Somalia, so he recognizes one when he sees it.

“No more,” Jama said.

-- Peter Talbot

ptalbot@oregonian.com

503-221-5772; @petejtalbot

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