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PHOTOS: Hundreds In San Antonio Rally For Trump's Impeachment Ahead Of House Vote

A few hundred people turned out for a rally at the San Antonio federal building on East César E. Chávez Boulevard on Tuesday afternoon to call for the impeachment and removal of President Donald Trump. 

Groups that backed the rally include Move On, Progressive Democrats of America, the Sierra Club and the National Organization for Women. 

The mobilization is part of a massive, grassroots effort to ensure Congress holds President Trump accountable for using military aid to pressure Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 elections, according to a news release from organizers. Those who attended said Congress needs to show the nation that no one is above the law, including the president. 

"President Trump has used the presidency for his own benefit in a lot of ways and he appears to think he is above law," Dale Hollrach said.

Another rally-goer said there is more at stake if Trump is allowed to remain in office.

Rosie Torres of the Society of Native Nations attended a rally  outside the federal building in San Antonio the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.
Credit Beth Devillier for TPR
Rosie Torres of the Society of Native Nations attended a rally outside the federal building in San Antonio the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.

"I am seriously worried about democracy the longer he stays in office," Gary Keith said.

The group gathered in front of the federal building for a few speeches that attacked the president's record on immigration, women's rights and for dividing the nation along racial lines.

Several chants were heard, including "Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, Donald Trump has got to go.” They also carried anti-Trump signs including one that read "Impeach the Peach."

The crowd then departed for a march that passed through Alamo Plaza before ending at the old federal building on East Houston Street, where a few more speeches were made before the crowd dispersed.

Around a half dozen Trump supporters, some wearing "Make America Great Again," clothing, showed up with signs to show support for the president. The rally and march were largely peaceful outside the exchange of some tense words and profanities.

A large police escort led and followed the march.

An aide to Democratic Congressman Lloyd Doggett read a statement of support saying he could not be there himself because he would be at the U.S. House to cast a ballot for impeachment against the president on Wednesday. 

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called the House investigation rushed and sloppy.

“The House made a partisan political decision to impeach,” McConnell said on Tuesday. “I would anticipate we will have a largely partisan outcome in the Senate. I’m not impartial about this at all.”

The Republican-controlled Senate could set rules and vote to dismiss the charges with a simple majority vote. If that doesn’t happen, the Senate trial will move forward and eventually end with a two-thirds majority vote to either remove the president from office or acquit him.

Brian Kirkpatrick can be reached at Brian@TPR.org and on Twitter at @TPRBrian.

Copyright 2020 Texas Public Radio. To see more, visit Texas Public Radio.

Two rally-goers hold signs outside the federal building in San Antonio the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.
Beth Devillier for TPR /
Two rally-goers hold signs outside the federal building in San Antonio the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.

"Oso" aka Victor Antu of the Autonomous Chapter of the Brown Berets was at the rally in San Antonio with other members and a first aid kit.
Beth Devillier for TPR /
"Oso" aka Victor Antu of the Autonomous Chapter of the Brown Berets was at the rally in San Antonio with other members and a first aid kit.

A group of rally-goers hold signs outside the federal building in San Antonio the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.
Beth Devillier for TPR /
A group of rally-goers hold signs outside the federal building in San Antonio the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.

Sister Eliza addressed a crowd at the rally in San Antonio held the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.
Beth Devillier for TPR /
Sister Eliza addressed a crowd at the rally in San Antonio held the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.

Rosie Torres of the Society of Native Nations attended a rally  outside the federal building in San Antonio the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.
Beth Devillier for TPR /
Rosie Torres of the Society of Native Nations attended a rally outside the federal building in San Antonio the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.

A couple talked to Todd Williams about his sign at a rally in San Antonio the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.
Beth Devillier for TPR /
A couple talked to Todd Williams about his sign at a rally in San Antonio the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.

Rally-goers marched in downtown San Antonio  the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.
Beth Devillier for TPR /
Rally-goers marched in downtown San Antonio the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.

Rally-goers marched in downtown San Antonio  the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.
Beth Devillier for TPR /
Rally-goers marched in downtown San Antonio the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.

Rally-goers marched in downtown San Antonio the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.
Beth Devillier for TPR /
Rally-goers marched in downtown San Antonio the day before the U.S. House votes on President Trump's impeachment.

Brian Kirkpatrick has been a journalist in Texas most of his life, covering San Antonio news since 1993, including the deadly October 1998 flooding, the arrival of the Toyota plant in 2003, and the base closure and realignments in 2005.