Tennessee activists join nationwide ‘Impeachment Eve’ rallies ahead of U.S. House vote – Tennessean

Thousands gathered across the country Tuesday evening to voice their support for ongoing impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, including in Middle Tennessee. 

For the third time U.S. history, the House of Representatives will vote on the impeachment of a president after the House Judiciary Committee approved two articles of impeachment against Trump on Friday.

The articles focus on Trump’s alleged abuse of power and obstruction of Congress during the impeachment inquiry.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told lawmakers in a letter Tuesday that they would exercise one of their most solemn powers Wednesday when the chamber votes on the articles.

She said the House needed to act to support and defend the Constitution.

Trump called the upcoming vote “a hoax, a sham. It started a long time ago.”

Tuesday’s mobilization is part of an ongoing grassroots effort, organizers said, and was connected to demonstrations planned in every state. 

“Protesters will demand that the House of Representatives fulfills its constitutional duty by impeaching Donald Trump and that the Senate remove him from office for attempting to rig the 2020 elections. Congress must show that no one—including the criminal in the White House—is above the law,” organizers said. 

More than 100 gathered in front of Nashville’s federal courthouse, while another dozen held a rally on Franklin’s main square. Social media posts show similar numbers to Nashville in Knoxville. 

Thousands more gathered in large cities like New York and Chicago, with further gatherings planned on the West coast as the day continued. 

Past rallies: Anti-Trump protesters gather on Broadway to say ‘nobody is above the law’

This story includes reporting from USA Today.

Reach reporter Mariah Timms at mtimms@tennessean.com or 615-259-8344 and on Twitter @MariahTimms. Reach Emily West at erwest@tennessean.com or 615-613-1380 and on Twitter at @emwest22.

Published 8:03 PM EST Dec 17, 2019