Fairfielders Support Trump Impeachment At Rally

FAIRFIELD, CT — The night before the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump, hundreds gathered on Fairfield's Town Hall Green, holding signs that read, "Impeach Now," "Honk to Impeach" and "Country Before Party."

The Tuesday rally was hosted by Fairfield Standing United in coordination with Indivisible and MoveOn.org as part of a national effort. More than 600 events were held all over the country, including in nearby Stamford, Milford and New Haven.

In Fairfield, about 240 people from across the area came out to support the impeachment. Sharon Pistilli, one of the organizers of Fairfield Standing United and a Democrat Representative Town Meeting member for District 3, said the turnout far exceeded her expectations after cold and icy conditions hit the region earlier Tuesday, causing Fairfield schools to close for the day.

The historic vote split along party lines Wednesday night over a charge that the 45th president abused the power of his office by enlisting a foreign government to investigate a political rival ahead of the 2020 election. The House then approved a second charge, that he obstructed Congress in its investigation.

"In a democratic republic there's nothing more sacred than having control over your own elections," Pistilli said. "... He must be held accountable."

Tuesday's rally was peaceful, she said, although there were a few counter protesters in attendance.

"They have their right to free speech as well," she said. "... Everybody was kind to each other."

The votes for impeachment Wednesday were 230-197-1 on the first charge, 229-198-1 on the second. Trump is the third American chief executive to be formally charged under the Constitution’s ultimate remedy for high crimes and misdemeanors.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declined to say Wednesday when she would send the articles of impeachment to the Republican-led Senate. Until the articles are submitted, the Senate cannot hold the trial that is nearly certain to acquit the president.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.