Residents Rally Against Trump, Lipinski Will Vote Yes To Impeach

CHICAGO, IL — Hundreds of protesters mobilized at quickly organized rallies across the Chicago area ahead of a House of Representatives vote to impeach President Donald Trump. Southsiders for Peace drew about 60 area residents at the corner of 103rd Street and Western Avenue in Beverly staking out the four corners of the intersection to passers-by honking their horns in a show of support and others who screamed at the protesters out of open car windows to get a job.

The grass-roots social justice group based out of Beverly Unitarian Church has become to go-to group for organizing vigils and rallies in response to mass shootings, racist incidents in the neighborhood and ICE raids. Southsiders for Peace was one of over 600 “Nobody Is Above the Law” events planned nationwide. For some neighborhood residents, it was their first time showing up at such an event to voice their displeasure with the 45th President of the United States.

“Human decency is my biggest concern, leadership, personal integrity,” a woman told Patch. “I feel like a more information could have come to light [in the House impeachment hearings] if there had been more cooperation from the White House.”

Another man who toted a grocery cart with an American flag emblazoned with the image of a Native American, an effigy figure of President Trump in an orange jumpsuit and signs.

“My dad was a Marine raider in World War II. He fought against fascism,” the man said, pointing to a patch on his t-shirt slipped over a coat. “Since Trump got elected we’re getting closer to fascism. It’s like he fought for nothing.”

U.S. House members are expected to vote on articles of impeachment Wednesday, after more debate. Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) announced that he would be voting yes to impeachment of the president.

Lipinski released a written statement explaining that he would be voting in favor of impeachment, but voiced concerns that House Democrats rushing to impeach the president now could hand President Trump a victory in November 2020.

"I’ve always strived to vote in the best interest of my constituents & the country, which is why I sometimes deviate from the party line. Unlike others who called for impeachment as soon as President Trump was elected, I did not. But the Ukraine matter required an impeachment inquiry.

I would prefer we get direct evidence, but President Trump blocked that effort & Speaker Pelosi won't wait. Since I must vote now, I will vote yes because with reasonable inference there's evidence that the president abused his power in the Ukraine matter. The House acts as a grand jury; we only need probable cause to send to the Senate for trial.

Some claim impeachment without removal is punishment, but the expected Senate outcome would give the president the opportunity to claim complete vindication. This will not constrain his actions and may embolden him. It may further weaken Congress. November 2020, President Trump may be re-elected.”

The evidence gathered in the impeachment inquiry indicated that President Trump should be rebuked for his actions on Ukraine, so I voted yes. The inquiry has been validated. But those who pushed House Democrats to move impeachment right now may have handed President Trump a major victory."