Austin Activists Call For Protection Of Russia Collusion Probe

toAUSTIN, TEXAS — Some 200 demonstrators descended to City Hall on Thursday in calling for preservation of federal probe into Russian collusion in the 2016 presidential election in light of recent developments.

The protest was one of several that took place across the country, including larger demonstrations in Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and other cities.

The mass protests came a day after Donald Trump fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions, replacing him in the interim with Matthew Whitaker — a vocal critic of the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into alleged Russian collusion. To many, the appointment signals an effort by Trump to limit the special counsel's ongoing investigation or squelch it altogether.

Trump had long been displeased with Sessions after the former AG recused himself from matters related to the Russia probe. Sessions recused himself after revelations he had met with Russians prior to confirmation hearing, incidents he failed to disclose during testimony prior to his appointment.

Dubbed "Nobody is Above the Law," like its sister rallies, the local gathering drew a spirited crowd of residents outside City Hall, where they listened to an impassioned speeches by Austin City Council member Jimmy Flannigan, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett and others calling for the need to preserve the integrity of Mueller's investigation. The councilman helped organize the event that took place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., along with members of the Travis County Democrats and March for Truth, a national grassroots protest group.

Demonstrators lined the sidewalk fronting City Hall, carrying signs and American flags

“The national organizers of March for Truth have decided that the newly appointed replacement for fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions is likely to interfere with the ongoing Trump-Russia investigation,” read a statement from Flannigan’s office issued Thursday morning. “As the nation speculates on the potential firing of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, activists across the country are gearing up for a nationwide response. And Austin is doing its part.”

Dark, cloudy skies threatening rain and a chill in the air did nothing to damper demonstrators' passions as they reacted to speakers' comments. After the formal presentation, several protesters lined the sidewalk along the street fronting City Hall. Carrying flags and homemade signs, demonstrators were met with approving honks from passing motorists.

One young man, Phillip, attending the rally said he was prompted to show up, sign in hand, because of the importance he places on the outcome of an unfettered Mueller investigation. Even if the findings determine no culpability related to collusion for Trump himself, he said it was important to let the special counsel continue his work.

"I think its imp that no matter what you thing abut what he's actually doing that we let Mueller conclude his investigation to whenever he wants to do that," he said. "He served as FBI director for a decade, I think , and he never showed any partiality in that. This is a guy who's not in it for partisanship, he's not in it for or political gain. He's somebody who's there there for the investigation. I think that's somebody that we need to have conclude the investigaion when he thinks it's concluded, and not because some interim AG decides to slash his budget to nothing, basically forcing him to stop when he's not done."

Another young demonstrator, identifying himself as D.J., echoed similar sentiments. He said his presence at the rally was to voice the idea that nobody — not even the president —is above the law, and the Mueller probe should be allowed to continue in unfettered fashion without outside influence. He noted his presence marked his first participation in a political rally, but he felt the issue was too important not to voice his displeasure.

D.J. said this was his first demonstration, viewing the issue far too important to just stay home.

"What prompted me to come out was the fact Sessions was very clearly asked to resign becasue he was recused from the Meueller investigation," he said. "So now Trump is trying to install a crony...to effectively neuter the Mueller probe."

“The national organizers of March for Truth have decided that the newly appointed replacement for fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions is likely to interfere with the ongoing Trump-Russia investigation,” read a statement from Flannigan’s office issued Thursday morning. “As the nation speculates on the potential firing of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, activists across the country are gearing up for a nationwide response. And Austin is doing its part.”

Demonstrators line sidewalk fronting City Hall, getting honks of approval from passing drivers.

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>>> Photos, video by Tony Cantú/Patch staff