STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Jan Mason hadn’t expected to get out on the snowy icy streets of Hailey in bone chilling cold Tuesday evening.
But she couldn’t not stop when she saw about 20 people bundled up against the cold offering Sun Valley’s token affiliation with the Nobody is Above the Law rallies being held from coast to coast on the eve of the House of Representatives’ vote to impeach President Donald Trump.
“I couldn’t drive by without giving some encouragement,” she said as she gave a thumbs up to the demonstrators. “I do think we need to pursue this course for the integrity of the constitution and democracy.”
The Nobody is Above the Law rallies may have been the best kept secret in America before they began taking place in town squares and along Main Street America. There was little advance notice save on the a few websites. No news media outlets offered stories about the rallies ahead of time.
Still, the stalwart Blaine County demonstrators turned out at the instigation of Ben Schepps and Helen Stone, who can always be counted on to show up for causes they believe in.
And in Boise more than 200 people lined the streets of downtown Boise Tuesday night, toting signs like “Fire the Liar.” Unlike Hailey, they were joined by a few Trump supporters.
Jason and Leslie Vontver’s German shepherd mix Shep was among those who turned out, and the dog seemed quite engaged, even though she normally doesn’t like crowds.
“She thinks Congress should do the right thing—it’s important that Presidents adhere to what they can and cannot do,” said Leslie Vontver.
The web page used in organizing the demonstration said the rallies were being held to defend the Constitution and that Trump had left no alternative but to support impeachment and removal after engaging in a pattern of abused power. Trump also obstructed Congress by not releasing documents and not allowing witnesses to testify before the House Judiciary and House Intelligence committees, the web page said.
Even a Fox News poll released on Tuesday declared that 50 percent of Americans favored impeachment and removal, with 41 percent against.
The Hailey protestors held such signs as “Impeach with Conviction” and “Obstruction is a High Crime.” They seemed bolstered by the frequent honks from motorists in the going home crowd.
Jason Vontver held up a sign with the letters “Im” followed by a picture of a peach.
Helen Stone held up a sign that said, “Don’t Barr the truth,” a pun on the Attorney General.
“We’re making a stand for democracy,” she said.
Sharon Williams held a sign, “It’s important that people know what you stand for and what you won’t.”
“We need accountability,” she said. “You can’t ask a foreign nation to help you win an election. That’s crazy.”
Even though the House voted to impeach the President, it is expected the Republican-controlled Senate will acquit Trump, allowing him to finish his term and run for another.