Protesters in D.C. joined about 140 other cities in the U.S. to demand a transparent and independent investigation into possible collusion between associates of President Donald Trump and the Russian government to influence last year’s presidential election.
The “March for Truth,” held in response to the ongoing investigation into the actions of both Trump and members of his administration, called for an independent commission to be established to look into current political ties with Russia.
“We will rise together to call for a fair and impartial investigation, for the pursuit of truth and for the restoration of faith in our electoral system and the Office of the Presidency,” the march’s organizers said on the event’s website.
Attendees of the march held up signs with slogans like “Trump for Prison 2017,” “Tweets do not equal truth,” and “Nasty men and women won’t quit until Trump does.” Demonstrators chanted “Make America great, let’s investigate,” and “This many incidents can’t be a coincidence.”
At the end of the rally attendees assembled to form the words “Investigate Trump” on the National Mall.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., gave a short speech in front of the Washington Monument saying that truth and transparency were one of the most important aspects of democracy, attributes that he said have been missing from the Trump administration.
“Today we stand in the shadow of a monument dedicated to a president who could not tell a lie, but we also stand just four blocks away from the Trump Hotel, a monument to a president who can’t tell the truth,” he said. “This is the people’s government and we have the right to know all the facts.”
Raskin echoed other speakers in expressing concerns that Trump and many of his advisors, may have relationships with Russian officials that could undermine American democracy and negatively affect citizens. He cited political adviser Roger Stone, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and former Campaign Manager Paul Manafort as examples of officials with ties to both Russia and Trump’s presidency.
“We don’t have anything close to the truth, but we know that Trump has a staff infection and that it’s spreading every day,” he said. “This administration is not only engaged in the obstruction of justice, but the destruction of justice.”
The event also highlighted recent political discord over Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.
Terry O’Neil, president of the National Organization for Women, said measures like voter ID laws that have been passed in several GOP-controlled states around the country also undermine democracy by attempting to remove some minority groups from the electorate.
“They know that their policies are so unpopular that the only way to win elections is to cheat,” she said. “They can’t carry out massive deportations of our immigrant brothers and sisters unless they cheat and they can’t defund women’s health care unless they cheat.”
Jimmy Dahman, founder of the Town Hall Project, a progressive program that encourages activists to attend town halls with their elected representatives, said that being an activist in local government can be a way to promote change when the federal government doesn’t listen to demonstrators. He said recent protests opposing Trump and his administration’s polices have already made many more involved in political affairs and activism.
“People are showing up to their town halls, making phone calls, writing letters,” he said. “Showing up and telling your member of Congress how you feel can make a difference.”
Linda Sarsour, an organizer of January’s Women’s March, said an independent commission to investigate the Trump administration was the first step in creating change and reforming the government.
“I want us all to be remembered 100 years from now as people who used their voice to make a truly great nation,” Sarsour said. “Keep your voices loud and your feet on these streets.”
