Hundreds of protesters came out in Salem as part of a nationwide protest Thursday night, fighting back against President Donald Trump firing Attorney General Jeff Sessions. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
Hundreds took to Salem streets Thursday evening as part of a nationwide protest showing support of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into President Donald Trump’s ties to Russia.
Protesters concentrated on the southeast corner of Commercial and Marion streets holding signs condemning Trump and advocating for the protection and independence of Mueller.
Hundreds protested Thursday in Salem as part of a nationwide protest fighting back against the perceived interference in the Russia investigation by President Donald Trump. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
The protest spilled onto the other corners of the intersection, as well as the northeast and southeast corners of Commercial and Center streets a block south. The group covered all generations, though skewed heavily to the 50-and-over crowd who had seen powerful movements in the ‘60s and ‘70s.
“I had to come and support our democracy,” said 75-year-old Shirley Morehouse of Monmouth. “The president is not above the law.”
Shirley Morehouse participated in her second-ever political rally Thursday evening because she believes President Donald Trump is interfering with an investigation into his relationship with Russia. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
The movement was spurred by Trump requesting the resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions Wednesday afternoon, following the mid-term elections. The move sparked outrage throughout the nation as many saw it as a direct attack on Mueller’s investigation. Protests in cities across the country were organized for 5 p.m. Thursday.
“My dad fought Nazism and fascism in World War II,” Mary Michael, 58, said. “I never thought we would have to fight the same battle here in America.”
Michael, of Salem, hadn’t joined a political movement in protest since protesting then-President Richard Nixon in the 1970s.
“I never thought I’d have to do it again, but here we are,” she said.
President Trump’s perceived interference with the Russia investigation brought Mary Michael to a protest for the first time since she protested Richard Nixon in the 1970s. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
Sessions had been on the hot seat for a year and a half for recusing himself from overseeing any investigation involving the Trump campaign.
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Sessions said he had no contact with the Russian government in his role in the Trump campaign. Sessions was the first U.S. senator to endorse Trump, and he quickly became a foreign policy advisor to the presidential hopeful.
However, after reports surfaced that Sessions had contact with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak, he recused himself from overseeing an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
Sessions was replaced his own chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker. Whitaker had once suggested the attorney general could undercut Mueller’s investigating by pulling funding from the team.
Hundreds protested Thursday in Salem as part of a nationwide protest fighting back against the perceived interference in the Russia investigation by President Donald Trump. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
The protests across the nation were organized by MoveOn, a platform used to mobilize protesters quickly in response to political decisions.
Locally, the protest was organized by Pam McCollum and Drew Astolfi.
“I think everyone is kind of nervous about what’s happening,” Astolfi said. “Trump’s reaction post-election was so fast.”
As the sun set, dozens and dozens of additional protesters joined. Cars whizzed by, honking in solidarity. Salem police officers stood in the background, but said they had no concern over the protest and were just there to make sure everyone was safe and stayed out of the road.
Hundreds protested Thursday in Salem as part of a nationwide protest fighting back against the perceived interference in the Russia investigation by President Donald Trump. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
Dave and Kathy Christenson came down from Woodburn. The two got involved in protests the morning after Trump was elected president. On Thursday, they felt Trump’s latest move was an obstruction of justice.
“Voting just isn’t enough anymore,” Dave Christenson said.
Kathy and Dave Christenson came from Woodburn to join in the protest. They started protesting the morning after Donald Trump was elected president. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
Reporter Aubrey Wieber: [email protected] or 503-575-1251
