Trump feels heat as 7 countries and 44 states march for truth about Russia

The objectives of the protests are straightforward and nonpartisan: establish an independent commission to investigate Trump’s ties to Russia; ensure the independent commission operates with transparency; have Congress compel Trump to release his tax returns; and prosecute any crimes or collusion discovered as a result of the investigation.

Marches took place in 44 states and more than 150 locations across the Unites States and abroad, and interest was so great that the location search function on the organization’s website crashed in response to hundreds of thousands of searches the 48 hours prior to Saturday:

https://twitter.com/KaivanShroff/status/871009502740480000

In New York City, thousands marched to demand truth and accountability, including celebrities like Hamilton’s Javier Muñoz and House of Cards creator Beau Willimon, a Jewish veteran of World War II, expert on authoritarian regimes and author Timothy Snyder, and many elected officials.

Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler condemned Republican members of Congress for “consistently choosing Trump over truth” and asserted, “We will not allow Trump’s lies and Republican obstruction to destroy our democracy.” His Democratic colleague Rep. Nydia Velazquez told the crowd, “Russia underestimated the power of the American people.”

In Washington, DC, crowds braved early showers to gather on the National Mall in front of the Washington Monument and chanted, “Truth, truth, truth!” and formed out the demand “Investigate Trump” with their bodies:

#MarchForTruth! You are AMAZING! pic.twitter.com/LR3bO9VRqS

— jordan (@JordanUhl) June 3, 2017

Investigate Trump!#MarchForTruth pic.twitter.com/8hIhiFoprs

— jordan (@JordanUhl) June 3, 2017

Referring to the pathetically small turnout at the gathering Donald Trump requested his supporters undertake across the street from the White House, former speechwriter for President Barack Obama Jon Lovett joked with the D.C. crowd, “I just came from the White House. The ‘Pittsburgh not Paris‘ people did not come out in the numbers they were hoping for.”

Women’s March co-founder Linda Sarsour rallied the D.C. March for Truth participants in her inimitable style:

https://twitter.com/GutzyLo/status/871043315399090176

We have to ensure that the voices of hate and divisiveness are not louder than the voices of love and solidarity in these United States of America … Now we correct the misinformation that we not allow for the demonization and vilification of any group of people living amongst us here in these United States of America.

While on her way to participate in a march, one woman noticed a relevant billboard in rural Virginia that says “Interstate 95 – Fastest Way to D.C. Moscow.” Interstate 95 is the main north/south highway leading into and out of the nation’s capital:

On the road to #MarchforTruth , I see this in Ladysmith VA pic.twitter.com/rkxNFHcjgn

— Kate (@KateChief) June 2, 2017

Defying the GOP claim that Middle America does not care about Russia, protesters showed up with a figure of Donald Trump in prison stripes made out of real Cheetos and full-size American flags in tow in St. Louis, Missouri:

St Louis #MarchForTruth pic.twitter.com/bVTfm6wYWY

— Sarah Kendzior (@sarahkendzior) June 3, 2017

https://twitter.com/jettloe/status/871025460414734337

During her remarks in St. Louis, author and authoritarian expert Sarah Kendzior reminded those gathered, “The power of lies in an authoritarian regime is to make it big, obvious, and make people feel powerless to do anything about it.”

In the small town of Bloomington, New Jersey, Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell quoted the Bible and told attendees, “Each of us has a responsibility and obligation to do the best we can to preserve these Democratic values we hold so precious … It is the people of this nation that will lead us from this dangerous time.”

.@BillPascrell at #MarchForTruth: "Privately and publicly…many of these Republicans are saying the president should give his tax returns." pic.twitter.com/KrMB3tZnK0

— Nick Muscavage (@nmuscavage) June 3, 2017

The GOP can and likely will continue to claim that most Americans are not concerned about the ties between Trump’s administration and the Russian government.

Nonetheless, in both polls and protests, Americans are making their voices heard and calling this out for the lie that it is. The people of this country will not be silent until we obtain the answers we deserve.