Indivisible Santa Barbara put on its own version of MoveOn.org‘s national call for “impeach Trump” rallies on Saturday, June 15, with a noon event at De la Guerra Plaza that was more a public information fest. About 118 people — plus a few kids and dogs — were at the plaza outside City Hall to hear several speakers explain the steps necessary in an impeachment inquiry and the immigration crisis caused by ill-conceived federal policies. Ian Price, an attorney who decided to come out of retirement to work on the growing tide of immigration issues, spoke of how impeachment didn’t necessarily lead to a president’s removal from office. The inquiry would be held in the House, he told the crowd; upon passage of the articles of impeachment — or the charges against the president — a trial would be held in the Senate, which would decide the outcome.
Other speakers explained their gradual awakening to the possible crimes occurring in the White House, the need for public participation in the political landscape and how to get involved, and the issue of immigration from the perspective of the Santa Barbara County Immigrant Legal Defense Center. Judging by the signs present, the rallying Santa Barbarans were thoroughly in favor of removing the commander-in-chief from office and hadn’t lost their sense of humor.
