Oakland Protesters Insist Senate Trial Was a Cover-Up, Not an Exoneration

Photos: Bob Shonkoff, Pro Bono Photo. Please credit the photographer.

The Senate voted largely along party lines to acquit President Donald Trump on February 5th, an outcome that was not unexpected. Thousands of people had already planned to take part in demonstrations at more than 300 locations across the U.S. that very night. At the protest in Oakland, CA, demonstrators gathered in front of the Grand Lake Theater where they condemned Republican senators for turning what was supposed to be a trial into a cover-up.

The Trump campaign issued a statement after the Senate vote, saying the president had been "totally vindicated."

However, said Oakland protesters, the Senate did not find Trump without fault or wrongdoing, and a majority clearly believed he did commit wrongdoing. Their signs signaled the utter anger of demonstrators. "Lying Liars," read one, while another said simply "RIP GOP." Some were humorous such as the one that read "I'm not a sign making guy but FUCK THIS." Another sign summed up group sentiment with the statement "A Cover-up is not Exoneration."