PHOTO GALLERY: Protesters in St. Louis call for Sen. Josh Hawley's resignation
Hundreds of protesters calling for Missouri Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley to resign gathered in front of the Old Courthouse in Downtown St. Louis on Saturday.
The protest was in response to Sen. Hawley's objection to President-elect Joe Biden's electoral college votes based on unfounded claims of voter fraud, which helped incite a Trump-supporting, extremist riot that breached the U.S. Capitol building Wednesday where five people died. A photo of Hawley shows him pumping his fist at protesters gathered outside the Capitol before the siege.
Protesters in Saint Louis held the street in front of the Old Courthouse for around two hours and painted "Resign Hawley" on South Broadway before the rally dispersed. Polaroid photos of the painted street were taken and mailed to the Missouri senator’s home in Virginia.
For some protesters, like teacher Janet Beltz who came with her granddaughter, this was their first time attending a protest. “This is first time I’ve ever done this”, Beltz said, ”This man should be charged with murder. How dare he."
Others in attendance, like Fred Johnson, a member of the Spanish Lake Township Democrats, have been involved with politics for some time. “It was like when I was in Vietnam; they overrode our position. They tried to take over our democracy. This is just the start of what they’re trying to do,” the Vietnam War veteran said.
Shana Blumenthal from St. Louis, right, dances with her daughter Sophia Schmittgens, center, in a soul train line
Shana Blumenthal from St. Louis, right, dances with her daughter Sophia Schmittgens, center, in a soul train line before the end of the Resign Hawley rally Saturday in front of the Old Courthouse in St. Louis. "I want my kids to know that this is not what Missouri is," Blumenthal said about why she was attending the protest with her family.
St. Louis community organizer and artist Maxi Glamour reads a speech they wrote
St. Louis community organizer and artist Maxi Glamour reads a speech they wrote to protesters attending the "Resign Hawley" rally Saturday in front of the Old Courthouse in St. Louis. The protest was organized by the protest group Resist - STL.
Megaphones and a pallet to stand on are placed on the sidewalk for people to speak
Megaphones and a pallet to stand on are placed on the sidewalk for people to speak before the "Resign Hawley" rally started Saturday in Downtown St. Louis. Protesters and organizers spoke in between music while they occupied South Broadway for over two hours.
Fred Johnson, a member of the Spanish Lake Township Democratic Party, holds a sign
Fred Johnson, a member of the Spanish Lake Township Democratic Party, holds a sign on the steps of the Old Courthouse on Saturday in St. Louis. "I'm a Vietnam vet, and we need to stand up for our democracy," Johnson said.
A protester pours paint while another spreads it with a roller in a taped outline that reads "Resign Hawley"
A protester pours paint while another spreads it with a roller in a taped outline that reads "Resign Hawley" on South Broadway in front of the Old Courthouse on Saturday in Downtown St. Louis. Hawley's book deal was canceled by publisher Simon & Schuster on Thursday.
Elijah Foggy, 19, from St. Louis, addresses the crowd gathered during the Resign Hawley rally
Elijah Foggy, 19, of St. Louis addresses the crowd gathered during the Resign Hawley rally Saturday in Downtown St. Louis in front of the Old Courthouse. "The fight isn't over," Foggy said. "This is what America has come to in four years of Trump's presidency. People are willing to put their bodies on the line for this imbecile."
Janet Beltz, center left, and her granddaughter Payton Beltz listen to speakers while holding signs
Janet Beltz, center left, and her granddaughter Payton Beltz listen to speakers while holding signs Saturday in Downtown St. Louis near the Old Courthouse. The Resign Hawley protest was held in response to Hawley's objection to President-elect Joe Biden's electoral college votes based on unfounded claims of voter fraud.
A protester walks between the words "Resign Hawley" painted on South Broadway
A protester walks between the words "Resign Hawley" painted on South Broadway on Saturday in front of the Old Courthouse in Downtown St. Louis. Protesters took Polaroid photos of the mural and sent them to Sen. Hawley's address in Virginia.
