By Lillian Foreman

The impeachment hearings are some of the most crucial political events of our time and, for that matter, of the future. They may well help to remove Trump from power or make him a fascist dictator. The outcome is not written in stone, especially if a mass movement from below seizes the moment and demands the Trump regime get #OutNow, but if Trump isn’t found guilty and removed from office, he will be shown to be above the law.

Unfortunately, his Republican party has a great deal of power in controlling the rules of impeachment. They have discouraged the use of witnesses and the use of late appearing evidence. To my mind, the Democrats were wrong in not taking advantage of the compromise that the Republicans have reluctantly offered, in which the Democrats can call witnesses, such as John Bolton, if the Republicans can call Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, as witnesses for their side. The Republicans have also asked for the Whistle Blower to testify, knowing full well that it is against the law to make known the identity of the Whistle Blower.

Without witnesses and complete evidence, a trial isn’t a trial — especially since the Senate is overwhelmingly determined to clear Trump of high crimes and misdemeanors. If Trump is acquitted, he is more likely to win the 2020 presidential election. He will have more time to fix the voting and gather more supporters.

So it is up to the people to take to the streets with Refuse Fascism and the #OutNow movement to demand that this fascist regime be removed from power. Such action is far less arduous than living under fascism. We must struggle with all our might in sustained non-violent protest against this toxic regime before it achieves full power.