Cheryl Biren-Wright, the Chair of the Impeachment Issue Organizing Team of the Progressive Democrats of America S. Jersey Chapter, has posted on OpEdNews her account of Rep. John Conyers appearance at The People's March for Peace, Equality, Jobs, and Justice on Saturday, August 25 in Newark, New Jersey. I present it here so that you may make your own judgments.
Conyers came on stage to promote the National Health Insurance Bill, H.R. 676.
While the discussion of health insurance for all and the great congressman from Michigan were well-received with cheers and applause, the cries for impeachment took center stage. In what has become routine now, Conyers fed into the momentum asking "What should we do?" "IMPEACH!" cried the crowd. "What should we do?" "IMPEACH!" and so it was repeated. The congressman went on to declare that we needed to bring back Rumsfeld and put him on trial and the big question was to decide who ought to go first. "Cheney!" shouted the crowd enthusiastically.
Some knowing impeach activists in the crowd called the bluff asking "When are you going to act on this?" He replied that he was going to meet with impeachment activists. "When?!" they called. "Right after this march. Right here!" and he pointed back stage.
Several activists moved themselves to make sure that they would have an oppurtunity to meet with the congressman. Biren-Wright characterizes as "condescending and sarcastic" assurances from a legislative aide that the congressman would meet with them.
By then, word had spread through the crowd that Conyers, not only was going to meet with impeachment supporters, but was going to sign onto H. Res. 333 on Monday. As the activists greeted the congressman, a warm exchange and introductions were made. "We're very pleased to hear that you've agreed to sign on to H. Res. 333 on Monday," announced Hutchison despite his doubt that this would actually be carried out. Conyers did not deny he said that, but replied "Well, you know I can't do it Monday, we're not in session." Biren-Wright interjected by pulling out a cell phone and suggested they could call Kucinich right there. Conyers proceeded, "...and, I can't do it on the 6th or the 13th...but I'll be back here in November." The NJ Impeach Group persisted and Conyers prepared to setup his next "deal." "Listen," he said, "You keep working here in New Jersey. You get one representative from New Jersey..." The members precipitously jumped in declaring, "We've got one!" Conyers was taken aback and shot a look at assistant, Joel Segal. "Who?" inquired Conyers. "Congressman Donald Payne who is on his way here right now," they replied.
Payne, New Jersey's only member of both the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Congressional Black Caucus signed on to H. Res. 333 after a strong campaign by the NJ Impeach Groups and a sealing of the deal by David Swanson of afterdowningstreet.com last month. The congressman, who represents the city of Newark, was on his way to join Conyers in leading the march and addressing the crowd. Rep. Conyers struggled to respond to this unexpected news and suddenly his approach was less amicable and more direct. He searched each activist intently asking "Do you know what will happen if this moves forward and doesn't succeed? Do you have any idea?" as if the mere thought was too much to bear.
The representatives replied that they understood the consequences of not moving on it and that is where the real danger was. Despite the contentions of some critics, Conyers readily acknowledged that as chair of the judiciary, he holds the power to propel the impeachment process forward. However, he insisted that a campaign to impeach that was not successful would have dire consequences - presumably politically.
Her description of the subsequent events are available at the link.