The local rallies are part of a national movement in response to a perceived threat to the special counsel’s investigation of possible ties between the Trump administration and Russia during the 2016 campaign.

TAMPA BAY – “Response rallies” are scheduled around Tampa Bay and across the nation this afternoon in the wake of the forced resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions by President Donald Trump.

Organizers say that, in forcing Sessions to resign and appointing Matt Whitaker as acting attorney general, that Trump “crossed a red line.”

One of the organizers’ websites, “trumpisnotabovethelaw.org,” said

“Donald Trump has installed a crony to oversee the special counsel’s Trump-Russia investigation, crossing a red line set to protect the investigation. By replacing Rod Rosenstein with just-named Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker as special counsel Robert Mueller’s boss on the investigation, Trump has undercut the independence of the investigation.

“Whitaker has publicly outlined strategies to stifle the investigation and cannot be allowed to remain in charge of it. The Nobody Is Above the Law network demands that Whitaker immediately commit not to assume supervision of the investigation. Our hundreds of response events are being launched to demonstrate the public demand for action to correct this injustice.”

The group adds, “Donald Trump just crossed a red line, violating the independence of the investigation pursuing criminal charges in the Trump-Russia scandal and cover-up. Trump putting himself above the law is a threat to our democracy, and we’ve got to get Congress to stop him.We’re mobilizing immediately to demand accountability, because Trump is not above the law.”

Among Florida rallies the site lists are protests in Dunedin, Port Richey, St. Petersburg, Tampa and Tarpon Springs.

The site for the St. Pete rally echoes the national group, saying, ”

resident Trump has fired Attorney General Sessions and installed someone loyal to him to oversee and potentially end the Mueller investigation. We will not let Trump put himself above the law.”

The St. Pete rally, like all others, is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. today (Nov. 8). It is scheduled for South Straub Park, 198 Bayshore Drive NE.

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