Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump is set to become the first former US president arraigned in criminal court on Tuesday in Manhattan, and protesters who both like and loath Mr Trump have applied their creative talents to making and holding signs outside the courtroom.
One such sign invites passersby to urinate on a small photograph of Mr Trump sticking out of the ground in a path of dirt outside the courthouse.
Another sign with homophobic undertones requested that Mr Trump be placed in the “same cell as Stewart Rhodes, so that they can enjoy a night of hot eye-socket lovin’!” Mr Rhodes, the founder of the far-right militia the Oath Keepers, was convincted of charges of seditious conspiracy and evidence tampering related to his participation in the Jan 6 Capitol riot last year. He is currently awaiting sentencing.
Mr Trump also has his defenders outside the courtroom, though early reports have concluded that there are far more media members than Trump-aligned protesters on site in Manhattan.
“My pronouns are Not/Guilty,” one sign held up by a pro-Trump demonstrator read on Tuesday morning. Other signs in support of Mr Trump and his far-right political movement argued that Covid-19 is a hoax and demanded that the country “Count only LEGAL votes.”
Still, other protesters held signs showing their support for Stormy Daniels, the adult film actor whose 2006 affair with Mr Trump eventually led to the hush-money payment that has resulted in the former president’s indictment.
“Once again Trump got caught with his pants down,” a sign reads.
A few of the politicians in New York for the indictment have also attracted the attention of the protesting crowd. Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, an outspoken defender of Mr Trump, was greeted on her trip north with a sign mocking her as a dangerous escaped animal.
Another controversial Republican congressman, Rep George Santos of New York, also appeared outside the courthouse on Tuesday morning.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments