Video: Demonstrators outside Morristown office of Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen
By Kevin Coughlin
Demonstrators kept up the pressure on Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th Dist.), continuing their “Fridays with Frelinghuysen” rallies by presenting his Morristown staff with a 5,000-signature petition requesting a town hall meeting with the Congressman.
Frelinghuysen’s staff politely accepted the petition, amid security that was tighter than for previous rallies.
Morris County Sherriff’s Officers were inside the Congressional office, preventing any photographing of Frelinghuysen’s staff.
Downstairs, officers only allowed groups of five- or six at a time to visit the office. About 75 people attended the lunchtime event, organized by NJ 11th for Change.
So far, Frelinghuysen and his Washington staff have not responded to requests for comment.
Frelinghuysen, named chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee after easily winning a 12th term in November, last held a town hall meeting in 2013.
NJ 11th for Change has scheduled a series of such meetings–with our without Frelinghuysen–across the district between Feb. 19 and Feb. 23, 2017.
Slideshow photos by Bill Lescohier
Members of the grass roots organization say hundreds of written and oral messages to the Congressman have received no response.
Dozens of others have received “insufficient” identical responses to their concerns about repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and want a discussion “about issues that affect our lives and livelihood,” according to a statement by the group.
The statement added that Frelinghuysen “has already voted to begin repeal of [the ACA], weaken oversight of our public education system, enable oil, gas and mining companies to make payments to foreign governments without public disclosure, allow coal-mining companies to dump their wastes into rivers and streams, and make it easier for people with severe mental illness to obtain guns.”
Peaceful demonstrations have occurred regularly at the Congressman’s Morristown office since President Trump’s inauguration.
Groups have included the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the Mom’s March Against Gun Violence, and members of a Boonton mosque.
MG Contributor Bill Lescohier contributed to this report.
No meeting since 2013? Like the rest of the House GOP, you’re a coward and un-American. You don’t belong in Washington. Time to retire.
Congressman,
I didn’t vote for you. But you are our representative. You must hold a town hall meeting. Its your job.
Stay strong! Support the President’s agenda!