'We have questions': Mass. residents flood congressional Democrats' town halls, calling for action

Hundreds of people angered by national politics are crowding town halls led by members of Massachusetts' all-Democratic congressional delegation. Many are venting frustrations with Democrats, accusing them of inaction as President Trump and his administration dismantle or threaten government services.

While Republican members of Congress have been advised against holding constituent town halls after heated arguments, concerned residents have packed some Democrats' forums.

The focus on public appearances comes as thousands of people fill arenas to hear Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent, speak at his "Fighting Oligarchy" rallies in several states.

Massachusetts Democrats have four scheduled public forums this week alone.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who has held three town halls in Texas and Massachusetts in the past month, took several polite questions Tuesday evening from attendees at an event in Lowell. Most of the roughly 700 participants appeared to be supporters of the Democrat, with the forum feeling at times like a pep rally.

Her fellow Massachusetts senator, Ed Markey, this month invited the public to a town hall in Malden, drawing an estimated 1,500 constituents on a Saturday.

But other local Democrats have convened more combative audiences. Over the weekend, nearly 600 people crowded into an auditorium at Masconomet Regional High School in Boxford to see U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton. Dozens had to be turned away because the room was at capacity.

As Moulton made his way to the podium, an audience member accused him of promoting "trans genocide," an apparent reference to his past remarks that transgender teen girls and women should not participate in sports based on their gender identity.

As police led the demonstrator out of the room and some audience members clapped, Moulton quipped, "OK, well we're off to a good start."

Before Moulton finished his opening remarks, a woman stood up from her chair and addressed him directly.

"I don't want to interrupt — but we're here to talk. We have questions," she yelled to loud applause from the audience.

Moulton urged everyone to raise their hands and speak into the microphones, adding "we will get to your questions."

The main question that emerged: What are Democrats doing to fight some of the Trump administrations actions? Attendees also asked about Republican proposed budget cuts, the Trump administration's immigration crackdown and U.S. support for Israel.

Margaret O'Malley, a retired nurse from Gloucester, said she feels Democrats are not being aggressive enough and no longer speak for voters like her.

"The people of the United States, the vast majority of them, don't want what's happening in Washington, D.C.," O'Malley said. "The Congress has seemed to go dark. It seemed to go quiet."

The crowd erupted when O'Malley said Democrats need to be "warriors" now, and she doesn't accept the suggestion that those opposed to the Trump administration's policies can make change by electing more Democrats in next year's midterm elections.

"It could be too late by next year," O'Malley said to cheers. Many people stood up to applaud.

Outside the building, about a half-dozen people waved Trump flags and held signs with messages such as "Trump is right. Media lies." Meanwhile, Trump opponents inside peppered Moulton with their own criticisms.

Moulton defended his party's efforts in the Trump era, pointing to lawsuits that have paused some White House proposals. He added Democrats face difficulties with Republicans in control of the White House and Congress.

Still, Moulton acknowledged Democrats "could all do more" and said he is working with other members of his party.

At Warren's town hall at UMass Lowell, a more subdued crowd wanted her thoughts on Democratic leadership.

One participant identified himself as UMass student John Antonopoulos and asked Warren if Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is the right person to lead Senate Democrats in light of his vote in support of a GOP spending bill critics say will give Republicans and the president more power.

"I think Chuck Schumer was wrong," Warren said, adding she voted against the bill and tried "twisting arms within our caucus." She did not address whether Schumer should lead in the Senate.

Her focus now, Warren said, is on fighting against the House-passed budget resolution that calls for $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and $2 trillion in spending cuts over the next decade.

"I cannot describe to you how urgent this is," Warren said. "This is the all-the- marbles fight . We have got to beat these billionaires back."

Warren urged people to organize and not get overwhelmed by the flurry of changes in Washington.

"We've got the courts, we've got Congress, but the real power in this nation is the American people," Warren said. "Real power are the people who continue to pay attention, the people who continue to reach out, the people who continue to make their voices heard."

Congressman Moulton also urged people to keep tabs on what's happening in Washington and speak out about their concerns. He said he understands the anxiety on display at his town hall, and he hopes voters will make their voices heard.

"I think that people will look back on this time in history and say, you know, 'What did you do?' " Moulton said. "Whether you're an elected representative or just an ordinary citizen ... 'What have you done when democracy was under threat?' "

Many attendees said they were glad they had a chance to voice their concerns and hear from others.

"People watching the news sit home and feel very helpless [about] what we're seeing happening," Donna Phaneuf of North Andover, said after Moulton's town hall. "People are fired up, and they need to let it out somewhere."

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described in a photo caption an image of a woman interacting with an officer at an event hosted by Rep. Seth Moulton. She was not the woman escorted out of the town hall. The caption has been updated. We regret the error.