Events Highlight Grassroots Backlash Against Members of Congress and Lack Of Trust From Constituents
The leaders of activist groups from across Southeastern PA held press conferences this afternoon to highlight the grassroots activism that has sprung up across the region and to make clear their intentions to continue to hold their Members of Congress accountable. The events took place throughout the day in front of the district offices of Rep. Ryan Costello (PA-6), Rep, Patrick Meehan (PA-7), and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-8).
Activists highlighted the work done to date and outlined their plan to continue to hold their members of Congress accountable. Of note was the particular focus on how Costello’s (PA-6) and Meehan’s (PA-7) favorable vote for the reckless Republican health care repeal bill in committee has led to a lack of trust that drives their continued commitment to holding them accountable.
The activist groups leaders’ voices and messages were heard loud and clear: hardworking Pennsylvanians can’t trust their representatives to stand up for them or their values nor can they trust them to stand up against the radical agenda put forth by Speaker Ryan or President Trump.
PA-6
Beth Sweet, Indivisible Chester County – West Chester, PA: Beth is a community activist and member of Indivisible Chester County. Her organization was founded on the premise of resisting the radical Trump agenda and the fighting back against the Congressman who have embraced that agenda. She and her group know that the key to making change is action and that their work is just beginning.
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Terry Mroczek, Chester County Marching Forward – Elverson, PA: Terry Mroczek is a co-captain of Chester County Marching Forward. Her team was born out of the Women’s March and is continuing to grow and add members each week. They will continue to grow and hold their representatives accountable.
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Kate Muth, Mid-MontCo Indivisible: Katie is a leader and member of the steering committee of the recently formed Mid-MontCo Indivisible chapter. Her team has more than 400 members and are fired up and organizing to hold their members of congress accountable.
Left to right: Beth Sweet, Terry Mroczek, Katie Muth
PA-7
Sam Flint, Bowling Green Patriots; Mike Balay, Indivisible Main Line South; Bonnie and Jenn Hallman, Indivisible Upper Darby; Peggy Wilson, Indivisible Chester County; Jerry Lindear, Indivisible Elkins Park; Ellen Stevenson, Springfield Social Justice Network; Marie Turnbull, D7 Citizens for Equality Action Coalition: Leaders from activist groups across Pennsylvania’s 7th district held a press conference to highlight the work that their organizations have done to date and their plan to hold their representatives accountable moving forward.
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PA-8
Janet Ecksel, Bucks County Marching Forward – Southampton, PA: Janet Ecksel is a community activist and member of Bucks County Marching Forward, which has participated in countless events across the county and will continue to do so. They are particularly concerned that continued efforts to repeal the ACA will rip health care coverage away from 24 million Americans and know that their work is just starting. They are growing, organizing and will continue to work to hold their representatives accountable because they know that they can’t trust them to stand up for their values or stand up against the radical agenda of the Trump administration.
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Steve Bacher, Community Activist – Newtown, PA: Steve is a community activist from Newtown, PA and Vice President of the Newtown Democratic Club. He and his club have seen a surge in membership recently and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our representatives are held accountable to representing our values.
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Betsy Zipkin, Community Activist – New Hope, PA: Betsy is a community activist in Bucks County who has been involved in planning and organizing recent events across the region. While she is particularly drawn to events around protecting access to quality affordable health care for millions of Americans she is thrilled with the amount of activism that has begun recently and sees this as a statement that this is just the beginning.
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