WASHINGTON — Gathering for Democracy hosted a town hall Saturday, March 23 at the Kentucky Theatre, and hundreds of people attended.
The group formed out of concern about actions taken by President Donald Trump’s administration, including the firing of federal employees and the dismantling of government agencies, said town hall organizer Judith Humble.
“The town hall committee developed out of this group, and it was in response to many efforts to get Congressman Barr to present a local town hall in person so we could address some of these very important questions to him,” she said.
Rep. Andy Barr, R-Lexington, confirmed last week that he would not attend and said he planned a telephone town hall set for Monday, March 24.
On Saturday, people lined up to share concerns and questions in front of an empty chair and microphone on the stage, meant for Barr.
It wasn’t a stunt, but a “symbol,” Humble said.
“The symbol is that we’d like to communicate with you, and the symbol is that we are capable of doing this in a respectful way that’s respectful of your physical safety, that’s respectful of your person and who you are, and we want to engage in civil dialogue,” she said.
Because of vocal opposition to parts of the president’s agenda, House Republican leaders have advised their members not to hold in-person town halls.
Groups like Gathering for Democracy have stepped in to hold them instead.
After Saturday’s event, Barr said in an online post:
“Nice to see Soros + the left lighting money on fire. No amount of manufactured outrage by paid activists will stop the mandate for total overhaul of DC.”
No one was paid to be at the event, and it was promoted as nonpartisan, Humble said.
The group plans to give the Barr’s office cards with personal stories and questions collected at the town hall.
Meanwhile, former Democratic Rep. John Yarmuth and the Kentucky Democratic Party are holding a “People’s Town Hall” for voters of Barr’s district at the Lyric Theatre in Lexington on Wednesday, March 26.
