Message to RI/DC lawmakers: “Roll up your sleeves and get dirty”

Feb. 13--EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Many of the nearly 800 people at a Town Hall with Rhode Island's congressional delegation urged the lawmakers to demand President Donald Trump's resignation, to refuse to consider his Supreme Court nominee -- Neil Gorsuch, and to support refugees and the Affordable Care Act.

They gathered Sunday at East Providence High School for what Sen. Jack Reed's staff said is the first forum with a state's entire delegation since the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

When Cranston resident Steven Fischbach took the microphone, the son and grandson of refugees said every day Trump remains in power, it will become increasingly more difficult to remove him from office. Demand Trump's resignation, he said, drawing vociferous applause from the audience.

On the stage, Reed, U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, and U.S. Representatives David Cicilline and James Langevin did not pledge to do so.

Reed replied that the strength of this country is that "we are a nation of laws, not men."

Yekaterina Ginzburg-Bram, a Soviet Jewish refugee who moved to this country 25 years ago and is now a U.S. citizen, said she has spent the past week or so "in a state of tears and panic" over the president's travel ban, which a federal appeals court refused to reinstate on Thursday.

She asked how can people ensure the president and his advisers don't rewrite the rules of the initial ban and re-implement it.

"He's certainly capable of trying to do that, but it will once again go straight to the courts," Reed said.

As she pushed for answers, Whitehouse urged the crowd not to give up, on any front. He spoke of a gathering at Nathan Bishop Middle School in January that gave a standing ovation to the president of Rhode Island's Muslim schools.

Showing support for diverse groups is vital, Whitehouse said: "So don't give up on the small gestures, as well as with the big process fights."

As Deborah Lennon, of Newport, told the delegation not to let Trump's nominee be considered for the "stolen Supreme Court seat," the crowd jumped to its feet and chanted, "Filibuster."

After Justice Antonin Scalia's death last year, the Republican Senate never allowed a vote on President Barack Obama's nominee, Judge Merrick Garland.

Lennon said 73.5 million Americans voted against Trump, the Senate lost two Republican seats and the House lost five.

"We did not expect to forfeit all checks and balances in this election, and we need you to fight for us," she stressed. "They do not have a mandate. You do."

That prompted many who had just sat down to stand again, and begin a new chant: "Just say no."

Reed talked of the complexities of a filibuster, and when he said Republicans refused to consider Garland, the crowd yelled back: "And it worked."

From the audience, Warren resident Paul Rocha grumbled, "Roll up your sleeves and get dirty."

In an interview, Rocha said he wants the congressional delegation not to give in as this administration refuses to follow rules and works to gain an unfair advantage. Here's how he wants them to push back: "Use any means necessary, short of violence."

He said he doesn't understand why the delegation doesn't appear more outraged: "They don't really feel it. They're immune to the suffering of regular people. It's typical of privilege."

Earlier in the meeting, Langevin called Trump's actions "shameful" during the campaign, referring to the way he treated women and minorities.

Cicilline stressed that the people who are protesting Trump's presidency must remain active and must vote in the midterm election in 2018.

When the delegation ended the forum, Alma Gottlieb was among about two dozen people who had waited to speak at four microphones, yet went unheard. She was next in line.

In an interview, she expressed disappointment with Reed, and said he doesn't seem engaged with the mood of Rhode Islanders.

Although Whitehouse held his own forum recently, Gottlieb said Reed resisted invitations to hold his own and compromised by having the forum of the full delegation.

In a separate interview, Reed said Sunday's forum was no compromise.

"I think it's more powerful when we're all together," he said.

What Reed heard Sunday, he said, will inform his decisions on Trump's appointments.

"These are thoughtful, concerned people who want what's best for their country."

-- kbramson@providencejournal.com

(401) 277-7470

On Twitter: @JournalKate

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