BEND THE ARC:CU ORGANIZES PROTEST DEMANDING A LIVE TOWN-HALL FROM CONGRESSMAN RODNEY DAVIS
When Bend the Arc:CU members read in the local paper that Congressman Rodney Davis was planning a $200-a-head dinner on August 28 featuring former Speaker of the House John Boehner, the minyan decided to swing into action.
Davis has never held a live, in-person town hall in his district since he took office in 2013, claiming they only lead to “... screaming and shouting from people who obviously don't want me to win or even be in this job.” “He's made it pretty clear that the only way a large group of constituents can hear him speak and have him hear us is to have to pay $200,” says Bend the Arc:CU's press secretary, Terry. "That's not the way democracy should work."
So, with only two days' notice, Bend the Arc:CU contacted its members and several allied groups to organize a protest across the street from the fundraiser's venue. Despite temperatures hovering in the 90s, more than 20 protesters showed up. "We wanted Davis to know that his constituents want and deserve his time as much as donors who can afford $200 for a dinner,” says Maher. “His opponent has been holding free, live town halls all summer in every county in the district. Why can't he?”
Davis' opponent is Democrat Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, who has been officially endorsed by Bend the Arc.
