Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., faced a hostile crowd Saturday during a town hall event where attendees reportedly broke into boos and jeers. The gathering at John F. Kennedy Catholic High School saw one constituent forcibly removed by police officers.
According to reporting from the location, police surrounded the woman after she stated, "I'm not leaving." People nearby chanted support for her to remain. New York State Police officers ultimately carried her out of the auditorium. Staff members present accused several attendees of being disruptive.
The Republican congressman for New York's 17th district addressed about 600 people. He answered questions on issues including President Donald Trump's tariffs, deportations, and spending cuts. One attendee challenged Lawler on his claims of working across the aisle.
Lawler defended his legislative approach, stating his willingness to work with others to pass bills.
Separately, about eighty people held a protest near the high school during the town hall. Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson and Somers Democratic Party chair Christine Robbins were among those leading the protest. Davidson is pursuing a candidacy to run against Mike Lawler.
The event mirrors a previous town hall where the freshman lawmaker faced jeers and boos last week at Clarkstown South High School in West Nyack. Republican lawmakers have recently encountered angry constituents at similar events across the country.
Issues driving attendee frustration have included federal layoffs, stock market volatility linked to tariffs, and mass deportations.
At the Somers event, a question about protests against Israel prompted some in the crowd to walk out.
Mike Lawler concluded the session by thanking attendees for their participation. I appreciate everybody coming out tonight, he said, expressing appreciation for them taking the time to ask questions and hear his responses.
