The concern at the rally was accessibility to the congressman. Those in attendance were asking for a town hall to be able to ask questions and express concerns about policy. 

While on scene WTAJ asked everyone where people were coming from. There were people who are local to Bellefonte, State College, Gatesburg, and even Lock Haven.

One of the people there handed out a sheet that they are giving to the congressman’s office. Some of the issues they are concerned about are the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare,  and the repeal of the rule that kept those suffering from mental illness from being able to purchase a gun. Those are just a couple out of the ten listed. Overall, they are saying that they want the ability to be able to speak to the congressman face to face. Kelli Hoover came from Pennsylvania Furnace to express her concern.

Hoover explained, “We are all constituents, we are not being paid. we don’t have an organized organization. We are all people who share the same concerns.”

The following statement was given to WTAJ from Renee Gamela from Congressman Thompson’s office stating: “Prior to being elected to Congress, Mr. Thompson spent nearly 30 years in non-profit healthcare and certainly understands the issues facing those with life-changing diseases and disabilities.

He always has an open door for constituents who are interested in meeting to discuss the issues. While there are certainly constituents with valid concerns, many protesters have turned down an opportunity to meet with the Congressman personally. Although he has not ruled out hosting a town hall, Mr. Thompson will be responsible for organizing the event, not his political opposition.”

WTAJ read the statement to the crowd to get their reaction. Members of the crowd said that they don’t see themselves as the “opposition” because they felt that they are constituents and should are represented by the congressman. They also denied being offered an opportunity to meet with Congressman Thompson and turning it down.

Bill Hefferan lives in Lamont and saw WTAJ’s live report at 5 p.m. and rushed to the rally. He explained, “This protest here, I didn’t l know that it was at 5 o clock, but I got into my car and came down. I’ve tried to contact Congressman Thompson many times but I got nowhere.”

A release was sent to WTAJ about a town hall that will be hosted by constituents on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 2 p.m in 111 Forum Building, on Penn State’s University Park campus. The release says, “Mr. Thompson has been invited to the event, and has been informed that there will be no paid protesters and no spectacle. Regardless of whether he chooses to attend, his constituents will have an opportunity to voice their concerns. If Mr. Thompson does not attend, his constituents’ comments will be recorded and sent to Mr. Thompson afterward, so that he will have an opportunity to respond.”