What response should we have to the town hall takeovers?

[Ken Burch]

I'm thinking we need to have people there who will shout down the disrupters, remind everybody that we did actually WIN this election. In any case, there needs to be a response soon, and a sharp, clever one. Any ideas?

[wundermaus]

1. Take along cameras, video, and audio recorders...

Make them famous... infamous.
Don't play by their rules... give them enough rope to hang themselves.

[Orsino]

2. Arrests?

Conspiracy to deny civil rights comes to mind as a possible charge, as does RICO...but disturbing the peace is a no-brainer.

[wicket]

3. Agreed!

I recommended this thread - I had another thread similar to this and was being voted down. They don't want their mobs to be countered! :eyes:

[MindPilot]

4. The consensus is to let them walk all over us.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6230080&mesg_id=6230080

[tekisui]

5. I like the idea a caller to Thom Hartmann had,

open the meeting by exposing them. Say "There may be some in attendance who seek to disrupt this town hall. Their objective may be to shut down debate." The speaker could even read from the memo that has made the rounds. Then, turn the floor to someone telling their personal story of being screwed by the healthcare industry.

When the disruptors start, if they continue to disrupt after they have shouted their point, escort them out. No need to arrest them or prevent them from entering, but if they are a constant disruption, make them leave.

[BonnieJW]

14. Having people write down their questions

before the meeting starts is also a good idea. Then the questions are read rather than having people stand and shout.

[rurallib]

6. for one thing, get your own throng of liberals to go.

I have a sneaking hunch that if challenged these bullies will back down.
Also have some police on hand if possible.
Here is what some folks did in Texas:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/8/5/748945/-Teabaggers-and-Repbulicans-Prevented-from-Hijacking-Lloyd-Doggetts-Town-Hall-in-Bastrop,-Texas

[theoldman]

8. If the Democrats would outnumber the Republicans they could be shouted down.

The problem, as we all know, is that it's the Republicans that show up in large numbers. You don't even have to go to a meeting, just shout down your Republican friends and neighbors.

[drm604]

7. There have been posts here & elsewhere about how people have been successfully handling this.

There are some simple tactics that seem to be working.

Here are a couple of DU threads.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6231131

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6231143

Here's a Dailykos post that a lot of people have been referencing.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/8/4/13836/02418

In my opinion two groups trying to outshout each other won't achieve anything except to create more chaos. The tactics discussed in the above links seem to be working.

You should read all three links, but here are a few examples.

• Try to have a police presence. This seems to intimidate the troublemakers. Especially if the speaker tells the crowd that disruptions will not be tolerated. The one or two who still insist on being disruptive can be escorted out.
  
• Have trusted known supporters show up very early and take up the front seats.
  
• The first link is about a "town hall" where the rep met with her constituents in a room one at a time, one on one, on a first come first served basis. In instances where this can be done it totally blocks organized disruption of communication.

[LiberalEsto]

9. Remember how the Bushies stifled dissent for 8 years?

They set up "Free Speech Zones" at considerable distances from their events, and sometimes blocked access by the public with lines of tractor-trailers,

They required people to have tickets to events, and tossed out anyone who said something in opposition.


If we tried using these same tactics on the teabaggers/disruptors, they would scream bloody murder and fascism, or course. They can never take what they themselves have dished out.

[asjr]

10. The disruptors should be arrested for

disturbing the peace. Isn't that a felony?

[MagickMuffin]

11. From Health Care for America via Talking Points Memo

1. 1. Do not debate on their "policy" points. Remember, they are seeking a platform to distort the truth about reform by making health care about abortion, rationing, euthanasia, etc. Rather than try to reply with the truth (which won't move them anyway) we should respond with our message and at every turn re-focus the agenda on communicating with the Member of Congress.

2. Interrupt them when they get disruptive and refocus the meeting: Line up a number of people who feel comfortable interrupting and prepare them with statements like:
* "Excuse me, I came today to listen to Representative XXX explain how this bill is going to make health care more affordable for me and my family. We're being gouged by insurance companies that just want to make more profits while we struggle to keep up with premiums and co-pays. Representative, how are you going to fix that?"

* "I'm retired and can't afford my prescription drugs because I'm on a fixed income. Representative, how is this bill going to affect me?"

* I want to hear the Representative speak. He's the one voting on the bill. Representative, how will this bill help people who already have insurance at work?"

* "What I'm worried about is how we're going to keep the insurance companies from continuing to charge people more for being sick and keep them from taking away coverage when we need it most. What's the plan for that?"

3. Don't get into a shouting match with them. Instead, prep people on our side to keep raising the questions that we want answered. Repetition is the key. We need to arm our side with questions that play to the strength of our message and make sure we keep bringing them up over and over so that the press recognizes those central themes. We should also phrase those questions strategically to help move the message.

* "Over the last XX years, insurance company profits have risen XXX %; in this bill you would regulate insurance companies so that they can no longer deny people with pre-existing conditions and would have to play by fair rules. Isn't that right, Representative XX?"

* "Isn't it true that this bill would guarantee everyone a choice of public health insurance option that will lower cost overall in the system?"

4. Address the MOC directly with a positive message: Remember, these Members need cover and they are getting beaten up by right wing zealots in these meetings. We want to let the Member know that we appreciate his efforts to hear constituents and that we, the majority, agree with him.

5. We should demonstrate that we are the majority by chanting: When the other side gets too loud, we should shut them down with chants that counter their message like "Health Care Can't Wait!" and "Health Care Delayed is Health Care Denied" and prep people to chant at key points when the other side gets most disruptive.

6. Follow up with the Member one-on-one: This experience may have been trying for your MOC. Make sure that you thank him and that you let him know that the majority is with him. He needs to know that we will provide cover and support him at every turn for his leadership on this issue.

[Beetwasher]

12. No, This Is How You Handle It

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/8/5/748945/-Teabaggers-and-Repbulicans-Prevented-from-Hijacking-Lloyd-Doggetts-Town-Hall-in-Bastrop,-Texas

[Gregorian]

17. Freedom of speech was preserved. Quote unquote.

This is the concern here. Along with the escalation to inevitable violence, that they appear to be wanting.

There is no substitution for participation. Because the truth is, reality is liberal based.

[jotsy]

13. How about blasting Aretha Franklin's RESPECT every time they start?

I don't believe shouting back will result in anything thing but us looking as rabid as they are.

Make smaller, torso sized stop signs indicating in what ever way you can in a few words, that you did not come to listen to over aged adolescents throw long winded and senseless tantrums.

I'm not with the corporate mouthpiece

Grow Up

volunteer fear merchants

Are you off your meds

Dogs of war bark like you

big mouths, small minds

[peace13]

15. Police on the podium and a chair for the speaker. n/t

[guitar man]

16. Throw them out

Let them know that civil discourse is welcome but chaotic disruption is not. :grr:

[OffWithTheirHeads]

18. High velocity lead poisening

works well.