U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-6th) told a capacity crowd at the Evergreen Park Community Center on April 24 that they have a voice to speak out over policies implemented by President Donald Trump.
However, Casten pointed out that they will be better heard if they speak out in unison.
The congressman delivered his comments during his latest town hall meeting that was greeted positively by most of the people who attended. However, — as has been the case at his recent town hall gatherings — several people were escorted from the building by Evergreen Park police after shouting out demands and occasional insults directed toward the legislator.
Casten began by informing the audience that if they have concerns over Social Security funding being reduced, to contact his office. He said that since Trump became president in January that people are becoming fearful that this will affect them, along with other issues.
“There are things that we used to vote on that were partisan,” said Casten, who has served in Congress just over six years. “When we vote, it should not be just partisan.”
He also mentioned that if residents are frustrated by poor mail service in Evergreen Park that they should also contact his office.
The format for Casten’s town hall meetings has had him comment on various topical issues then allow time for questions and answers. However, one woman holding a megaphone began shouting at Casten as he initially spoke, criticizing him and other Democratic colleagues for supporting and providing funding for Israel while she said ignoring the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.
The woman continued shouting at the congressman and then was escorted out by the police.
Three other people also began shouting out questions and lashing out at Casten regarding the Hamas-Israel War. They were also removed from the meeting by police, much to the pleasure of the majority of the audience.
Casten said while this is unfortunate, having the town hall meetings is necessary to receive feedback from residents in various communities in his district. The congressman has not limited his town hall meetings to the 6th District, venturing out to Dixon and Carlinville, communities that are predominantly Republican.
“Republicans have been told by House Speaker Mike Johnson not to hold town hall meetings,” Casten said. “I think you have to be held accountable. It’s important to find out what people think and understand what their concerns are. That’s why we are doing this.”
Casten said that Americans should be concerned that Salvadoran national Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who lived in Maryland with his wife and three children, was deported to an El Salvador prison. The Trump administration admitted it was an “administrative error” that allowed him to be transported to El Salvador but has no intention of sending him back, claiming he is a gang member.
The congressman said that Garcia, like anyone in this country, should be granted due process and his fate should be determined here. What concerns Casten is that Garcia has no criminal record and the Trump administration has no proof that he is a gang member.
He approved of Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, going to El Salvador to try and bring Garcia back.
“If you are born in the United States, you are a citizen,” Casten said. “But the president wants to get rid of that even though it is in the Constitution. That’s how it works. This is embarrassing. It took a senator to go down to El Salvador to do what the president should do.”
He was also critical of Elon Musk’s attempt to gain access to the U.S. Treasury Department and his gutting of other agencies.
“We want to make sure that people know the stakes of what is happening,” Casten said. “I didn’t go to Dixon and Carlinville because I want to run for the Senate. In Southern Illinois, there are people who are concerned about Social Security, too. These are real issues that affect real people. We should all stand up.”
He addressed the concerns that the people who were removed from the meeting brought up in regards to Israel and Gaza.
“Israel is a nation that is not accepted by many of its neighbors,” Casten said. “But there is a real challenge under (Benjamin) Netanyahu because the Israeli government is far right and they want to quiet the moderate voices in Israel. And the people of Palestine need a path.”
One person said she was frustrated at what was going on but did not know where to turn or what to do. She looked for advice from Casten.
“We want to judge people by how they work together,” Casten said. “You want to find commonality on issues and work on that.”
He said tariffs that Trump has called for will eventually have a negative impact on the economy.
“I think we are going to see inventory begin to stop and prices go up,” Casten said.
Casten was asked what he and his Democratic colleagues can do to deter many of the rapid changes that have occurred under Trump’s executive orders?
“We have to move on from apathy and fear,” Casten said. “What we have to do is make people aware of the stakes and what is going to happen if we don’t do anything.”
The congressman said that may entail coming up with a multitude of ideas and to see what works and disregard those that don’t.
“There are more good people than bad people,” Casten said.
Casten said that residents are encouraged to speak out, especially in regards to depriving the poor of basic needs, along with eliminating some programs and funding for veterans.
Casten has been sending letters to some law firms taking them to task for working on deals with the Trump administration. This could compromise the legal system if a president is allowed to intimidate them, Casten said.
The congressman is concerned that Republicans are not speaking up about the executive orders by the president that he said are unconstitutional. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, admitted recently that she and her GOP colleagues are afraid to speak out against Trump.
“My message to Republicans and Democratic colleagues is not to be afraid to speak up,” Casten said. “You have nothing to lose. We shouldn’t have to feel that we are courageous for doing our job. And, if we all stood up, collectively, we will be better for it.”
