Some residents have started gathering weekly in Chico to voice their concerns about Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s level of transparency.
LaMalfa represents California’s 1st Congressional District, which encompasses most of the North State.
At their latest assembly, dozens of protestors organized near LaMalfa’s Chico office in rainy, 40-degree weather.
Geri Mahood was one of them.
“The fact that 40 people showed up in the rain, I mean, it's raining pretty hard out here,” Mahood said. “Everybody's in rain gear, with umbrellas and signs, but it's important.”
Passing cars honked in response to signs held by the demonstrators calling out the congressman.The protestors are concerned with LaMalfa’s support for President Donald Trump, and the president's recent policies.
Bill Bynum had a long list of concerns. The firing of FBI officials was at the top of it.
“That to me is unconscionable,” Bynum said. “His support for releasing all those criminals who took part in the Jan. 6 violent attempt to overthrow our government. That's just unconscionable. The gutting of all the programs, VA programs, Department of Education, the Justice dismissal of those hard working employees who've been there for years and work and are doing their jobs.”
The group says it wants to participate in the democratic process by speaking to their congressman.
Julian Zener is a Chico resident who would like to see LaMalfa hold an in-person meeting.
“In recent years, [LaMalfa] has made it a habit not to show up and have contact with his constituents,” Zener said.
Some protestors said LaMalfa hasn’t held a town hall in Chico since 2017. That’s a big reason many are showing up with signs that have slogans like “Where is LaMalfa?” each week.
Zener said some people question whether their efforts will make a difference.
“One has to be dubious about that,” Zener said. “But if we don't, then we are, in part, responsible. It suggests that we're acquiescing to what's going on.”
NSPR reached out to LaMalfa’s office but did not receive a response by deadline.
Elsewhere in the North State, Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley held a telephone town hall Monday with his constituents in California’s 3rd Congressional District.
Congress members have increasingly resorted to phone or Zoom town halls over in-person meetings.
Earlier this month, House Speaker Mike Johnson advised members of Congress to avoid holding in-person events.
Critics say this is an attempt to avoid the optics of raucous meetings attended by angry constituents.
Representatives say phone and Zoom town halls are more productive and can reach more people.
