Congressman Gary Palmer Holds Town Hall Despite Recent Protests
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer fielded questions from constituents at a town hall in Hoover Saturday. Palmer’s visit follows a slew of contentious public meetings involving members of Congress and their constituents.
Residents flooded the entrance to Hoover City Hall waiting to meet with Palmer. Some members of Congress are refusing to hold town halls after several of their colleagues were met with angry and frustrated citizens. But Palmer chose to face the heat.
“I’m not afraid to meet with you,” Palmer told a small room of constituents. “I’m not afraid to hear from you. I’m not afraid to disagree with you.”
And that happened a lot.
People filled the seats of the chamber, and many more were forced to wait outside. Inside, people clutched signs: a green one that said “agree” and a red one that said “disagree.” The signs waved often, mostly red, as Palmer firmly stood his ground on sensitive issues.
“I support defunding Planned Parenthood … I do not support sanctuary cities … On the climate change thing, I agree there’s climate change, but I believe it’s through natural variation,” he said.
Palmer went on to say he doesn’t think humans have had an impact on climate change. He also said he believes charter schools are the answer to failing public schools. Many in attendance didn’t like what Palmer had to say.
Shea Rives of Bluff Park questioned Palmer’s willingness to stand up against what he called a dangerous and unqualified President Donald Trump.
“And I’ve heard you say in the past that we need more people willing to take a vote that may cost them the next election,” Rives said. “What I think we need today is more people willing to take a stand that might cost them the next election.”
The town hall lasted almost two hours, well beyond the one hour expected time limit. Many people left without being heard, but the meeting ended peacefully. Other Alabama representatives, like Republican U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, are refusing to hold town halls, saying the meetings are potential threats to public safety.
Esther Ciammachilli,WBHM
Palmer stepped outside to quickly address the crowd of people that didn’t get seats inside the town hall.
Millions face wintry weather for what could be a record-setting holiday travel season
More than 119 million people are expected to travel for Christmas and Hanukkah, which both fall on the same day this year, through the New Year, according to AAA.
Review by Senate Democrats finds more unreported luxury trips by Clarence Thomas
A report by Democrats on the Judiciary Committee found additional travel taken in 2021 by Thomas but not reported on his annual financial disclosure, including trips on private jets and a yacht trip.
Where did Barry Jenkins feel safe as a kid? Atop a tree
Director Barry Jenkins is best known for films like "Moonlight" and "If Beale Street Could Talk." On Wild Card, he opens up about where he felt the safest as a kid.
Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 20, including five children
Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip overnight and into Sunday killed at least 20 people, including five children, Palestinian medical officials said.
I discovered one way to fight loneliness: The Germans call it a Stammtisch
Modern life can be lonely. Some are looking to an old German tradition – of drinking and conversation – to deepen connection through regular meetups.
This Christmas I’ll be grieving. Here’s how I’ll be finding joy.
Since her husband's death, newscaster Windsor Johnston has been looking for ways to recapture joy and continue her healing journey — one that's taken her to a place she'd never expected.
