By Anne Levin
At a Town Hall held in the Suzanne Patterson Center last Wednesday, January 28, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman heard from constituents about ICE, expiring healthcare subsidies, and the growing affordability crisis, among other concerns.
Repeatedly and patiently, the Democratic congresswoman urged the capacity crowd to do three things: protest, call representatives, and vote.
“Among those of you who RSVP’d, the most common questions are: ‘What can I do? What can I do about the craziness? What can I do to help my neighbors? What can I do to save my country?’” she said.
Watson Coleman admitted she doesn’t have all the answers. “But I can tell you that it starts with meetings like this one,” she said. “Look around you. There are over 100 of you here. Many of them have the same concerns as you. When this Town Hall is over, talk to your neighbors.”
Watson Coleman, who is 80 and has served 15 years representing the 12th District, announced last November that she will retire at the end of her term. Before taking questions from the audience, she addressed such topics as lowering the cost of car insurance, for which she has been working on legislation, and healthcare. Almost 11 million Americans will lose access, including 11,000 in the 12th District, she said.
“Those cuts mean that local hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes will have to pick up the tab,” she said, “all to pay for a tax cut for people who already have so much.”
On the international stage, Watson Coleman said that the Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela, intentions regarding Greenland, and the proposed Board of Peace “all erode our standing in the world and make us less safe.”
She is deeply troubled, she said, by efforts currently underway regarding the future of Gaza. “It looks like it’s a setup for the very wealthy and not for the Palestinian families who need food, schools, grocery stores, and hospitals,” she said, singling out the involvement of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
During the question-and-answer period, the pastor from St. Bartholomew’s Church in Trenton told the congresswoman that he has evidence that local police are cooperating with ICE. “When are the police going to protect the community instead of the interests of the state?” he asked. “Come see our neighborhood. Come see their [residents] faces.”
Watson Coleman said that she would follow up and visit.
A woman asked how those in power are getting away with breaking the law. “Can’t you hold them in contempt in some way? Organize a police action and send them out at the same time, like they do in drug raids? I want Congress to do something,” she said.
“I do, too,” said Watson Coleman. “You have a chance to make that happen in midterms [elections].”
Another member of the audience aired concerns about the lack of federal support for the Gateway tunnel over the Hudson River. Watson Coleman said that the money has been allocated and appropriated, but Trump is resisting because he doesn’t like New York and New Jersey. She urged residents to not only call their legislators, but also call the White House.
Asked who her successor might be, she said she is concerned, but “fortunately we have an embarrassment of riches.”
A press release following the event quoted Watson Coleman: “I’m grateful to be able to hear directly from my constituents in Princeton and answer many of their questions. Many expressed their frustration with the lawlessness of the DHS operations. Their frustration with the corruption in the White House. Their frustration with the lack of willingness of Congressional Republicans to protect Congress’ authority. I promised to keep fighting for the 12th District, who sent me to Washington on their behalf.”