Sen. Andy Kim held a town hall at Cherry Hill East on April 22 that drew a crowd of more than 300 people.
The Democratic senator took to the front of the auditorium of his alma mater to address his constituents.
“This idea (is) that we can gather together as people in this nation and talk through the challenges that are there, recognizing full well that we’re not all going to agree on it,” he said. ” … That we’ll have disagreements and issues and different perspectives here and there, but that we’re able to have this type of conversation and talk through what direction our country should be going.”
The senator was met with a range of emotions from the crowd. While many applauded or cheered, others yelled, booed or clapped loudly in disagreement with him. Before taking questions, Kim laid out his concerns about President Trump’s actions since he has taken office.
“First and foremost, with a simple yet profoundly important recognition, is that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, is abusing his power,” Kim noted.
Someone in the crowd then began heckling. Kim stopped his address, walked to the back of the room and spoke directly to the individual. The two briefly discussed a disagreement on the Constitutionality of the president’s actions before Kim returned to finish his introduction and take questions and comments.
The town hall took place just under three weeks after the senator and 13 other Democrats joined Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ effort to withhold $8.8 billion in military equipment to Israel. The measure failed, but division over the issue among audience members at Kim’s event was clear. As attendees began asking questions, one woman stood up to thank Kim for his yes vote, saying it showed “moral clarity, care for human life and a willingness to listen to your constituents.”
Another attendee defended Israel’s actions and expressed concerns about the country not being able to survive in the event of an arms embargo. Kim responded with his belief that there is no way to resolve the war in Gaza with military action alone.
“I don’t discount the continued threat that Hamas … will very well pose,” he explained. “But again, what we’re seeing right now with this resumption of violence (and a) blockade (of) humanitarian assistance, it’s just going to fuel anger and hate that gives Hamas the ability to be able to regroup and be able to continue to sow their danger to the Israeli people and make it harder to be able to get … all the hostages out.”
Outside of the Israeli issue, another town hall attendee, Linh Nguyen, addressed the need for federal workers and social services in the midst of government cutbacks.
“I chose a career in public service, and so many of my co-workers chose a career in public service because we want to serve the public,” she remarked, “and we are not able to do that when we’re being illegally terminated.”
Other audience members took their time to ask questions about multiple issues, including protections for LGBT individuals, in particular those in the trans community; due process in the wake of the deportation to El Salvador of immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia; and protection of U.S. citizens’ private data.
Kim continued to take questions for a half hour after the town hall ended.
“Go out and talk to other people in your own communities, your friends, your families and others, as I am doing as well, trying to make sure we’re spreading the word,” he noted. “The fact that you showed up today, it gives me immense gratitude for you that you’re paying attention.”
