Around 50 protesters gathered outside the Lebanon County Courthouse for the first demonstration of “Mondays with Meuser,” which organizers said will continue weekly to demand U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser (PA-9) meet with his constituents in a town hall-style meeting and keep his oath to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution, according to organizer Mike Schroeder.
Meuser represents Bradford, Columbia, Lebanon, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties.
“This is part of the job of being a representative, so what other option do we have other than peacefully protesting in a public space to insist on our rights as constituents to meet with our elected representative?,” Schroeder said.
He said he and other Lebanon Countians requested a meeting with Meuser through his website about a month ago and also reached out via social media. He said they received a basic email response that the request had been received, but they didn’t get any follow-up.
“We made a good faith effort to have Rep. Meuser meet with us,” Schroeder said. “He hasn’t outright refused, but it would be accurate to say that he has ignored us.”
Protesters held up homemade signs. Some had “Where’s Waldo?” glasses on Meuser’s photo while others communicated specific policy positions. Common themes were about protecting democracy, federal funding, and social security.
Schroeder brought a speaker and microphone to talk to the crowd. He said the protests would be lawful and peaceful, even if counterprotesters showed up at future events.
He then handed the microphone to anyone who wanted to speak and share why they chose to join the protest. Residents said they are concerned about President Donald Trump’s actions in the White House and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Dave Harris, who got up to the microphone to talk about why he chose to attend, is a United Methodist clergyman from Campbelltown. He stopped by the protest during his lunch break to get involved in person after years of trying to make his voice heard through other means.
“I think this is the first protest I’ve been at in 65 years,” Harris said. “I have signed and written letters, I’ve done other things, I’ve supported other people, but I have never been so compelled to step out of my comfort zone as a time like this.”
Protester Sandra Moritz from Mount Gretna said she’s been involved with a few recent demonstrations in Lebanon County, and her main concern is how much the Department of Government Efficiency is cutting. She said her father was a veteran, so VA funding is especially important to her.
She said she wanted the protest to get Meuser’s attention.
Read More: Impact of federal layoffs on Lebanon VAMC fuzzy but characterized as small
“I’m just hoping it gets his attention and he understands that we are for individuals in Congress, regardless of what party you’re at, to stand up for the people,” Moritz said.
“Don’t allow someone else to come in that Trump likes as a friend, a rich man, to dismantle with machetes and chainsaws instead of a scalpel.”
Moritz said she will come to as many Mondays with Meuser protests as she can.
According to reporting at the beginning of March, the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee told Republican legislators to stop holding in-person town halls due to backlash for the Trump administration’s cuts.
Meuser’s office responded to LebTown’s request for comment, saying they take pride in being accessible to the people of Pennsylvania and hold events “throughout the district and beyond.”
“Unfortunately, this protest is yet another example of a national, left-wing organization attempting to spread falsehoods and create disruption rather than engage in constructive dialogue,” said a statement shared by communications director Matthew Hanrahan. “These protests, backed by outside interests like the ‘Indivisible’ movement and financially supported by George Soros, are not about voicing genuine local concerns, but rather about advancing a partisan agenda.”
Schroeder and Harris both said they haven’t been paid by anyone.
“That’s ridiculous and patently absurd,” Schroeder said with a laugh. ”I challenge you to find one shred of evidence that any of that is true. Everybody here is local. Everybody who came up to the microphone, they all live here locally. I know half the people here. We’re not being paid. The short answer is that is absurd and I hesitate to dignify it with a response.”
Meuser’s office continued, saying they are not cutting Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. Instead, they “remain focused on serving the hardworking people of our district.”
Schroeder said Mondays with Meuser will continue weekly from noon to 1 p.m. for as many weeks as necessary until they get an opportunity to meet with the representative.
Questions about this story? Suggestions for a future LebTown article? Reach our newsroom using this contact form and we’ll do our best to get back to you.
Join our community of local news champions.
Cancel anytime.
Monthly
🌟 Annual
- Fewer ads
- Member newsletters
- Exclusive events
- All monthly benefits
- Most popular option
- Make a bigger impact
Already a member? Log in here to hide these messages
Local journalism is essential to democracy. LebTown keeps you informed about decisions that affect your daily life in Lebanon County. Join our community of supporters with a monthly or annual membership, or make a one-time contribution to strengthen local news. Cancel anytime.
