The Collin County Democratic Party in conjunction with the local chapter of 50501 — 50 protests, 50 states, 1 day — have scheduled in-person protests at two local congressional offices over the next week and a half, according to a press release explaining that “local Republican representatives only respond to community questions and concerns through active and direct citizen action.”
The first protest is set for Sunday, March 16, from 3-5 p.m., at the local office of Congressman Keith Self, 4500 Eldorado Parkway in McKinney. The second protest will be Saturday, March 22, from 2-4 p.m.at the local office of Congressman Pat Fallon, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd. in Frisco.
The protests are scheduled to coincide with the Congressional spring break.
Collin County Democratic Chair Jeremy Sutka said that, “as is always our policy, and in the great tradition of American civil rights activists, these protests will be peaceful and non-violent.” He encouraged those attending “to bring signs expressing their frustrations with how these individuals and their colleagues are harming our nation, our cities and our communities. Protests and civic actions are the only way to get their attention.”
Self recently hosted a local town hall meeting at which he was “roundly heckled,” the CCDP press release said, adding that Self’s “policy decisions, congressional votes, comments and behavior have come under wide scrutiny because of his public support of the divisiveness, cruelty and callous dismantling of some of the federal government’s critical social programs. His actions have angered many of his constituents.”
Self has also made headlines this week by misgendering transgender U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride of Delaware during a meeting of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, which Self chairs, saying, “I now recognize the representative from Delaware: Mr. McBride.”
Rep. McBride, for her part, smiled and quickly responded, “Thank you Madam Chair.” But Rep. Bill Keating interrupted to insist that Self properly acknowledge McBride. In return, Self doubled down on his childish insult, and when Keating again objected, Self ended the hearing rather than address the Delaware Democrat as a woman.
Fallon, the press release added, “has expressed a similar tone, offering full support of the current administration’s reprehensible actions.”
Those planning to participate in the protests are urged to sign up online for the Self protest and for the Fallon protest.
“We expect some to see about 100 to 150 people at each event, hoping to make an impactful statement that people, from all walks of life and all political persuasions, are expecting our representatives to respect the wishes of their communities,” Sutka said. “That’s what democracy demands.”
— Tammye Nash