On Tuesday, March 18, people were already lining up at the doors of the Greenfield Middle School at 5:15 p.m. so they could get a seat for the town hall with U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern hosted by Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution.

The auditorium was full to overflowing by 6:30 p.m. Rep. McGovern stopped to chat with people outside who could not fit inside the building due to safety concerns. According to McGovern staff, they estimated 900 people turned out in Greenfield for the event, one of several he has held in his district in the past few weeks. Even the auditorium balcony was full.

McGovern took questions from the overflow audience for over two hours, even staying late to answer the questions of all the people who had stood in line for a very long time, when we had to close the event. The assembled crowd repeatedly expressed anger and frustration by the actions of the Trump/Musk administration and was eager to hear what we can do to turn things around to save our democracy from the hands of the autocrat and his Doge sidekick.

“I want to thank you all for hosting McGovern’s town hall,” said one of the attendees. “He came across as one of us, as a man willing to fight for our values, and as a truth teller about how vulnerable our democracy is and has been for a long time. His call for a general strike on May 1 received the biggest applause and we are ready to do what we can to help mount that strike.”

This is what democracy looks like! This is what local organizing looks like! FCCPR is always open to new members, with annual dues of $10 (www.fccpr.us). We will be hosting a General Assembly on Sunday, April 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Guiding Star Grange. All are welcome, member or not.

We are grateful to McGovern and his staff for making this event possible. We are beyond grateful for all the people who showed up. And we are beyond, beyond grateful for the generous donations by attendees to support the organizing efforts going forward with the FCCPR activists.

Susan Triolo

On behalf of Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution, Sunderland