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Activists plan protest near location of Chris Collins fundraiser Saturday

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

On Saturday April 8th, Congressman Chris Collins of NY 27, will be hosting a coffee with Collins event at the Miss Batavia Diner in Batavia. The cost per ticket is $55.

Several local grassroots organizers have teamed up to speak out against this. Individuals from Citizens against Collins, GLOW Progressives, Le Roy Voices for Change, Metro Justice and Stronger Together WNY and citizens who are just frustrated will meet near the diner bright and early at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning to rally against the Congressman and his lack of interest to host an open Town Hall for his constituents.

Many of these individuals have been trying for months to meet with the Congressman to discuss numerous issues. To date, no one has had that opportunity. The lack of communication has even caused frustration from members of his own party. 

The individual organizers welcome everyone who wishes to join them in a peaceful display of agitation Saturday at 8 a.m.

CLARIFICATION: A local Democrat Party official wrote to say, "this event isn't organized by the Democratic Party." He felt the headline was misleading. The press release came from the same person who typically sends out press releases from Democrats, and while I don't think the original headline said, per se, the Party is behind the event, I decided to change the headline for this reason: It's long been our policy not to make an issue of partisan affiliation, to not define people by their partisan affiliation, and I did that with the headline and now feel I was being inconsistent with past practice. 

Brian Graz

Why don't all these protestors spend their time, $$, and effort in finding and promoting a candidate of their own? These protests are stupid, what do they accomplish? Just division and hostility. It's become pretty damn disgraceful that the USA has degenerated to the level where it's no longer about working together for the good of the nation, but rather the losing party(s) focus on undermining and destroying the winner.

"A house divided against itself cannot stand" - Abraham Lincoln

Apr 4, 2017, 4:11pm Permalink
Jeffery White

I can't recall 'working together for the good of the nation' being anywhere in the constitution. Probably has something to do with 'the good of the nation' being pretty subjective, they figured that one out 200+ years ago. These people don't feel like Collins is doing things that are 'good for the nation' I reckon?

Apr 4, 2017, 6:58pm Permalink
Roberta White

I can't remember when protest accomplished anything either. Was it Rosa Parks? Martin Luther King Jr.? Civil Rights? Gay rights? Couldn't have been.

Apr 4, 2017, 8:16pm Permalink
Gale Conn-Wright

Brian, they are looking for candidates to run in 2018. Protesting is just part of what they are doing. And the protests have a goal of getting Chris Collins to engage with them. If he would do that, they wouldn't have to spend so much time and energy with protesting.

Apr 4, 2017, 8:54pm Permalink
James Burns

I believe the goal of the protesters is to get their representative to represent what they are asking for. He has different views, they would like to convince him otherwise. As long as they are respectful of traffic and the other business, I would say our system is working.

Apr 4, 2017, 9:00pm Permalink
Jane Cameron

Consider the possibility that your neighbors have very good reasons to sacrifice their Saturday mornings. Have you looked at Chris Collins's record?

Let's take one example:

Last week your Congressman voted in favor of a bill that will rob you of any internet privacy. It allows internet services providers (Comcast, Verizon, Spectrum) to sell information about your online browsing activities without your knowledge or consent. You don't get any money-they make out like bandits on both ends. They charge you for access then they sell your data. Finally, check it out - once this bill becomes law, and Donald Trump *will* sign it, the fine print makes it permanent. That's right - it can't be undone. Your online activity is up for sale and there is nothing you can do about it.

Chris Collins *voted* for that bill last week. http://auburnpub.com/blogs/eye_on_ny/how-they-voted-most-ny-members-of-…

You might want to consider joining your neighbors on Saturday morning.

For more information:
http://money.cnn.com/2017/03/29/technology/internet-privacy-outrage/

Apr 4, 2017, 9:03pm Permalink
Julie Morales

Is it SOP for a Congressman to conduct a fundraiser in order for the people he supposedly represents to have access to him? I don’t understand why the taxpayers Mr. Collins supposedly represents must pay to meet with him. Fifty-five bucks for a cup of coffee is pretty pricey; I wonder if that overspending represents his fiscal policies.

I also don’t understand how wanting to speak with our rep without having to pay a ransom is “undermining and destroying” him. Seems a bit over the top melodramatic.

Apr 4, 2017, 9:11pm Permalink
Fred GUNDELL

David Bellavia was a better candidate than Collins. Unfortunately only 28% of the registered Republicans in the 27th district voted in the primary. Most from Erie County where Collins lives. He is not a good congressman unless you watch CNN. He has plenty of time for CNN and having his picture taken next to a cow now and then. Unfortunately we need better candidates, or people like him will continue to get re elected. He does not respond to constituents, has a staff that does respond sometimes, but does nothing about the problem but pass it along to more bureaucracy.
Peaceful protests can be useful, but will not affect this guy.

Apr 5, 2017, 5:21am Permalink
Don Frank

I just read an article in the Buffalo News that according to the Democratic Chairman of Erie Co., they have a surplus of candidates asking to run against Chris Collins.

Its funny that you never hear about this kind of aggressive, attack style protesting around any democrat candidates. I wonder why that is? I am sure democrat leadership here in Genesee Co. have no idea why this is either. Yeah, Right

Apr 5, 2017, 12:02pm Permalink
Robert Mattice

The article isn't exactly correct. The price is $10 at the door to cover the breakfast. You can join "Collins Coffee Club" for $55 which is a campaign donation. The breakfast isn't $55

Apr 5, 2017, 5:51pm Permalink
david spaulding

hi Don, I was wondering the same thing... I did some research and discovered the rich democrats are handing out money to aggressive protesters. the media call them paid protesters. rest assured the people are not protesting because they are angry about the direction their country is heading.... paid protesters baby. bussed to a town meeting near you.

Apr 5, 2017, 6:38pm Permalink
sarah weatherbee

Actually, Dave, the people gathering Saturday are unpaid locals, and are frustrated with Chris Collins refusal to listen to his constituency.

Apr 5, 2017, 6:58pm Permalink
david spaulding

I love this place ........ this just in, all protesters who wish to get paid must sign in behind the piggly wiggly one hour before town hall meeting. pay based on attitude towards pro gop. The guy in orange wants to punch him in the face. lol ha ha ba ha ha..... damn rumors
Do your part for America become a paid protester. 1099's handed out too, pay your own income tax schmucks.

Apr 5, 2017, 7:40pm Permalink
sarah weatherbee

Actually I do pay my own taxes Dave. I work, but feel the fact that a man who my tax dollars PAY to provide REPRESENTATION is failing to do so. I live not far from Miss Batavia, and will happily be walking down to express my disappointment at Collin's failure to perform the job we pay him to do.

Apr 5, 2017, 8:13pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

David.
Go pro? Do you mean they're gonna pay someone who protests against Go pro's?

Count me in. I always figured they were great little cameras, but, far too expensive for what you get. Why, I'd much rather buy 2 Xiaomi Yi cameras for less than ...

Oops! Sorry, Dave. I must've read your comment before I was fully awake. I see now that you wrote pro gop. My mistake.

Apr 5, 2017, 8:49pm Permalink
Tim Miller

I don't care what party a representative belongs to - grow a pair (internal or external - doesn't matter) and MEET WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

For no charge. In an arena large enough for all who wish to attend to attend. And for a long enough time to let all who wish to speak to speak.

Apr 6, 2017, 2:10pm Permalink

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