Video: Partisan Protesters Send Messages to Meehan

American flags, political signs and honking cars dominated the Springfield office of U.S. Congressman Patrick Meehan’s (R-7th Dist.), as three separate groups—from three separate political parties—scheduled parallel protests on the same day.

by John Fennell, a Democrat from Bridgeport, along with help from the Americans United For Change organization. Fennell stated that he's unhappy with Meehan's lack of action, and wants to see his representative cross party lines to get a deal done.

"The longer they push back the vote on the debt ceiling, the more we have a chance of ruining our credit as a county," said Fennell. "We've got Republicans here, we've got Tea Party members here, we've got Democrats here, and all of them will be effected by that, and that's something that we all need to be concerned about."

Fennell, who is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, added that he believes his representative is looking out for the wrong people.

"The fact that he's not going forward and looking out for us says to me—and it should say to everyone else—that he's only looking out for the top 2 percent, and not the other 98 percent who are out there struggling,"

Norristown Patch's freelance political columnist took the day off to make sure his voice was heard, engaging in discussions with various protestors and ultimately speaking to representatives from Meehan's office.

"I hope he is that decent guy that I shook hands with," said Ferraro, referencing a prior meeting between Meehan and himself. "We have to be Americans first, and really get past this two avenue mindset."

On the Republican and Tea Party sides, residents showed equal frustration with the lack of a debt ceiling resolution, but they arrived to show support for their congressman and his stance on the issue.

"The federal government is doing things that is has absolutely no business doing under our constitution," said Dave Nelson, of Glen Mills. 

"As a very small first step, cut-cap-and balance makes a lot of sense.  It probably doesn't go far enough, but it makes a lot of sense at this point," added Nelson, in reference to the bill which Meehan supports.

Along with other Meehan supporters, Nelson stated that he was made aware of the Democratic protest via an email received from Meehan's office. When contacted for confirmation, Press Secretary Maureen Keith firmly denied that any such email had been sent.

"That is incorrect," said Keith. "Congressman Meehan’s office did not contact anyone about it."

It was originally reported that Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey urged people to come out to support Meehan but that was not the case.

Keith also relayed the congressman's official comments regarding the protest.

“Americans across the political spectrum are frustrated with the ongoing debt limit negotiations," read the statement. "I respect their ability to exercise their First Amendment right.”

Despite the presence of more than 50 people from three different schools of thought, the scene remained peaceful. Two officers from the Springfield Police Department were stationed in the parking lot for the duration of the protest, but overall, discussions were civil and almost academic in tone. 

Outside of one Meehan supporter having an expletive thrown her way, there were no altercations of any kind, much to the delight of one of the police officers.

"Seeing people out here being responsible about it (protesting) and exercising their rights is a beautiful thing," said the police officer, who refused to identify himself.

By 12:30 p.m., the protesters began to leave, though a group of Meehan supports stayed behind and went into his office. 

The consensus of the protesters was that they were happy to attend, and departed feeling as though they accomplished what they had set out to do.

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