On April 24th, 350 Wisconsin, with NAOMI (the WISDOM affiliate), Citizens Climate Lobby Rib Mountain-Marshfield Chapter, North Central Wisconsin Indivisible, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, and North Central WI Central Labor Council, held a People’s Town Hall event in Wausau, as part of the All Out on Earth Day national mobilization. The event drew a full-capacity crowd with approximately 80 people in attendance.

Following a nationwide trend, Representative Tom Tiffany has stopped holding public events and has declined numerous requests from his constituents for meetings. Multiple outreach efforts inviting Mr. Tiffany to join the town hall were declined.

Residents of Ashland, Sayner, Boulder Junction, Marshfield, Neillsville, Barron, Tomahawk, Lac du Flambeau, Mosinee, Merrill, Wausau, and others from across WI-7 attended the town hall. A wide variety of concerns were raised during the event including: protecting Veterans’ rights; access to critical health care; considerations for aging and vulnerable populations; the protection of social security, Medicare, and Medicaid; the many negative impacts of climate and environmental degradation; the vital role of immigrants in Wisconsin; voting rights; cuts to crucial federal funding; and much more. Some indicated that they had voted for Mr. Tiffany, expressing their disappointment and stating that they would not be reelecting him.

Our Organizer, Britnie, said, “The turnout for this town hall was nothing short of amazing. There were folks representing nearly every nook and cranny of Wisconsin’s 7th. People felt validated and safe, and many who hadn’t signed up to speak ended up being inspired to do so on the spot. This was a true testament to the power of coming together as neighbors, and it’s a real shame that Rep. Tiffany refused to join us.”

The town hall was recorded and delivered to Rep. Tiffany, ensuring he is able to hear the people he represents, regardless of his attendance.