Protesters target McCormick's Scranton office
A group of protesters gathered outside U.S. Sen. David McCormick's office in Scranton on Monday to criticize Elon Musk's involvement in the Trump administration.
Organized by Action Together NEPA and billed as 'Mondays With McCormick,' the group demanded McCormick represent all constituents equally, said Jessica Brittain, the bipartisan nonprofit's communications director. She citied issues surrounding Musk's 'illegal takeover of many parts of the federal government.'
About 100 people attended.
'We're asking (senators) to speak out, because these issues are affecting their constituents,' she said. She pointed to the Trump administration freezing funds of federal agencies that provide services, leaving community organizations in the lurch concerning their expected funding and rendering Medicaid portals inaccessible.
'People deserve better, and they want their federal representatives to speak out against that,' Brittain said. She said a similar effort took place last week at the office of U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa.
She said they intend to hold lawmakers accountable, including House members such as U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-8, Dallas Twp. Brittain reported many of the protesters had trouble accessing the office by phone, but left messages for McCormick. She said many were optimistic about a social media post by McCormick's office indicating people had been contacting his office in recent days.
'It said they had heard from a lot of people, so we do know based on that that the message was getting through,' she said. 'That's the goal, to make sure that these folks who represent us are hearing from their constituents and taking their concerns seriously.'
Brittain said another organization, Indivisible, was also involved in planning the event, and also explained that a large number of members of Action Together NEPA were all native to Northeast Pennsylvania. Move On and Working Families Party were also mentioned on graphics associated with the event.
Lisa Wilkins, the secretary of the Wyoming County Democratic Women's Society, said a group from Susquehanna County committed to traveling to McCormick's office in Scranton to make their voices heard.
'We want Senator McCormick to know he needs to represent all of his constituents,' she said. 'That includes Democrats.'
Wilkins voiced concerns about Musk, particularly his having access to 'everyone's information that should be private.'
'God only knows what he's done with it,' she said.
Joanne Yanchick, of Hunlock Twp., a retired elementary school special ed teacher and education coach, said people traveled from many counties to protest.
'Pike, Lehigh Valley, Wyoming, Luzerne, Bradford, people came from out of the area to be there,' she said, adding the energy was good. 'People were very upbeat, they were united, people were honking horns in support.'
Yanchick was concerned that defunding the Department of Education would hurt children.
'It's just so concerning with the public school setting, there's so much need and cutting that is just going to devastate them,' she said.
Organizing Director of Action Together Northeast PA Jessica Steward Brittain speaks to supporters outside of the office of U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick to protest Elon Musk and President Donald Trump in Scranton Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)Protesters gather outside of the office of U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick to speak out against the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency Elon Musk and President Donald Trump Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)Protesters hold signs outside of the office of U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick to speak out against Elon Musk and President Donald Trump in Scranton Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)Protesters hold signs outside of the office of U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick to speak out against the price of eggs in Scranton Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)Jeff Grisewood, of Berwick, speaks into the megaphone during a protest outside of the office of U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick on Lackawanna Avenue in downtown Scranton Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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