Josh RIley Shows Up At Anti-Trump Protest In Ithaca
This weekend, Congressman Josh Riley did something simple, but extremely important. He attended a street protest against Donald Trump being held on the Ithaca Commons.
Just as important as the fact that Josh Riley showed up at the protest was the way that he did it.
Congressman Riley did not grandstand. He didn’t gather people around him under the nearby pavilion to listen to him give a speech. He didn’t show up with a security entourage, or a public relations team to shield or screen his contact with Ithaca voters.
Josh Riley simply walked across the street, said hello to a group of people at the protest, and started talking with them. He spoke, but he also listened to others.
Josh Riley wasn’t giving a performance out of being at the protest. He didn’t announce his arrival as a member of Congress. He didn’t have anyone taking pictures of him or gathering quotes from the crowd for publication.
He was just there, and he stayed there, talking to many people, at great length, for 20 or 25 minutes.
Josh Riley’s presence was low key, but it was sincere.
This is the second time I’ve seen Josh Riley stop by a protest in Ithaca for a while to talk with people. These kinds of contacts show that Riley is aware of the efforts of protesters, but they also demonstrate that he’s open to hearing the points of view of activists in Ithaca.
Many people across the district have been frustrated that Congressman Riley has not had an in-person town hall meeting with voters yet, and keeps most of his schedule private from constituents who would like to talk with him. These are valid, sincere concerns. Opportunities for contact with Josh Riley have been too haphazard.
Nonetheless, it’s important to note when Josh Riley does show up, when he does engage. During this Saturday’s protest, Josh Riley did the right thing.
Also doing the right thing were the Tompkins County residents who showed up on Saturday, and have been showing up at regular street protests in Ithaca ever since the inauguration of Donald Trump. They have come out to demonstrate resistance to the authoritarian crimes and abuses of Donald Trump week after week, whether it’s snowing or raining or a nice sunny day.
These people are making a difference. To them, I say thank you.
