East End Residents To Demonstrate Outside Zeldin's Office, Voice Trump Concerns

A group of East End residents deeply concerned about president elect Donald Trump will demonstrate outside Congressman Lee Zeldin's office, sharing their personal stories and greatest fears.

The demonstration, scheduled for Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m., will take place at Zeldin's office, located at 30 West Main Street in Riverhead, organizers said.

Three speakers are expected to voice concerns, with more than 40 voters from the both the North and South Forks slated to let "Lee Zeldin know not all his constituents support the Trump agenda," organizers said.

Constituents of the NY's 1st district will present Zeldin's office with "stacks of letters outlining our positions on Trump's transition appointments and his promises re: health care, DACA, conflicts of interest and the rise in discrimination," organizers said.

Speakers include Anne Trimble of Trimble's Nursery in Cutchogue, who will speak on immigration, Jim Shaw, a North Fork business owner, who will speak on LGBTQ rights, and Julie Sheenan of East Quogue on the Affordable Care Act.

The North Fork based group has a change.org petition, "Tell Lee Zeldin We Reject the Trump Agenda," which has 47 supporters so far out of 100 sought, and a Facebook group, "Let's Visit Lee Zeldin."

"Many people in the community have been discussing their many concerns since the election: including but not limited to the rise in hate crimes nationally, concerns for the local immigrant population, Russian interference in the election, many of Trump's Cabinet nominees, climate change denial, and the plan to take away healthcare for millions of Americans," said Greenport mom Kathryn Quigley, who helped to organize the gathering.

"We recognize that it is imperative that our elected leaders hear from us regarding these concerns. Congressman Zeldin is our direct link to what happens in Washington. Residents from Riverhead, Shelter Island and the North and South Forks will meet tomorrow with staff from Congressman Lee Zeldin's office to share their stories and how they will be directly affected by potential legislation, to present letters regarding their concerns from dozens of constituents, to ensure that the congressman knows that his constituents are paying attention and that we are asking him to pay attention to all the people he represents," she said.

Zeldin is not expected to be at his Riverhead office; he will be in Washington, DC, where, organizers said, they believe Republicans in Congress intend to take their first steps toward repealing the Affordable Care Act.

"The Congressman always appreciates hearing from constituents and encourages an open dialogue with residents in NY-1," a statement from Zeldin's office read.

The letter that the group plans to present to Zeldin reads as follows:

"Dear Mr. Zeldin,

We are your constituents in NY’s First Congressional District. We are writing to express some concerns regarding the incoming administration and the 115th session of Congress. Some of our specific concerns are detailed below and we ask that you, as our representative, take these concerns into consideration and act in accordance with them in your actions, words and votes in the coming months.

Preserving the Affordable Care Act. We are deeply concerned about the plan to repeal ACA, and that there is no sufficient plan to replace it. This act has been successful in ensuring that more of your district’s residents have access to the healthcare they need. We ask that you vote against any legislation that has a goal of repealing this act, especially without providing comparable alternatives for millions of Americans. We fundamentally oppose a path of “repeal and delay.”

Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election and congressional races. We ask that you vocally support your Senate colleagues calling for a special select committee to investigate the Russian hacking of DNC and DCCC emails, and the hacking of the private e-mails of John Podesta. Such an investigation is crucial to insuring the integrity of our electoral system. A special select committee, including representatives of the Foreign Affairs/Relations and committees (on which you serve), the Armed Services committees and the Intelligence committees, rather than a subcommittee of the Intelligence committee (as proposed by Sen. McConnell) is essential to insuring that the public is made fully aware of the extent to which Russia has tried to interfere in our electoral process.

The President-Elect’s many conflicts of interest. We ask you to call on the President-elect to divest himself of his business interests and put his assets in a true blind trust during his tenure as president. While the President-elect may not be under legal obligation to so, we remind you that the mere appearance of impropriety is likely to cast a cloud over the incoming administration.

Preserving Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Many of your constituents are immigrants, whose family members benefit from this act. We request that you oppose any legislation introduced that would threaten many residents in your district.

The rise in hate crimes and discriminatory and racist acts, locally and nationally. Given the diversity of your district, and that it hosts a well-known KKK group, it is vital that you proactively speak out against any and all divisive and hateful actions and speech that put minorities and our democracy at risk. We also fundamentally and vehemently oppose any new legislation that discriminates against people for their race, religion, gender or sexual identity, including the First Amendment Defense Act, and any bans on Muslims or Muslim registries. We ask you to do the same.

Steve Bannon as senior advisor. Given Bannon’s history of promoting white nationalism and the “alt-right” agenda, he is an exceptionally poor choice for such a pivotal position within a new administration. We ask that you add your voice to the others seeking to prevent this non-Senate-confirmation appointment.

Michael Flynn as National Security Advisor. A documented history of sharing classified material (something that should especially concern you as a former MI officer and as an active member of the Army Reserve), spreading fake news, and close ties with Russia disqualify him for the role. Although Gen. Flynn is not subject to Senate confirmation, we urge you to oppose his taking on the role of National Security Advisor.

The President-elect’s Cabinet nominees. We ask you to officially call for in-depth investigations of these individuals during the confirmation process, and commit to opposing those nominations, and urging your Senate colleagues to do the same, if evidence is presented that a nominated individual are either manifestly unqualified, or holds or has held, positions contrary to the interests of the United States or our founding principles.

• Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State. Given his history of acting in opposition to US policies, his lack of government experience and his concerning ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin, there is nothing to qualify him to represent this nation’s interests abroad. Mr. Tillerson’s predecessor as Exxon-Mobil CEO has stated that Exxon-Mobil is NOT an American company, but an international one, and what’s good for Exxon-Mobil is not always what’s good for the United States.
• Jeff Sessions as Attorney General. His racist statements, demeaning comments about Muslims and skepticism of climate change are deeply troubling. We need a nominee who will defend all people in this country, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual identity. Sen. Sessions position on climate change is particularly worrisome to those of us on the East End.
• Scott Pruitt to lead the EPA. A climate change denier and promoter of fossil fuels as the primary energy source, Pruitt has demonstrated that he will not adequately protect our nation and world from the devastating effects of climate change.
• Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary. With no background in education and a proven track record of opposition to public schools, DeVos’ appointment will bring to the national scene an individual devoid of the skills and knowledge necessary to promote and improve the education of our nation’s children.
• Andrew Puzder as labor secretary. Mr Puzder is on the record in opposition to a fair minimum raise and access to overtime. This restaurant owner is also on the record for wishing to build one that is “employee free.”

We commit to remaining in communication with you regarding these issues, and others, as they arise.

We believe the United States of America and the First District are already great, and that Americans and Long Islanders are best served by a government that protects the most vulnerable, ensures freedom and opportunity for all, and strengthens the institutions that help keep our environment, country and people safe, educated and healthy. We ask you to act with those values in mind in your role as our elected representative.

Thank you for your time and consideration of our deeply held concerns."