In Paramus, New Jersey, Democratic Senator Cory Booker engaged with constituents at a town hall meeting held at Bergen Community College over the weekend. This meeting followed his extended Senate floor speech, which set a new record as the longest ever, lasting 25 hours and 5 minutes. Booker’s address targeted opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies, urging attendees to discover ways to actively resist these agendas.
The event coincided with over 1,200 “Hands Off!” protests scheduled nationwide and was marked by enthusiastic chants of “Cory, Cory” as well as disruptions from protesters. It was Booker’s first in-person appearance in his home state following his marathon speech, which surpassed the record previously held by segregationist Senator Strom Thurmond from 1957.
People at the town hall sought advice on how they could express their disagreement with the current administration’s policies. Booker emphasized the need for action, such as potential visits to Washington to lobby against proposed budget cuts. One significant moment was a response to a mother concerned about Medicaid cuts affecting her autistic son, which drew substantial applause.
“This gathering must be the beginning of our activism, not the end,” Booker stated. “We need to ask ourselves, what more can we do?” He emphasized prioritizing the American people over political strategy, reflecting a sentiment that Democrats have lost elections by failing to show they care about citizens’ concerns.
The crowd included individuals like Lisa Dunn, a special education teacher from Jersey City, who expressed apprehension over the Trump administration’s policies and commended Booker’s Senate speech. Although she wished for clear actions to take, she understood the complexity of the situation and stressed the importance of staying informed.
Post-event, Booker highlighted the importance of creative activism, drawing parallels to civil rights leaders like John Lewis. He warned against passivity in the face of political challenges, stressing the need for proactive measures to effect change.
Having previously run for president in 2020, Booker stated his primary focus is on his upcoming Senate reelection in 2026, with future political ambitions for 2028 remaining undefined. Booker, who chairs the Senate’s Strategic Communications Committee, aims to enhance the digital presence of Senate Democrats, leveraging his extensive social media following.
His committee is transforming into a hub for experimenting with and coordinating digital content strategies tailored to various Senators’ needs. Despite his own success on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, Booker is directing efforts towards amplifying his colleagues’ engagement and digital strategies.
The town hall wasn’t without tension, notably six disruptions by individuals protesting the treatment of Palestinians, leading to their removal by gymnasium police. Yet Booker acknowledged their concerns, stating, “I hear you and I see you.”