Two days ago, a crowd of local citizen activists from Upstate New York's North Country and Upper Hudson Valley regions gathered outside of the Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls, New York as Washington D.C. political operative Elise Stefanik held a fundraiser with House Speaker John Boehner for her run for Congress in the 21st Congressional District. The activists, dubbed "Elitists for Elise," dressed up as CEOs, lobbyists and millionaires at a mock greeting of Stefanik's event with the House Speaker.
The protest was organized by Joe Seeman, the Saratoga MoveOn.org council coordinator.
From WAMC Northeast Public Radio, September 24, 2014:
"On the sidewalk, a group of protesters organized through MoveOn.org accused Boehner of raising corporate cash for the candidate who aims to become the youngest woman ever elected to Congress."
"“Get out of here, peasant! Go buy your own politician!”"
"Joe Seeman of Ballston Spa, wearing a top hat and sunglasses, disguised himself as “Rob M. Blind”, a “billionaire” as part of a group called “Elitists for Elite.”"
"“We know that with a Republican Congress, with John Boehner, and maybe with Elise Stefanik, we’ll make sure we don’t do anything to stop burning oil, we don’t do anything to protect the environment, because the Republicans are there to protect corporate profits for the One Percent,” said Seeman."
"Organizer Susan Weber of Lake George was operating a marionette puppet with an image of Stefanik’s face."
"“We think we don’t need another GOP do-nothing Congressperson in Washington, and we certainly don’t need a GOP Congressperson representing the 21st District.”"
"Weber did not disclose which candidate she supports in the race to replace retiring Democrat Bill Owens. Democrat Aaron Woolf and Green Party candidate Matt Funiciello are running against Stefanik."
"Woolf commented on Boehner’s visit in a campaign press release sent out Tuesday, saying “Elise Stefanik must call on the Speaker to stop obstructing progress and hold a vote on increasing the minimum wage and passing the Buffett Rule.”"
From
North Country Public Radio, September 24, 2014:
"Last night’s event was closed to the press and the general public. Neither Boehner nor Stefanik made appearances. A small group of protesters gathered outside the Queensbury Hotel."
"Joe Siemen from Ballston Spa stood on the sidewalk dressed in a top hat carrying a fat cigar, looking sort of like that character on the Monopoly board game. He introduced himself as "Rob M. Blind of the Elitists for Elise." Siemen said he's disgusted by the role of money in politics. He shows his disgust by pretending to love the way modern American politics is awash in cash. "We're here to show our love for John Boehner. I mean, Boehner is the guy who handed out checks from tobacco companies on the House floor.""
"There is a lot of street theater here; the crowd of a dozen or so people wear costumes, carry masks, and pound on drums. They chant "We own Stefanik! We own Stefanik!" But there is also a lot of real anger. Diana Wright traveled to the protest from Albany. "He's evil, he's a terrorist, he's psychotic," Wright said, speaking of Boehner. She insisted the Republican House leader "should be impeached.""
"Social Security a big concern"
"Doug Kline from Milton said he'll be voting for Democrat Aaron Woolf in November because Kline believes Social Security and Medicare should be maintained without any form of privatization. "I don't understand why Mr. Boehner and Ms. Stefanik want to take those things away from us.""
From the
Glens Falls Post Star, September 24, 2014:
"A group of slightly more than a dozen protesters organized by the Saratoga MoveOn Team, part of the progressive activist group Saratoga MoveOn.org, spent an hour on the sidewalk outside of the Queensbury Hotel while House Speaker John A. Boehner, R-Ohio, was inside at a fundraising event to raise campaign cash for Republican, Conservative and Independent parties congressional candidate Elise M. Stefanik.
The small group was whittled down to nine by the end of an hour, but they were a feisty and animated bunch, with several dressed as “billionaire members of ‘Elitists For Elise,’ ” including one man who would identify himself only as “Rob M. Blind,” who wore a black, plastic top hat and railed about Ms. Stefanik caring only about corporate profits."