On Sunday night, Congressman Mike Lawler faced a loud and hostile crowd during a town hall at Clarkstown South High School, an event open to residents of New York’s 17th Congressional District. A Monsey Scoop reporter was present and witnessed the repeated booing, shouting, and disruptions that dominated much of the evening.
The town hall, held April 27th, was part of Lawler’s ongoing efforts to engage directly with constituents. Throughout the event, Lawler remained composed as he took questions on a range of topics, including immigration, foreign aid, and antisemitism, even as many attendees grew increasingly combative.
The Monsey Scoop reporter observed people chanting over Lawler’s remarks, booing him when he spoke about combating antisemitism, and even when he asked the audience to join him in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Some individuals made offensive gestures, shouted insults, and confronted Lawler’s staff members. Several disruptive attendees were eventually removed from the auditorium by Clarkstown Police to restore order.
Outside the high school, demonstrators held signs accusing Lawler of failing to “work for the people” — despite the town hall being organized specifically in response to constituent requests for more direct engagement.
Despite the turmoil, Lawler stood firm and continued answering questions for over an hour. He addressed contentious issues such as border security, federal spending, and support for Israel and Ukraine, striving to maintain dialogue in a highly charged atmosphere.
The Monsey Scoop reporter described the behavior witnessed as “pure harassment, pure hatred, and a lot of childish conduct,” adding that “there was simply no pleasing some people, no matter how open and responsive Lawler tried to be.”
Following the event, Lawler reiterated his commitment to staying accessible to his constituents, stating he would “continue to show up, continue to listen, and continue to do my job — even when it’s not easy.”
The town hall was part of Congressman Lawler’s broader effort to update voters on legislative priorities, discuss federal initiatives, and provide constituent services.
