Congressman Lawler to hold town hall at Mahopac HS

In Lawler's May town hall at Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School in Somers, a woman was carried out by police after shouting, “Answer my question! Answer my question!” at Lawler.

In a May 5 statement, a spokesperson for the congressman said the woman repeatedly engaged in "abusive and combative behavior with staff and disrupting nearby attendees. She was escorted from the auditorium when she continually refused to comply with New York state troopers.”

That followed an April 27 forum in Clarkstown reportedly attended by 700 people that devolved into recurring confrontations between the congressman and the crowd, with shouting from the audience at times drowning him out.

For the Mahopac town hall, attendees must be residents of New York’s 17th Congressional District and must show proof of residency at the door. Those who cannot show proof will be asked to leave. Lawler’s office also reserves the right to deny entry to anyone believed to be planning a disruption or who has disrupted previous events.

Each attendee must RSVP individually, and names must be provided for any extra tickets. Signing up means agreeing to the posted rules.

Only ticket holders whose numbers are drawn during the event may ask questions. Questions are limited to 30 seconds and must be asked by the selected individual.

Attendees must remain seated and refrain from shouting or disrupting the event. Bags, signs, face coverings, bullhorns, and other noisemakers will not be allowed. Violators may be removed at the discretion of law enforcement or staff. Those who fail the security screening will also be asked to leave.

Accredited members of the press will be permitted to record from a designated area. All other attendees are prohibited from using recording devices, tripods, or flash photography.

The Town Hall starts at 6 p.m.; doors open at 5 p.m. Mahopac High School is at 421 Baldwin Place Road in Mahopac.