NW Louisiana Residents Share Concerns at Town Hall Meeting

by: Dr. Kirkpatrick Williams

Residents from across Northwest Louisiana gathered Thursday evening at Grace United Methodist Church to participate in a town hall meeting hosted by 10,000 Women Louisiana and Indivisible North Louisiana. The event was part of a broader statewide town hall tour aimed at providing constituents a platform to voice their concerns to members of Congress.

Approximately 200 attendees were present, with 25 residents stepping forward to address the issues they find most pressing. Though Louisiana’s congressional delegation was invited to attend, none were able to be present. Instead, photos of Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, along with Representatives Julia Letlow, Cleo Fields, and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, were displayed on chairs to symbolize their roles in the discussion.

Speakers raised a variety of concerns, including perceived cuts to health programs and the treatment of federal employees under the Trump administration. One speaker described the current political climate as a “constitutional freefall.”

Questions were also raised about a $400 million plane reportedly donated by the royal family of Qatar, with one speaker, identifying as a federal employee, commenting on the importance of maintaining professional integrity by refusing gifts of any kind.

Several speakers expressed frustration with what they described as a lack of cooperation among branches of government and concerns over the priorities of cabinet members appointed during the Trump administration. One participant said the focus seemed more on dismantling government systems than on effective governance.

For those who preferred not to speak publicly, organizers provided alternative options to share their views. Attendees were able to submit written comments on index cards or record private video messages. Organizers plan to compile all messages and forward them to the appropriate congressional offices.