Town hall with Rep. Darrell Issa draws large audience, protesters

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO – At least 1,000 south Orange County and San Diego County residents of the 49th Congressional district converged at San Juan Hills High School for a town hall with Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, Saturday morning, June 3.

About an hour before the 9 a.m. town hall, a raucous group opposing President Donald Trump’s administration and trying to unseat Issa in 2018, chanted, sang songs against congressman and held signs detailing support for everything from women’s reproductive rights to the Paris climate accord.

Issa’s supporters, meanwhile, stood quietly in line to enter the high school’s auditorium.

Counter-protesters line the front of San Juan Hills High School where Republican Rep. Darrell Issa is having a town hall on Saturday, June 3. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register/SCNG)
While a large audience waited to enter into an auditorium to hear Republican Rep. Darrell Issa speak at a town hall, counter-protesters lined the front of San Juan Hills High School on Saturday, June 3. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Counter-protesters line the front of San Juan Hills High School where Republican Rep. Darrell Issa is having a townhall on Saturday, June 3. A large audience waited to enter into the auditorium to hear Issa speak. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register/SCNG)
While a large audience waited to enter into an auditorium to hear Republican Rep. Darrell Issa speak at a town hall, counter-protesters lined the front of San Juan Hills High School on Saturday, June 3. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Congressman Darrell Issa pauses from answering a question as the crowd erupts waving signs agreeing or disagreeing with actions taken by Issa voting for the American Health Care Act during a town hall meeting at San Juan Hills High School in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, June 3, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
Rep. Darrel Issa retorts to a constituent making a claim Issa disagrees with during a town hall meeting at San Juan Hills High School in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, June 3, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
Republican Rep. Darrell Issa speaks to a crowd gathered during a town hall meeting at San Juan Hills High School in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, June 3, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
A constituent upset with Rep. Darrell Issa raises signs showing her feelings during a town hall meeting at San Juan Hills High School in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, June 3, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
A constituent expresses disagreement with Rep. Darrell Issa during a town hall meeting at San Juan Hills High School in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, June 3, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
Rep. Darrell Issa speaks to a full audience during a town hall meeting at San Juan Hills High School in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, June 3, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
Wendy Patterson of San Diego leads protestorts in a chant before a town hall meeting at San Juan Hills High School in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, June 3, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
Arthur Schaper of Torrance debates with Barbara Schiffler of Encinitas about President Trump before a town hall meeting with Republican Rep. Darrell Issa at San Juan Hills High School in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, June 3, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
Protestors gather outside before a town hall meeting at San Juan Hills High School in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, June 3, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
Miriam Clark of Encinitas sits with protest signs before a town hall meeting at San Juan Hills High School in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, June 3, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
Congressman Darrell Issa speaks at a Town Hall meeting on Saturday morning in San Juan Capistrano. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Congressman Darrell Issa speaks at a Town Hall meeting on Saturday morning in San Juan Capistrano. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Congressman Darrell Issa speaks at a Town Hall meeting on Saturday morning in San Juan Capistrano. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Congressman Darrell Issa speaks at a Town Hall meeting on Saturday morning in San Juan Capistrano. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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“He’s more moderate than, say Mimi Walters,” said Thea Dunlevie, 19, a UCLA student and San Juan Capistrano resident, referring to another Orange County representative. “He deserves credit for that.”

About 30 minutes before the town hall, she discussed Issa not supporting Trump’s withdrawal from Paris, and his advocacy for a special prosecutor in the investigation into Russia’s involvement in the Trump campaign.

“He’s not in Trump’s pocket,” she said.

Others, though, were not so sure.

“We’re in a political reality where they (representatives) support the party, not the people,” said Kit Dameron, 71, of San Diego, who wants to unseat Issa.

Issa won his seat again in November, but squeaked by, and Dameron and her daughter, Kristen O’Connor, said they feel confident outrage at Trump and the Republican Party can improve Democrat’s usually tepid performance in midterm elections.

“People are so outraged,” Dameron said, “people are more engaged in civics. It’s encouraging.”

Similar crowds attended a town hall with the congressman in March.

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Town hall with Rep. Darrell Issa draws large audience, protesters

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