On Oct. 3, a group of Fight Back Friday attendees went to the office to find the lights on and no one home. They put up posters on the door representing their messages, and came back on Oct. 10 to find them in the trash.
In the dark corner office, opened letters addressed the Meusers were visible to the group — showing that Meuser, or another person who opens his mail, had been in town recently.
Most of the rooms in Meuser's Williamsport office space appeared as if no one had ever set foot inside since basic computers, desks, and chairs were delivered.
Williamsport, Pa. — Protesters say they found the doors locked at Congressman Dan Meuser’s Williamsport satellite office during their weekly “Fight Back Friday” gathering.
Action Together NEPA has been holding “Fight Back Fridays” outside Meuser’s Williamsport office for several weeks, urging the congressman to hold a public, in-person town hall. Members have voiced concerns about what they call a lack of transparency and accessibility from Meuser and his staff.
At their most recent gathering on Oct. 10, the group were shocked to find the building's doors locked and Meuser's office space inexplicably empty.
Around 2:15 p.m., one participant said she briefly entered the building before staff locked the doors. “I was a little early, and the doors were open,” the protester said. “I walked right in , and then I left.”
Another attendee added, “We saw a gentleman in a blue jacket lock the doors and brace them. There were only two of us out here at the time. We were still getting set up. We had no signs, nothing. It’s wild to me. It’s a public building. It’s a government office.”
The small group said this has become a pattern, with office staff allegedly locking the doors when protesters arrive, despite the office being listed as open during business hours. Some employees who work in other offices of the building were locked out and did not know why.
Emily Gale, a state manager for Supermajority, pulled at the door on Friday — but it did not budge.
Laura Ulrich
“We’ve seen three people trying to just do their job, and they can’t do it because they lock the door for whatever reason,” one person said. “They know we come every Friday. They’re not shy about it.”
Organizers say they have been visiting the office weekly for five weeks but have only managed to speak with one staff member, “Tom, from the Pottsville office,” one participant recalled, for about five minutes as he exited the building.
No lights were on in the office space, but in the distance, a light could be seen from the building's main hallway on the first floor.
Laura Ulrich
In the past, signs have been placed on the office's front door directing anyone trying to get in contact with Meuser's team to call or email James May, the representative's regional director.
“We were told to call and make an appointment,” another added. “But you can’t when you call. The voicemail is full. You can’t even leave a message.”
Several attendees expressed frustration that they are unable to reach Meuser’s staff or see any signs of activity in the office. Peering in the windows, several noted that the lights were off, unplugged computer monitors sat on desks, and rooms were sparsely furnished — spare what appeared to be Meuser's personal office.
Most of the rooms in Meuser's Williamsport office space appeared as if no one had ever set foot inside since basic computers, desks, and chairs were delivered.
Laura Ulrich
“Why are we paying for this office?” one protester asked, pointing through the window. “There’s nothing in there that looks like it’s being used. It’s a waste of taxpayer money.”
In the dark corner office, opened letters addressed the Meusers were visible to the group — showing that Meuser, or another person who opens his mail, had been in town recently.
Laura Ulrich
Opened letters addressed to Meuser could be seen on the blue-walled corner office's desk.
On Oct. 3, a group of Fight Back Friday attendees went to the office to find the lights on and no one home. They put up posters on the door representing their messages, and came back on Oct. 10 to find them in the trash.
Rob Barkley / Laura Ulrich
A trash can next to the desk was filled with posters that last week's group of protestors posted on the office's front door.
The office’s location also confused some participants. Although online listings identify the congressman’s office as being on the fourth floor, signage on the first floor indicates the office is located there instead. “People go upstairs looking for it, come back down, and realize it’s right here,” one said.
A small paper sign near the building's entrance let the group know that the office was to be closed the following Monday for Columbus Day. No signs indicated that it was to be closed that day, Friday. Additionally, a sign on the office door on Oct. 3 stated that the office was to be open and fully functional during the ongoing government shutdown.
Protesters said their gatherings are peaceful and aimed at accountability, not confrontation. “We’re not going in there with guns. We just have questions,” said one. “He’s getting paid with our tax money. One of his jobs is to be in direct contact with constituents during recess. Why isn’t he holding town hall meetings?”
The group huddled up for a photo before leaving — unsatisfied.
Rob Barkley
After a few hours, the gathering dispersed. The office door stayed locked, and constituents' concerns went unheard.
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