Protesters held what they called an "Alternative Town Hall" meeting outside of the Fairview City Hall where U.S. Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn took questions in a Town Hall meeting.
The event started at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday with Rep. Blackburn, Mayor Patti Carroll and the Fairview Board of Commissioners.
There was a large response to the meeting and, according to a release, the event was full. City officials were forced to open the meeting to only Fairview residents.
While Blackburn took questions inside, people rallied at the “alternative” town hall. The crowd chanted and speakers talked about their frustrations with the current administration.
Event organizer Bernie Ellis explained that as part of the alternative town hall, constituents of congressman Blackburn recorded messages and questions for Blackburn which will be sent to her office.
“This really is an opportunity to go on tape asking the representative a question or sharing a concern with her, something that I don’t think has ever been done in this kind of way," he said.
Ellis said he hopes more events like the alternative town hall will be held both here in Tennessee, and around the country.
“I’d love to see hundreds of these events occurring," Ellis said, adding that he'd like them with a slight change. "I’d love for them to be occurring with representatives standing up front. If it takes Titans stadium, lets use Titans stadium.”
Congressman Blackburn did address the crowd briefly after the town hall meeting, saying she appreciates the opinions of her constituents and hopes they can work together in the future.
