Cory Booker Urges Activism at New Jersey Town Hall Amid Protests

PARAMUS, N.J. — Senator Cory Booker rallied supporters at a public forum in a Bergen Community College gym on Saturday, urging them to take action against President Donald Trump’s agenda. The event coincided with over 1,200 nationwide protests dubbed “Hands Off!” on the same day.

Booker’s appearance was marked by bursts of enthusiastic support, with attendees shouting “Cory, Cory,” contrasted by at least six disruptions from protesters. This marked Booker’s first in-person event in his home state since an impassioned Senate speech earlier in the week, where he spoke for 25 hours and five minutes in a historic protest against Trump policies, breaking the previous record set by segregationist Senator Strom Thurmond.

During the Q&A session, attendees expressed their concerns about the administration’s policies and sought guidance on how they could show their dissent. Booker challenged them to step out of their comfort zones, suggesting they could advocate against budget cuts by traveling to Washington, D.C. One of the loudest applause came after he addressed a woman worried about potential Medicaid cuts affecting her autistic son.

“A meeting like this cannot be the end of our activism,” Booker emphasized. “This has to be a moment in America where we all begin to ask, ‘What else can I do?’”

The questions posed to Booker echoed sentiments shared by many voters and fellow Democrats at public forums. He stressed his desire to shift focus away from intra-party rivalry and placed a stronger emphasis on serving “the people of our country.”

“I believe the Democratic Party lost many elections because people didn’t think we cared about them. So let’s stop worrying about politics and focus more on the people,” he declared.

Lisa Dunn, a 41-year-old special education teacher from Jersey City, attended the rainy Saturday event due to her concerns about the government’s policies negatively impacting vulnerable populations. She expressed gratitude for Booker’s recent Senate speech, stating, “At least he’s doing something.”

Booker, who previously ran for president in 2020, indicated he is focused on running for re-election to the Senate in 2026, with plans for 2028 to unfold naturally. At 55, Booker is currently in his second full Senate term and serves as chair of the Strategic Communications Committee, aiming to enhance the visibility of Democratic senators on social media through more frequent and casual content.

As the event progressed, six disruptions occurred, including protests addressing the treatment of Palestinians, leading police to escort the demonstrators out of the venue. Booker responded to the interruptions, affirming, “I hear you and I see you.”