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(Video) Protester Ejected from Congressman's Town Hall

Fred Coronel, an activist from Glendale, was ejected after disrupting a town hall hosted by Congressman Xavier Becerra on Tuesday night.

A "coffee" hosted by Congressman Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles) at the New World Open Academy in Koreatown drew more than 100 constituents on Tuesday evening, many of whom had questions about the role he would play on a 12-member deficit reduction committee.

Becerra, whose congressional district includes Mount Washington, Highland Park, Echo Park, Eagle Rock and parts of Hollywood, is charged with helping to devise a plan to reduce the nation's deficit by $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years.

Many constituents asked Becerra to affirm his support of programs like Medicare and Social Security, while others asked that he not support any plan that would raise taxes.

However, Fred Coronel, an activist from Glendale, used the town hall session as an outlet to express his rage over the mere existence of the super congress.

Coronel shouted across the auditorium that Becerra was "playing games" with the public by participating in the so called "Super Congress." Coronel also adamantly declared that the "Super Congress" was "unconstitutional." 

He was dragged out of the auditorium by several LAPD officers, after refusing Becerra's request that he not interrupt the town hall's question and answer session.

After the meeting, Coronel stood in front of the New Open World Academy and distributed campaign literature for the LaRouche Political Action Committee, a group formed by perennial presidential candidate Lyndon LaRouche.

Locals Attend Coffee to Learn, Have Say

Ramon Muniz of Cypress Park was one of the many constituents who traveled to the New Open World Center for Becerra's coffee session.

"I'm here to catch up and get some detailed information on the committee of 12," Muniz said.

Muniz listed his primary concerns as immigration reform and job creation.

Stephen Smith, of Eagle Rock, was one of the constituents to attend the coffee who did not describe himself as a Becerra supporter. In fact, Smith launched a failed bid to unseat the congressman in 2010.

He said he came to the town hall to urge Becerra to compromise with his Republican counterparts as member of the super congress.

"I think he has a great chance to have his Nixon in China moment," Smith said. "He needs to put aside blame and focus on finding common ground."

Smith, who had a chance to address Becerra at the podium during the coffee, said America would not be able to solve its current debt problem by taxing the rich.

For his part, Becerra said he would hold true to his convictions by attempting to protect what he considered invaluable social programs. However, he said in order for compromise to be made, he had to put everything on the table.

"I need to be able to say to [Republicans] that [Social Security] is there on the table. But, before we leave it on the table to find savings, they're going to need to prove to me why it deserves to be cut," Becerra said. "I believe I can win that argument."

Victor Lorenzo, of Koreatown, said Tuesday's was the first town hall session he had ever attended.

"I'm just here to explore and see what this stuff is all about," Lorenzo said. "It's my first time."

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Kathy August 31, 2011 at 02:33 pm
I didn't attend because I know Bacerra, a far left liberal, will only act to spend taxpayer money. I always vote against him because he does not represent my values.
John August 31, 2011 at 02:44 pm
Kathy sounds like your typical white, old tea bagger. Sorry you hate America, Kathy, and think that only the wealthiest among us deserve to have an enjoyable life. The highly popular Bacerra will represent working class Americans and stand up for our values. Kathy and her tea bagger friends will instead be fighting for the rights of billionaires and tax cheats. Luckily, Kathy is probably already collecting Social Security (socialism, right?) so we only have to deal with her ilk for a few more years.
David Fonseca (Editor) August 31, 2011 at 02:59 pm
Hey John, let's keep our comments focused on each others' ideas, not speculations about personalities. Insults don't make for a productive conversation.
martin j vasquez jr August 31, 2011 at 03:40 pm
i am a latino and dont like bacerra ,he dint get my vote and will never will , he belives on keep on spending somthing we dont have , hes a lobbys for unions and his special interest , and yes i am register democrat ,john not evry one thinks youre way respect others opinion you when low on kathy
Nelson R Grande II August 31, 2011 at 04:16 pm
The man that was escorted out seemed to be fairly young.
The way Congress has been behaving in the last few years has bred this new, young dissenter. Civility is becoming less and less effective in this day and age. Mr. Becerra may have to come to terms with that.
Henry Macwhirr August 31, 2011 at 11:15 pm
Becerra has sold his soul to Wall Street, and he dare not face his constituents.
Susan R August 31, 2011 at 11:31 pm
Everyone has a right to their own opinion. And, everyone needs to be respected. Congressman Becerra is very respectful whether you agree with him or not. And, so is Mr. Smith. There were some great debates between the two of them especiallly because they were so respectful to each other and the public.
And, to John, not all teabaggers are white and/or rich. Many are middleclass that work hard and are struggling to get by. And, many Americans of all colors and races want the government to put them first over others that just got here.
Tom Louie September 1, 2011 at 12:24 am
When you loudly deny others their turn to speak, and insist on making the show all about you, you are acting against free speech. Tea party hecklers have not respected free speech since the summer of 2009. They are not a good model for democracy.
TAX THE RICH! Tax rates are at their lowest point in decades. America has a revenue problem, not a spending problem. If giving the rich tax breaks were good economic policy, why hasn't it worked yet??? Don't protest in favor of billionaires keeping more of their money, you're just cutting your own throat! Don't be an Astroturf doormat for the Koch bros to wipe their feet on. Believe me, they will never show you gratitude.
Patricia Duran September 1, 2011 at 02:01 am
I was unable to attend Congressman Becerra's townhall meeting but I fully support his opinion and effort to communicate with his constituents. I don't think he shy's away from discussion with those opposing his beliefs. I think he welcomes all discussion. I do not understand how any middle class teabagger could accept the garbage rhetoric that the Republicans are supporting - the need of the wealthy 1% or 2% tax breaks while that middle class teabagger is possibly going to lose everything he/she stands for or owns. While the American public is losing homes, jobs, health, everything, the rich are richer than ever. The American public is supporting the rich by giving the rich tax breaks - welfare for the rich! How can the middle class teabagger even consider cutting medicare and social security? During the despression of the 1930's, the poor, the weak, the elderly, the babies were dying because they were jobless, homeless, starving, freezing or baking in the heat. It was Roosevelt's plan to help these Americans, all Americans. It was and is a good thing and both institutions are independent of the budget funds! That is what FICA is all about and it's our own hard earned money! This insanity amazes me!
Ken Camp September 1, 2011 at 10:36 am
Oh, wow! A LaRouche zombie! I see them everywhere. At post offices, at Union Station. They are creeps. Get out of my way!
Lili September 1, 2011 at 11:01 am
Tom and Patricia,Well said! I have attended Becerra's events in the past and have been impressed with his level of respect for his constituents and his encouragement of open discussion. When people claim that he's "sold his soul" I wonder what evidence this is based on...It's disheartening when people vote against their own economic self-interest because they haven't stopped to really examine the issues that affect them. And for those who hate "liberalism" I'd like to remind them of where we'd likely be without historic liberal legislation: Civil rights, voting rights, social security, medicare and medicaid, bargaining rights negotiated by unions that assure workers of decent wages...as it is, we are turning into some sort of plutocracy, with a small percentage enjoying all the benefits of a reworked tax code that works in their favor. I thought we were better than this...
Ken Camp September 1, 2011 at 12:42 pm
The problem with the above comment is that in America everyone "comes first" regardless of when you got here. Playing favorites is not the American way.
Ken Camp September 1, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Despite my own problems with Becerra (remember when he and Nick Pacheco had a Gloria Molina impersonator call Angelenos on the phone to spread slander about Villaraigosa?) I have a greater problem with the uncivil tea baggers who shout and scream and vomit in your face, bring guns to town hall meetings. insist that they and everyone else in the trailer court don't need to pay taxes (talk about special rights!) and generally make everyone miserable because they want something for nothing.
Ken Camp September 1, 2011 at 04:25 pm
However, Kathy calling Becerra "a far left liberal" only shows how far right she is. Becerra is so moderate he could disappear into thin air, yet to some wingnuts he is practically a "Communist," a tired old 50s term.
Mark Reback October 18, 2011 at 02:19 pm
Time for the corporations and super rich to pay more in taxes. They did not make their profits without help from the other 99% of us. The workers of society provided the labor, and the corporations have received tons of subsidies and assistance from our government, and it's high time to close the tax loopholes and subsidies and for corporations and their CEO's to pay their fair share back in to our society. Some facts:
- The 400 wealthiest Americans have a greater combined net worth than the bottom 150 million Americans (more than half of all Americans). (http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2011/mar/10/michael-moore/michael-moore-says-400-americans-have-more-wealth-/) - The top 1 percent of Americans possess more wealth than the entire bottom 90 percent. (http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/10/about-that-99-percent/) - From 2002 to 2007, 65 percent of economic gains went to the richest 1 percent thanks to the Bush/Cheney tax cuts to the rich. (http://elsa.berkeley.edu/~saez/atkinson-piketty-saezJEL10.pdf) TAX THE RICH!
Susan R December 27, 2011 at 12:14 pm
And, I agree Obama should not have bailed out banks and car makers. The free market should rule.
Mark Reback December 27, 2011 at 03:43 pm
The bailout of the big banks + Wall Street was approved and started by the Bush + Cheney administration! You and millions of other Americans need to get the facts straight and stop blaming Obama for everything under the sun:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20013452-503544.html
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
nonoise June 18, 2013 at 10:15 pm
Speeding bicyclist that do not stop for stop signs!! Cite them!! No more stop lights.
Marge Piane June 17, 2013 at 06:37 pm
Yes. And, I suppose you could call me a "newbie", I've only lived here since '87.
nonoise June 18, 2013 at 08:40 am
Dee-Aych, I want peace and quiet too. Tell Divine Saviour Catholic church to shut off their noisyRead More amplified sound system!! Hope everyone else that enjoys forcing Divine Saviour into my home all day long every day and doesn't like fireworks gets a taste of their own medicine, noise!!
AR Meza June 18, 2013 at 01:25 pm
Nonoise, it seems that after all these years of raising the Bell issue you've gotten no support.Read More Why? Did you launch a campaign against it? What did the city tell you?
nonoise June 16, 2013 at 07:16 am
And, a letter sent to the city councilmember would help. And, now CD1 has a new city councilmemberRead More Cedillo starting on July 1, 2013. And, we have a new city attorney starting July 1, 2013. So, make sure to send your letter to the new government authorities. Hopefully they will do more than the old "do nothings".
elmo June 16, 2013 at 12:33 pm
With a new mayor, council person, and city attorney, will the gang suppression/injunction stayRead More intact? Crime went down because the powers that were had grown up around, and knew the horror of gang oppression. So they did something about it. Will the new people continue the policy? Suddenly the neighborhoods felt safer. The rebirth of Highland Park, Glassell Park and even Eagle Rock wouldn't have happened without the gang suppression policies.
JosephR June 18, 2013 at 11:10 am
Often (but not always) this is a voluntary restriction that local markets agree to, in order to beRead More granted liquor licenses. The Eastside is WAY over-subscribed with ABC licenses ... at nearly every "pharmacy" (CVS, Rite-Aid, Walgreens), convenience store (7-11 and AM/PM), plus all the local mom-and-pop markets and event chain stores. You can even buy booze here in the 99-cent stores, at one-off fast-food markets, etc. The start-selling late, end stop-selling early setup is an attempt to curtail some of the transient and homeless overrrun of these retail outlets. Often, you'll see the homeless raid the local recycling blue barrels on the days when pickup is scheduled, get enough credit to buy a morning's worth of booze, and then (by noon) they've passed out in the park. You may also notice that at many local markets -- the "single-serve" options of one (large) can of beer, etc., have been removed from the menu at these stores in order to try to curtail that. It's not a "cure" ... more of a band-aid, but until society addresses the larger problem of homelessness, addiction, and ease-of-access to life-wasting substances, this may be the best we can do . . .
AR Meza June 18, 2013 at 01:20 pm
Sorry to hear that they were Latino...it seems to always be the case around here. Makes me sad.
Jeanne June 4, 2013 at 03:17 am
Just attempted sign-up/payment with Visa on-line; wouldn't go through. Any suggestions? I'm ready toRead More get going, so very ready. Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Linda Filipiak June 4, 2013 at 05:16 am
Sorry you are having issues with this. I just looked at the link and it appears to be working, asRead More others have been able to pay. If you have a paypal account I would suggest trying that instead of Visa. Let me know if that does't work and we will find another option.
Marino Pascal June 4, 2013 at 10:17 am
On Facebook people have personal profiles and family and photos that they may not want to expose toRead More their neighbors. Also what is "Mount Washington"? Mount Washington is a residential community with an elementary school, a semi-open(semi-closed?) museum and nothing else. No restaurants, no stores, no middle school, no high school. It doesn't exist all by itself. It's part of Northeast LA. I think whether we like it or not, all of us in Northeast LA are dependent on each other.
Mark Nishinaka June 2, 2013 at 06:31 am
David was really good, but I think we need to give Ajay a chance to find his groove. Have to giveRead More him credit for not melding Eagle Rock news with Highland Park. I could see that being a problem.
Nimby pimp June 2, 2013 at 11:44 am
I agree. Give the new guy a chance to learn the ropes. It is astounding to hear so much whining fromRead More people about a service they get for free.
A Proud Garvanza Teacher June 6, 2013 at 08:34 pm
Based on personal experience, David was always responsive to emails and genuinely seemed to want toRead More support a variety of organizations, schools, and topics in his selection of stories. I find myself checking out the news on the Patch must less regularly now.
Anne Colburn May 29, 2013 at 10:21 am
I agree, change is good but this new site is way way too busy plus the coloring is too light.Read More Sorry, I no longer read it on a daily basis.
KingSlav May 30, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Comments on the site have dropped precipitously since the new format was rolled out. This follows aRead More drop in the number of daily stories. Does anyone read Patch anymore?
Gma May 30, 2013 at 01:00 pm
Not really I haven't in months maybe even a year! Not very interesting. My daughter hates it too.Read More Keep on losing readers.
KingSlav May 30, 2013 at 12:15 pm
It's not surprising to read this. There are unleashed, untagged, unlicensed chihuahuas runningRead More around my street in Garvanza almost every day. I'm frequently having to call the Department of Animal Services. Irresponsible dog owners are a real nuisance to our community.
Erik May 24, 2013 at 07:31 pm
Just noticed myself the other day. This is across all Patch sites. Very disappointed in thisRead More oversight.
KingSlav June 3, 2013 at 08:14 pm
This new website format really does need an RSS feed. The site is all over the place. Please add aRead More feed ASAP.
nonoise May 19, 2013 at 11:17 am
False? Wrong!! I have the letter as proof. Did "no way, Jose" write the letter? IfRead More patch wants to see it, let me know. It is the truth.
nonoise May 20, 2013 at 08:01 am
I want peace and quiet in my home. "No way, Jose" believes I should not have peace andRead More quiet in my home. That is a dicatator.