Indivisible Group Hosts Empty Chair Town Hall Meeting

ST. PETER – Members from the New Ulm and St. Peter/Greater Mankato chapters of Indivisible held an Empty Chair Town Hall meeting Saturday at Minnesota Square Park Pavilion. The event aimed to express constituents' concerns regarding their representative, Brad Finstad, who was invited but did not respond to requests to attend.

Event chair Marian Broida opened the meeting, emphasizing the community's desire for accountability. “We invited Representative Finstad because so many of us have deep, deep concerns about his actions and inactions to protect our democracy and to protect our rights and to protect so many agencies and institutions on which we depend,” she stated, indicating the group's frustrations.

Co-host Viktoria Davis of Madelia also highlighted the importance of dialogue. “We want to engage with him. We want to hear his reasons for things. We don’t want to yell at him. We don’t want to argue with him. We want to have a conversation with him. He didn’t come, so we decided to ask the questions anyway,” Davis said.

The absence of Finstad, a Republican representing Minnesota's 1st Congressional District, was palpable throughout the meeting. Members of the community expressed a significant need for engagement from their elected officials. “It’s frustrating that Representative Finstad doesn’t meet with constituents,” noted Katie Dorschner, a member of Indivisible New Ulm. “Especially concerning the dismantling of education and the potential cuts to Medicaid, which are going to be devastating to our communities.”

Founding member Garrett Ebling emphasized participation and activism as well. “I’m not a career activist. I’m not really an activist at all. But like many people, I see what’s going on around us, and I’m feeling that something’s not right,” he expressed. Ebling, who founded the New Ulm chapter of Indivisible, explained that he struggled to find alignment with existing local political groups.

Determined to find his place, Ebling turned to Indivisible for support and guidance. “I did some Googling and found Indivisible. There wasn’t a New Ulm chapter of Indivisible, so I contacted the St. Peter and Greater Mankato group, asking them about starting one here.” Ebling's enthusiasm led to the rapid growth of the chapter, which attracted over 350 members in its first month, showcasing a yearning for political engagement in the area.

“Our goal is to raise awareness that this is an issue that needs attention,” Ebling explained as he laid out the chapter's focus on organizing events and discussing policies impacting their communities.

The Empty Chair Town Hall concluded with a collective determination from the attendees to continue pressing for answers from Finstad despite his absence. The gathering served not just as a critique of their representative’s disengagement, but as an opportunity to unify and strengthen the community's voice.

The resolve of the attendees to hold their representative accountable reflects a growing sentiment across various regions; citizens are demanding more participation and transparency from those in power.

As the momentum builds, the New Ulm chapter of Indivisible is becoming a vital part of the political landscape in the region, encouraging more constituents to become involved. Their efforts may very well shape future dialogues and hold elected officials accountable for the decisions that affect everyday lives.