“ This must be a moment in America, ‘said Cory Booker at the 1st town hall from the recording speech

Paramus, NJ (AP) – Democratic senator Cory Booker took a version of His record Senate soil speech On the road on Saturday to a meeting of the town hall in a New Jersey gymnasium, calling on people to discover what they can do to push the agenda of President Donald Trump.

Booker answered questions to the Bergen Community College of the suburbs of New Jersey on the same day as Over 1,200 “Hands-Off!” demonstrations were planned throughout the country. The town hall event was punctuated both by cries of celebration of “Cory, Cory” as well as at least half a dozen interruptions by demonstrators.

It was the first event in person of Booker in his country of origin since his speech this week, where he held the Senate soil For 25 hours and 5 minutes in opposition to Trump policies. In doing so, he broke the longest speech record, which was established by the segregationist Sen. Strom Thurmond in opposition to the 1957 civil rights law.

Questionnaire after the questioner asked what they could do to show their disagreement and concern about the president’s policies. Booker told them that it only took a little more – could they have a trip to Washington to put pressure against budget cuts? One of the noisiest moments of applause came after sending a woman who said she was worried that the potential cups of Medicaid could mean for her autistic son.

“A gathering like this cannot be the end of our activism,” said Booker. “It must be a moment in America where we all start to say, what can I do more?”

Booker’s questions and answer reflect what voters and other democrats heard during town halls. He said he didn’t want to focus on the Democratic Party, which has struggled to find a message since the loss of the 2024 elections. Instead, he said, he would focus on “the people of our country”.

“I think the Democratic Party has lost many elections because people did not think they were care about them. So let’s stop worrying about politics and focuses more on people,” said Booker.

Lisa Dunn, 41, professor of special education and social worker at Jersey City, attended the Rainy Saturday event because she feared that Trump administration policies begin to have an impact on people. She credited Booker for the Senate’s speech, saying at least “he does something”.

She said that she wanted there to be a specific action to take, but she understands why there is none.

“I want there to be something very concrete. However, personally, I listen to. I take information. I try to understand where I am right now in terms of what I can really do and what will have the most impact, “she said. “So a part of me understands this answer because I suppose that politicians are probably in the same boat.”

After the event, Booker said that he was reluctant to tell people the exact tactics to use, citing civil rights activists like the late John Lewis. He said creativity has a role to play.

“I know that a thing is not to sit and do nothing and just watch on television and get stuck in a state of sedentary agitation,” he said. “Everyone must take measures to exert pressure to change.”

Booker, who Ran without success For the president in 2020, said after the event he focused on the candidacy for the re-election of the Senate in 2026 and that 2028 “will take care of himself”.

Booker, 55, is in his second full term in the Senate. He chairs the strategic communications committee, his party’s messaging arm. His team focuses on the increase in the presence of Senate Democrats on social platforms thanks to more frequent and more occasional content.

Booker himself has raised one of the greatest follow-ups on social media platforms like Instagram, Tiktok and X, where his comment seems to connect with the party base. But staff members are now focusing on how to transfer this success to Senateur colleagues in Booker, who are often less fluid and face different political landscapes in their original states.

This involved transforming the communications committee into a nerve center to test and coordinate the easiest formats for legislators who seek to stimulate their digital marks.

Booker hopes double commitment Senators receive with their content directly online and increase the appearances of the Caucus with personalities from the digital media online.

The start of the event on Saturday included six disturbances, including several people who have criticized the treatment of Palestinians. The gymnasium police escorted them from the arena.

“I hear you and I see you,” said Booker.

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The journalist of Associated Press Matt Brown in Washington contributed.