Cops Cut Casten Town Hall Short After Conflict Erupts: Report

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Police cut short a town hall held by Rep. Sean Casten after a conflict erupted between Casten and constituents demanding he take action regarding the Israel-Hamas War, according to CNN.

A video shows one man approaching the stage and shouting, "What you're saying is I'm not going to get my way when my people are being slaughtered, and I want you to stop funding them."

"If you would like to run for office, run for office," Casten responds.

"That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard," the constituent says. He then calls Casten, "the most soulless piece of crap I've ever seen." The man then gets onto the stage.

Video used with permission of William Beaulieu

As tensions mounted, constituents could be seen shouting, "Casten, Casten, Casten" from their seats and clapping.

Per CNN and CBS, police made the choice to end Casten's tense town hall shortly after the incident.

A spokesperson for Rep. Casten shared the following statement:

“A small group of individuals have attended multiple of Rep. Casten’s events with the sole intent of disrupting and shutting down the event, preventing constituents from being able to participate and engage in the democratic process. Rep. Casten is proud to have successfully hosted a half dozen town halls and community meetings so far this year, and will continue to find ways to productively engage with his constituents.”

Patch did not immediately receive a response to its request for additional information from Downers Grove police Thursday afternoon.

More via CNN