Unexpected Guests Storm LWVS Annual Luncheon

.Anne Lyons, Heedan Chung and Diksha MudbharyIn a sign of the times, the annual League of Women Voters luncheon at Scarsdale Golf Club on Friday May 9 was like none in its long history in Scarsdale.

It started out with a drenching rainstorm that sent guests running to the club doors. Once we dried off inside, we found a roomful of notable Scarsdalians including past League Presidents, State Senator Shelly Mayer, Scarsdale Mayor Arest, Deputy Mayor, Gruenberg, Library Director Beth Bermel, School Board President Suzie Hahn and Board Members Amber Yusuf and Leah Dembitzer, along with the Board of the League.

The selection of the guest speaker was timely – as newly elected Congressman George Latimer was invited to address the room on what’s going on in Washington.

However his pressing schedule required the event to be accelerated. With little time for lunch and pleasantries, League President Heedan Chung introduced 2nd Vice President Diksha Mudbhary to interview Latimer.

Latimer first invited guests to take copies of the Washington Post and Politico that were placed at the tables, saying unbiased coverage of events in Washington was limited.

He gave his perspective on his first few months in Congress, explaining that he was a “blue collar kid,” whose father was a maintenance man at Beachpoint Club in Mamaroneck and mother worked in a factory. He went to school in Mt. Vernon. He said his background makes him feel “pretty small when he is standing on the floor of the House of Representatives or gazing at the dome of the Capitol Building lit up at night.”Mudbhary interviews Latimer

At the age of 71, he is a member of the minority party and knows that he will not serve long enough to head a committee. But he is trying to use his years of experience in local and county government to figure out how to get something done. He noted his frustration, saying on Friday, the only piece of legislation that came to a vote in the House was to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.

He said, “The majority of both houses has decided not to hold the president accountable.” If we had the majority we would be having public hearings and asking pointed questions when the president is capturing and deporting people without due process. But the majority does not choose to do this – instead they criticize Biden.”

But he said, “The minority is taking every one of these decisions to court. There is a constitutional crisis in the making as there are no means to enforce court actions. Unless the majority goes to the President and tells him to follow the court, there is no enforcement.”

What to do? “We have to go to the court of public opinion and rally support.”

Then the unexpected happened.

Latimer was in the midst of answering a question about tariffs when loud shouts were heard from the back of the room. Without warning, a crowd of angry protesters stormed into the main dining room, yelling and holding signs. They were trailed by two officers from the Greenburgh Police Department who stood by but did not stop the intruders. It was shocking and frightening as well.

Protesters stormed the room.They chanted, “Why didn’t you come to the Bronx today?” Their banners read “Climate Defiance,” and it wasn’t immediately clear why they had chosen to trail Latimer.

Latimer attempted to speak over the din to explain that he is often in the Bronx and that he championed of environmental issues, including the electrification of the Westchester Bee Line bus fleet and implementation of the food scrap recycling to Westchester County. But little could be heard over the cacophony.

When they were finally escorted out, he said, “Here’s what we face as Democrats. We have the far right and the far left.”

State Senator Shelley Mayer spoke in support of the Congressman saying, “I am so proud of the way George handles these things.” Referring to his primary run against Jamaal Bowman she said, “He won fair and square. He represents the Bronx and has a fantastic presence there. He is a professional who is dedicated to serving us.”

Questioned about the lack of action to block Trump’s agenda in Congress, Latimer said, “There are some good members who are not voting their conscience. We have to convince people in the middle that we have programs to solve problems and articulate an environmental, health and education policy.”

He urged the audience to convince their friends and relatives to support the Democratic Party. He also asked for support for Ken Jenkins who is running for County Executive this year. He said, “it matters that he wins.”Diksha Mudbhary and Leah Dembitzer

Though the event was cut short by time constraints, Latimer’s responses and the protesters unexpected visit provided a window into the unique times in which we live and the pressure from both the left and the right to forge consensus.

Commenting after the meeting, Mayor Arest said, “Congressman Latimer has long been a dedicated friend and advocate for our village—first as County Executive and now as our representative in Washington. He’s one of the most visible and engaged leaders in his district, consistently showing up, listening to all of his constituents, and responding with care and action. We also deeply appreciate his thorough updates on developments in Washington that impact New York’s 16th Congressional District—they help keep our community informed, prepared, and connected to the broader decisions shaping our future.”

The League of Women Voters of Scarsdale (LWVS) is a volunteer nonpartisan political organization which promotes political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League is nonpartisan in that it does not support or oppose any candidate for public office; it is political in that it takes positions on selected governmental issues after serious member study and consensus.

The recording of the event is available on the League’s YouTube channel here.

Learn more about the LWVS here.