Congressman Tim Bishop, behind his Long Island aide, Jon Schneider, enters the Neighborhood House in Setauket, past the jeering crowd of demonstrators. The rhythmic shouting of slogans, including “Silent no more,” echoed through the walls and provided a vocal backdrop to the entire meeting. Photo by Lee Lutz

Bishop meeting turns ugly

June 23, 2009
Times Beacon Record

A town hall-type meeting hosted by Congressman Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) in Setauket Monday night quickly turned loud and combative as hundreds of demonstrators from across Suffolk County confronted the Democrat on health care reform, federal bailouts and environmental issues.

When the 90-minute meeting ended Bishop was escorted by Suffolk County police to his car, surrounded and taunted by the placard and sign carrying crowd. Forced to park around the corner and up the block because of the crowd that had begun arriving at least 30 minutes before the 7 pm meeting, the congressman and his escort had to bear the shouts and insults for about a quarter mile.