Rick Jarvis is a 30-year-veteran of the United States military. He spent much of his service in Europe during the Cold War.
“The Russians are not our friends,” Jarvis said. “Now it seems like we have Russian influence or even agents in the top levels of our government, and I think that needs to be investigated to find out what influence they had on our election and what they’re doing in our government now. And if Representative Luetkemeyer isn’t looking into that, he needs to.”
Jarvis’ concerns will not be heard, at least not in person. Like many members of Congress nationwide, the representative for Missouri’s Third Congressional District, Blaine Luetkemeyer, decided not to hold a town hall meeting during District Work Week. District Work Week is a period that many often consider as a time for representatives to interact with their constituents.
“I’m upset that Representative Luetkemeyer won’t even meet with his constituents to tell us what he’s doing about this issue,” Jarvis said.
But Jarvis is not alone. Sue Gibson, the social action chair for the Capital Area Missouri chapter of the National Organization for Women, said constituent voices are important.
“We’re American citizens,” Gibson said. “And our voices matter. That’s what democracy is all about.”
In an effort to help ensure constituent voices are heard, Gibson helped organize a demonstration in front of Rep. Luetkemeyer’s office in Jefferson City Saturday. Jarvis, members of the Capital Area Missouri NOW chapter and members of the Jefferson City Indivisible group gathered with Gibson to speak up and voice their opinions regarding the US government.
Jarvis’ worry of Russian influence on the government was one of many concerns expressed at the demonstration Saturday. About 30 people gathered with signs showing their views on issues including Planned Parenthood, Black Lives Matter, the Emoluments Clause, the President’s foreign relations and the Affordable Care Act.
One member of NOW, Stephanie Clark, made it clear that the effort doesn’t stop with Luetkemeyer. Clark said NOW is working to extend efforts across the state, and would like to hear from other representatives.
“We’d really like to see Senator Roy Blunt come back to Jefferson City and talk to us as well,” Clark said.