In today’s polarized political climate, a group of resolute protesters continues to pressure 6th District U.S. Rep. Ben Cline to hold a town hall with them.

And Cline, R-Botetourt County, continues to hold out. 

Since February, the group has gathered weekly in downtown Roanoke. On Monday, more than 100 people held signs and chanted “This is what democracy looks like,” outside the Truist building, where Cline’s Roanoke office is located. 

The Trump administration’s decisions in recent months from job and funding cuts to its immigration policy to its indifference to court decisions have fueled the response. The frequency and turnout for the protests make them unique for western Virginia, at least in decades.

The group cheered Monday as numerous cars honked while driving by. Petitions were available for people to sign, requesting the town hall because “A functioning democracy requires accountability - not silence and indifference. You work for us!”

Cline’s communications director, Maggie Clemmons, emailed a statement from the congressman when asked about the protest Monday. The statement reads:

“I have always stood for and defended the First Amendment rights of every American, including the right to peacefully assemble and make their voices heard. Since being reelected last November, I have been hard at work doing what the people of Virginia’s Sixth District elected me to do. That includes fighting for commonsense conservative solutions, standing with President Trump, and supporting efforts to cut waste and save taxpayer dollars.”

A question about Cline’s stance on a town hall received no response.

Mayor Job Cobb stopped by Monday’s protest. When asked if he has been able to talk to Cline about the situation, Cobb, who started his mayoral tenure in January, said it took him two years when he was vice mayor to have any communication at all with Cline.

Cobb, a Democrat, said the ongoing protests are a symbol of democracy because while the matters at hand may be difficult, they are peaceful.

“And I think the other message is not to lose heart,” he said, adding that the protests have a central message of standing up for the most vulnerable.

“And we all know Trump’s going after the most vulnerable population, period.”

A protester, Lauren, said she showed up Monday to support those who are making the effort. She said she doesn’t know if a town hall will resolve all the issues, but she does believe it would be a step in the right direction.

Those involved in the protests do include longtime activists. But they also include people who have been impacted by job and funding losses since Trump took office this year. It is a mix.

Former Roanoke City Attorney Bill Hackworth has been a steady participant.

“I would have never guessed I would be doing this in retirement,” he said. Hackworth was holding a Canadian flag Monday. He said he’s been bringing flags of different countries that “have been picked on” by Trump.

Richard “Doc” Gooding helped form the movement. He said Monday that some who have been part of the protests at one point did talk to Cline’s staff. Cline and Ninth District U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, do schedule public meeting times monthly throughout the region for constituents - but those events are handled by the congressmen’s staffers.

On the reluctance of the Republican congressmen to meet with those who don’t agree with them, Gooding said it’s “because they know they’re wrong.”

Gooding said he believes the congressmen know that not everything Trump is doing makes sense.

“But that’s what’s irritating about it - they just don’t have the guts,” he said.

Those at Monday’s protest said they have no plans to stop until they at least get a forum with Cline.

Meanwhile, an attempt to visit Cline’s office Monday in the Truist building was met with a question from the door attendant: “Do you have an appointment?”