Former Eau Claire state Rep. Dana Wachs speaks at a protest after U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden threatened to withhold federal funds from the city because of remarks by two members of the city council. | Photo by Steve Hanson/Eye on Dunn County.

Community members held a protest and press conference at the Eau Claire Municipal Building on Tuesday, Sept. 24 to call attention to Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden’s proposed bill intended to cut off federal funds from any entity that employs individuals “who condone and celebrate political violence and domestic terrorism”.

In Eau Claire, Van Orden has threatened federal funds to the city because of statements made by two city council members in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. He also recently threatened to defund the Mayo Clinic in Eau Claire for similar reasons. 

Many of the protesters at the event wore hazmat suits because, they said, Van Orden is “toxic” to Wisconsin. The group marched on Farwell St. and chanted their protests against Van Orden’s attempts to limit free speech.

After an introduction from organizer Cindy Greening, former Democratic state Rep. Dana Wachs spoke at a brief press conference at the event. “The thought that a United States congressman would threaten an entire community because he doesn’t happen to like what a couple of folks said or allegedly said, is beyond outrageous,” Wachs said. “This person must not be in Congress.”

Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge also addressed the crowd. “We are here because our community has come under attack, not from the outside, but from our own congressman,” Berge said. “In a series of statements and proposed legislation, Rep. Van Orden has threatened to strip millions of dollars in federal funding from our city, punishing 80,000 people for the words of two individuals. Let’s be clear, this is not just political theater. This is a direct attack on free speech, the cornerstone of our democracy, the First Amendment.”

The protesting and marching continued after the press conference, garnering many honks and waves from people driving by on Farwell.

This story orginally appeared in Eye on Dunn County. Reprinted with permission.