My Congressman

[Kber]

joy

http://nymag.com/thecut/2017/05/rodney-frelinghuysen-targets-activist-in-letter-to-employer.html

A New Jersey Congressman Called Out an Activist in a Letter to Her Employer

Trump’s presidency has inspired a surge of grassroots activism across the country, with citizens attempting to enact change on a local level. One such group that emerged post-election is NJ 11th for Change, which has been attempting to get their representative, Rodney Frelinghuysen — who has been described as “New Jersey’s most powerful congressman” — to hold a town hall. In response, the Republican congressman has reportedly called out one of the group’s organizers, Saily Avelenda, in a letter to her employer.

WNYC reports that in March, Frelinghuysen wrote a fundraising letter on campaign stationary to Joseph O’Dowd, who has previously donated $700 to the congressman. O’Dowd is also a board member at Lakeland Bank, where Avelanda was previously employed. The typed-out letter includes reference to “organized forces — both national and local — who are already hard at work to put a stop to an agenda of limited government.” An asterisk by “local” leads to a handwritten note at the bottom which reads “P.S. One of the ringleaders works in your bank!” Attached was an article in which Avelanda was quoted.

Avelanda tells WYNC that after her boss showed her both items, there were consequences. “I had to write a statement to my CEO, and at my level as an assistant general counsel and a senior vice president, at this employer it was not something that I expected,” she explained. “I thought my Congressman put them in a situation, and put me in a really bad situation as the constituent, and used his name, used his position, and used his stationery to try to punish me.”

She has since resigned from her job, citing the letter as one of the reasons. While the letter itself was not illegal, it does certainly present an optics issue for the congressman — and will probably be fodder for his next “telephone town hall.”

[riversedge]

1. My bet is that Rep Rodney Frelinghuysen will use the same tactic on others. Bullying, blackmail to

keep people in their place. Shame!! Fear of losing their job or being demeaned on the job is a powerful weapon the Repubs will use.

[Kber]

2. Yeah - I'm the the process of looking for a new job and wondered if this would hurt me

I spent a few hours stewing about it this morning and, came to the conclusion that I will be back there this friday (as I have been many times since the election) to let his staff know that I'm not going to shut up and be quiet.

I will not be intimidated into silence. F 'em.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

3. There's another discussion on this already

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029065079

[CurtEastPoint]

4. FWIW, he's getting right slammed on his FB page. What an abusive asshole.

https://www.facebook.com/rfrelinghuysen/

[Kber]

5. Good!

[Wounded Bear]

6. Good...

this needs to be used against him.

[CurtEastPoint]

7. If you're not on FB, here are some zingers!

Did you honestly try to silence an activist by writing to their place of employment? I guess this just goes to show: never underestimate the lengths desperate white men will do to stay in power. What a deplorable human you are.

You used your position and influence to pressure a woman who you disagreed with politically to resign her job. That may not be illegal but it is immoral and unethical. You should be ashamed of yourself. You have besmirched the Frelinghuesen name. Your parents would be appalled and ashamed of you, as you should if you were capable of it.


Wow, you are a insecure little man to go after a woman's job. Do strong willed women make you feel threatened? Well, we are just getting started. Welcome to the party.

Writing letters to constituents' employers to complain when they exercise their civil rights? Perhaps your time would be better spent actually listening, holding town halls, and doing your job.