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South Dakotans looking to block President Donald Trump's policies are set to hold a town hall forum Thursday in Sioux Falls.

Leaders of agrassroots group calledIndivisible 605 said they wanted to hold an event at which members could learn how to start constructive conversationswith congressional delegates using"polite, non-violent techniques." The local group stemmed froma national campaignto resist the Trump administration using Tea Party tactics like targeting elected officials at a local level to prevent policy changes.

Sens. Mike Rounds and John Thune and Rep. Kristi Noem will return to South Dakota during a congressional recess period, but don't plan to hold formal town hall forums. Spokespeople for the three said they hadn't received invitations to the Thursday forum.

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KateHayes, one of the group's organizers, said she thought it was important that constituents remain an active check and balance system, weighing in regularly about Trump's comments or policies that might worry them.

"We want to get back to wherewe're doing our job as part of our democracy," she said. "We need to be there to watch them and hold them accountable."

And the state's congressional delegates should be expected to weigh in on the comments, too, she said. The three Republicans have shared their opinions on Trump's cabinet appointments in press releases and on Trump's executive order restricting immigration from certain countries when pressed by reporters.

Hayes said Rounds, Thune and Noem should listen to their constituents and represent their views when addressing Trump's comments or voting on his proposals.

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"There's obviously been a lot of verbiage and vitriol coming out of the Trump administration and it's deeply troubling," Hayes said. "You can't ignore that this is a different tone and a dangerous one."

Spokespeople for Thune and Noem said the two have remained open to constituent questions and comments. They said they would welcome constituent input and would visit with South Dakotans who come to visit their offices in the state and in Washington, D.C.

Follow Dana Ferguson on Twitter @bydanaferguson, call (605) 370-2493 or email dferguson@argusleader.com

Town hall details:

When: Thursday, February 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Icon Lounge + Events, 402 N. Main Ave. Sioux Falls

Read or Share this story: http://argusne.ws/2loFauv

Originally posted here:
Group aims to use Tea Party tactics to block Trump policies - Sioux Falls Argus Leader