Dozens protest after Arizona congressman cancels town hall

An Arizona congressman’s decision to cancel his in-person town hall has sparked demonstrations in a town east of Phoenix.

Dozens of people marched in Gold Canyon after Rep. Paul Gosar, a Republican, changed his town hall from a physical event to a telephone conference. The change came after many Republican lawmakers faced intense reactions from rowdy crowds during their town hall events.

Gosar is the only Arizona Republican who scheduled a town hall during the legislative recess. He was joined on the Thursday telephone call by a Virginia congressman.

KPNX-TV reports that the two lawmakers answered questions from seven different callers, but none of them offered opposing views.

According to KNXV-TV, Gosar says he isn’t trying to avoid the public but instead to make sure anyone can participate in the discussion.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press.