Protestors disrupt a health care reform event held by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a Texas Democrat, on Aug. 1.

Protestors disrupt a health care reform event held by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a Texas Democrat, on Aug. 1.

ALBUQUERQUE — U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich is scheduled to hold a town hall meeting on health care reform later this month — in person this time.

Heinrich held a telephone town hall last week in which he voiced his support for the “public option” to a little over 5,000 people who called in. But since then, similar meetings held in person have become points of conflict nationwide, with protesters showing up en masse to disrupt meetings, hang legislators in effigy, and at times even getting into fistfights with proponents.

Just today, a self-described libertarian seemed to advocate violence against “Acorn/SEIU” members who show up at health care events here in New Mexico.

John Blair, communications director for  Heinrich, said that in light of the encounters at other forums plus tensions surfacing in New Mexico, security will be present at the coming event. Heinrich, an Albuquerque Democrat, is scheduled to hold his town hall Saturday, August 22, at the University of New Mexico’s Continuing Education Building, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Details can be found on his website.

Blair referenced an open forum held July 2 in southeast Albuquerque for seniors about Medicare and Social Security that was disrupted by about a dozen people who stood up and shouted at the congressman about cap-and-trade legislation. A protester outside had a sign about health care reform with a swastika and Heinrich’s name spelled as “Heinreich.” Similar Nazi iconography has been seen at protests of Rep. Loyd Doggett’s health care event in Texas recently.

“We’re hoping for the best, but we’re taking every precaution to make sure that people who attend the events are safe,” Blair said.

In a statement released by the Democratic Party of New Mexico today, Chairman Brian Colón laid the controversy at the feet of the Republican Party, saying the party was fomenting “mob rule” in conjunction with “allied groups” on the topic of health care reform.

“[T]houghtful discussions are being interrupted by angry mobs — well funded and organized by K Street Lobbyists — attempting to drown out the voices of the hard-working New Mexicans who are desperate for health insurance reform,” Colon is quoted as saying.  “These groups are not concerned about Americans’ access to quality health care, but are extreme ideologues, only interested in ‘breaking’ the President and thwarting the change Americans voted for last November.”

Janel Causey, Republican Party of New Mexico communications director, said the Republican party — at least in New Mexico — is not helping to coordinate protests at health care events.

“We haven’t been actively organizing,” she said. “When I get calls from people asking for event details, I simply let people know but that’s it.”

Causey said the Republican Party wants to discuss the issues and would never encourage people to be disrespectful. And she had some choice words for the Democrats.

“Not too long ago, the Democratic Party thought dissent was the highest form of patriotism,” she said. “Now, they’re attempting to deny citizens the right to petition their government by vilifying their attendance at town hall meetings.”

She said what happens at events in other parts of the country doesn’t mean similar acts will occur here.

“I’m not aware of any violent outbursts in New Mexico,” she said, “and in no way are we encouraging people to be disrespectful. All citizens should be able to participate in the democratic process and have their voice heard. In no way is it our position that it should be done in a violent manner. But it’s also not fair to brand people as mobs because they want to attend their town hall meetings.”