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For the public, the images were jarring: hazmat teams replacing folding chairs, an emergency response in a town hall, and a public official choosing to speak amid chaos. Town halls are intended to be accessible spaces for democratic dialogue; when such events require emergency protocols, the very openness of democracy feels threatened.
Security experts noted that incidents like this accelerate trends in political protection: more screening, barriers, and distance between officials and constituents. While these measures improve safety, they also erode accessibility and the personal connection that defines representative democracy.
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