GREENFIELD — The more than 700 people who attended a town hall event with U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern on Tuesday relayed an expansive mandate for him to take back to Congress: Defend federal institutions, create a stronger coalition of Democrats and be a voice of resistance to the Trump administration.

Before giving his opening remarks and opening the question-and-answer session at his sixth town hall event this year, McGovern was met with a standing ovation inside the Greenfield Middle School auditorium after speaking to a crowd of people outside who couldn’t get in, as the auditorium had reached its seating capacity of 654.

McGovern told the audience “you give me hope” and said the strong attendance is what a democracy looks like.

“I am urging my colleagues to show up all around the country because I think it sends a powerful signal when you actually show up at town hall and listen to people,” McGovern said. He spoke to his shared concern for American democracy, reminding audiences that there is a choice to give in or fight back.

McGovern’s visit, organized by Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution, comes on the heels of a March 9 visit from U.S. Sen. Ed Markey in Northampton. McGovern was also in Northampton in February for a “Coffee With Your Congressman” event that attracted 500 attendees.

Fielding questions from the public from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., McGovern heard from Franklin County officials and residents on a range of topics, including fascism, corruption, the media, immigration and deportation, anti-gay and anti-transgender rhetoric, and civic engagement.

Some of the topics with local impact that audiences expressed concerns over included the federal funding freezes and cuts authorized by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Rebecca Todd, executive director of the Greenfield-based Connecticut River Conservancy, asked what McGovern can do to help her organization, which has $13 million in federal funding frozen. The environmental advocacy nonprofit serves parts of Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Connecticut.

“It’s not unique to you. I mean, this is happening in 1,000 different areas, and I think it’s illegal,” McGovern told Todd, adding that there is litigation out there to get federal money released, and that his delegation is not going to give up on getting the federal funds released.

Additionally, he said reminding people what value federal programs and initiatives bring is important in this time when cuts are underway.

Attendees also asked McGovern what actions he and his colleagues in Congress will take to strengthen the Democratic Party as it confronts the Trump administration.

“What are the Democrats doing to play the long game to build this party to be the strong party it’s supposed to be to defend democracy?” asked former Greenfield Mayor Roxann Wedegartner.

In response to this question, and questions like it, McGovern told the audience that some of the methods of messaging and action Democrats are using aren’t working, and that some decisions made before and after the election — including not having a meeting before the State of the Union address — were mistakes. Moreover, he responded to questions about Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and his break from party lines on the Republican spending bill that he said he would support.

In considering how to create a better coalition and build stronger support among Democrats, McGovern said messaging on what the party stands for is as important as messaging on what it is against, to inform people about the goals and values of the party.

“One of the things that we have to focus on really strongly, I believe, is telling people if we get the chance to lead again, we’re going to finish the job and set up low-income prescription drugs. We’re going to expand health care benefits to everybody,” McGovern said, adding that college affordability, climate change action and green job creation are other goals of the Democratic Party.

Attendees also wanted to know what McGovern and other Democrats can do as policies eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are pushed forward by the Trump administration, as well as what action is available in the face of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in American cities, and rhetoric and legislation impacting the LGBTQ community.

“What tangible steps can we do to prevent people from getting on planes, having them leave our country illegally, without cause, without representation, and what can we do now so that we can try to keep our community safe for everybody?” Northampton resident Andrea Fox inquired.

One of the actionable items McGovern referenced in relation to ICE raids is that residents can sign up for Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution’s Rapid Response Team, which provides support for local immigrants and their families. FCCPR circulated information about the Rapid Response Team during the town hall.

“The bottom line,” McGovern said, “we have to be involved and we have to be clear that hate has no place in this community.”

‘Tremendous appreciation’

After two hours of questions, comments, ideas and requests wrapped up, McGovern stayed remained on stage to continue speaking to audience members. In an interview, he said the turnout was “phenomenal” and that it’s his job to take his constituents’ words back with him to Washington when he meets with the House Democratic Caucus on Tuesday.

“I’ll talk to all the Democrats in the room and say, ‘This is my sixth town hall, and let me tell you, I got an earful, and people want us to do more,’’” McGovern said. ‘“They want us to fight harder. They want us to be more unified and they want us to recognize the danger in this moment.’”

Montague resident Ferd Wulkan, a member of Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution’s Coordinating Committee, said he felt “tremendous appreciation” for McGovern coming to listen to and speak with his constituents.

When asked about what ideas he hopes McGovern will bring back to Washington with him, Wulkan said he wants the energy from the people in the room, who want to be involved and organized, will be conveyed.

“People are looking for what to do, and so that’s why [Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution] is so important,” Wulkan said, “that we can pull together something like this, but only use this as a springboard for organizing.”

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.