Town hall meeting gets heated

A local town hall meeting to discuss President Obama’s healthcare plan got heated on Saturday, following a nationwide trend of crowded and loud meetings.

Congresswoman Niki Tsongas faced a raucous crowd which was packed into a sweltering hot Chelmsford gym.

Hundreds waited outside after the building reached maximum capacity.

“It’s definitely frustrating. I had some important things I’d like to address, if not to Tsongas then to the American people," said Hilde Heaton, from Dunstable.

The administration’s plan would overhaul the current system.

Most in Chelmsford agreed there needs to be a healthcare reform, but many were against the Obama plan.

“It will bankrupt this country,” said Donald Andresen.

Town hall meetings are taking place all over the country, and many are turning into angry demonstrations.

Some say the town hall meetings have become a way for critics to ramp up the rhetoric.

“Eighty percent of the people out here demonstrating have no idea why they’re here. They've been told to come out and just protest,” said Pete Wilde.

In his weekly address, Obama urged Americans to watch out for his critics who he says are misinforming the public.