(AP) — Protesters staged a small but boisterous rally Thursday outside a New Balance sneaker factory in Massachusetts where U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan was expected to discuss Republican plans for tax reform. The predominantly Latino and blue-collar city, Hoke contended, is among those that would be the most impacted by Republican health care and immigration policies. Rich Kaufman, 44, of nearby North Andover, said the GOP's proposed tax reform overhaul — which is still being negotiated behind closed doors in Washington — is an affront to working families because it represents a giveaway to the wealthy at the expense of Medicaid and other programs vital to low- and middle-income Americans.