Rebekah Massie, a 32-year-old resident of Surprise, Ariz., had spoken about zoning changes during a city council meeting last month and signed up for a final public comment. This time, she had complaints about the city attorney’s salary. Massie’s appearance at the mike turned contentious when Mayor Skip Hall interrupted her, accusing her of “attacking the city attorney personally” and violating a council policy. Massie countered that the mayor was violating her First Amendment rights. “I could get up htre and I could swear at you for three straight minutes, and it is protected speech by the Supreme Court,” she said. The exchange escalated before Hall ordered a police officer to escort Massie out of the meeting. When she did not leave the lectern, the officer arrested her, reports the Washington Post. On Tuesday, Massie sued the city, the mayor and the officer who arrested her, alleging that they violated her First Amendment rights during the Aug. 20 meeting.
Her federal lawsuit requests that a judge temporarily order Surprise to halt its use of the policy Hall cited, which stipulates that comments during city council meetings “may not be used to lodge charges or complaints against” public officials. She is represented by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a free-speech group. s year, the organization sued the mayor of Eastpointe, Mich., alleging that she violated four residents’ First Amendment rights by refusing to let them speak at a city council meeting. Eastpointe ultimately nixed a policy that had banned comments directed at individual public council members. Massie was charged with third-degree trespassing. If she is convicted, she could face up to one month in jail and up to $500 in fines.
Comentários