Free speech or disorderly conduct? Surprise woman arrested at city council meeting
Brenda Lepenski, Haley Williams | August 26, 2024 | 5:19 PM PDTSURPRISE, Ariz. — A Surprise woman was escorted out of a city council meeting and arrested on Aug. 20 after attempting to speak about the city attorney's salary.
In the city council meeting video, 32-year-old Rebekah Massie told the council she would address agenda item six, regarding the city attorney's contract.
Massie told council members she had concerns with the city attorney's contract being renewed with a raise.
"Recent months have uncovered numerous violations or alleged violations in blatant disregard, I would say, for not only the Arizona Revised Statues, the State Bar rules of professional conduct but also the Arizona State Constitution and the Bill of Rights at the federal level," Massie said at the meeting.
Massie went on to explain some of the alleged violations but was interrupted by Surprise Mayor Skip Hall.
"Ms. Massie, I've got to interrupt you here because this is the public meeting forum you agreed to when you speak and I want to read this to you," Hall said. "That there are 'Oral communications during the City Council meeting may not be used to lodge charges or complaints against any employ of the city, or members of the body, regardless of whether such person is identified in the presentation by their name, or by any other reference that tends to identify him or her."
You can read the public comment form that states this here.
Massie immediately told Hall that he was violating her First Amendment rights. Hall disagreed.
"This is your warning," Hall said.
"Warning for what?" Massie said.
"Warning for attacking a city attorney personally," Hall said.
"This is factual information," Massie said. "You are violating my First Amendment rights."
"It doesn't matter," Hall said. "This is what you agreed to for speaking, this is the form."
Massie signed the form that stated the rules for the public forum, but she said the rules were unconstitutional and said she could curse at them for three minutes straight and it would be protected speech. Hall again disagreed.
After a verbal exchange continued, the mayor ordered police to escort Massie out. . .
https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/free-speech-or-disorderly-conduct-surprise-woman-arrested-city-council-meeting/75-b7eabe5e-dc1e-4f56-b996-1a8649818063
There's also that part in Amendment I about petitioning the government for a redress of grievances.
