(TheLastPatriotNews.com) – In what appears to be a massive and outrageous violation of an American’s First Amendment rights, an Arizona woman has been arrested after criticizing a local official during a city council meeting.
The woman, Rebekah Massie, has initiated a lawsuit against the city of Surprise, accusing it of wrongful arrest and charges of trespassing when she voiced criticism against a proposed salary increase for a city lawyer during a council meeting last month.
The lawsuit was filed in a federal court on Tuesday by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a group advocating for free speech.
Massie, a local of Surprise, alleges that city officials breached her First Amendment rights.
On August 20, while expressing concerns over the salary of a city attorney, Mayor Skip Hall of Surprise interrupted her, citing a city rule that prohibits public charges or complaints against city employees during council meetings.
This incident rapidly gained traction on social media, capturing both local and national media attention.
When Massie did not leave the meeting upon request, she was forcibly removed by a police officer under the mayor’s directive, all in the presence of her ten-year-old daughter.
Calls for Mayor Hall’s resignation have escalated, highlighted by a public letter from co-plaintiff Quintus Schulzke.
Mayor-elect Kevin Sartor, set to succeed Hall, criticized the incident.
“As Americans, our right to free speech is fundamental, especially when it comes to holding our government accountable. What happened to Rebekah Massie is unacceptable. No citizen should ever be arrested for voicing their concerns, especially in a forum specifically designed for public input,” Sartor stated.
The lawsuit contends that Surprise violated Massie’s rights under the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments, and Massie is seeking monetary compensation along with a jury trial.
“I wanted to teach my children the importance of standing up for their rights and doing what is right — now I’m teaching that lesson to the city,” Massie remarked.
“It’s important to fight back to show all of my children that the First Amendment is more powerful than the whims of any government official,” she added.
Mayor Hall has since reiterated that any verbal attacks against city staff or officials will result in removal from council meetings.
Other defendants in the lawsuit include Steven Shernicoff, the officer who arrested Massie, and the city itself, which has declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.
“FIRE is representing Rebekah because no American should face arrest for criticizing public officials. Public officials are elected to serve the people, not silence them,” FIRE attorney Conor Fitzpatrick commented.
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