City Council Reverses Rule Restricting Criticism During Meetings

The City Council of Surprise, Arizona, has repealed a controversial rule restricting criticism of city officials during its meetings, resulting in ongoing legal ramifications.

At a Glance

The city council voted to repeal a rule restricting public complaints against city employees.
The decision followed the arrest of Rebekah Massie, who criticized a raise for the city attorney.
Massie is suing the city, claiming her First Amendment rights were violated.
The vote was unanimous, occurring on September 17.
The previous rule required the public to fill out an online form before meetings.

Surprise, Arizona Repeals Controversial Rule

The City Council of Surprise, Arizona, voted to repeal a rule that restricted public complaints against city employees during council meetings. This decision followed the arrest of Rebekah Massie, a civil governance reform advocate, who criticized a raise for the city attorney during a council meeting. Massie was arrested after Mayor Skip Hall told her to stop speaking, accusing her of attacking the city attorney personally.

Massie argued that her First Amendment rights were being violated when she was arrested. The previous rule required members of the public to fill out an online form before meetings and restricted complaints against city employees or council members. After her arrest, Massie, with support from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Surprise. Despite the repeal of the controversial rule, Massie still faces a trespassing charge.

The council unanimously voted to repeal a rule prohibiting speakers from lodging complaints against city employees during city council meetings. https://t.co/s3VCnOPpGU

— 12 News (@12News) September 18, 2024

Background and Immediate Response

The city of Surprise stated that the rule had been part of its speaker decorum rules for over 20 years and that other cities in Arizona have similar rules. However, the council decided to repeal the rule and review its speaker rules to balance public speaking rights with meeting efficiency and decorum. The vote to repeal the rule was unanimous and took place on September 17.

City Attorney Robert Wingo described the agenda item as straightforward, and no council members or public attendees commented on it during the vote. Massie’s arrest has been widely viewed online, sparking public outrage.

Public and Political Reactions

Arizona state Senator John Kavanagh called for a state investigation but said he would drop it if the council voted on the issue, which they did. The repeal of the rule has been seen by many as a victory for free speech in Surprise, Arizona. Residents are invited to submit their comments on the issue to [email protected], reflecting the high level of public interest and concern surrounding the incident.

The vote to repeal took place on Tuesday night, adding another chapter to an already contentious story. Free speech advocates and residents alike are closely watching the developments as Massie’s lawsuit progresses. The outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for how municipal meetings are conducted and how public officials are held accountable in Arizona.