ACLU of Missouri sues University City on behalf of a citizen who was removed from a city council meeting by order of the mayor when he attempted to speak on an issue under discussion
St. Louis, MO -- Today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri filed suit against the city of University City, Missouri, on behalf of city resident Andrew Roberts. The mayor of University City ordered police to remove Roberts from a city council meeting after he attempted to state his opposition to a proposed resolution during the public comment period of the meeting. The mayor also barred Roberts from speaking at future meetings.
On January 11, 2016, Roberts attempted to deliver a prepared statement on Resolution 2016-2, a controversial, formal resolution to censure Councilmember Terry Crow. Through his statement, Roberts planned to call for the censure of Mayor Shelley Welsch, who he believes mistreated city firefighters and disregarded decency and justice when she proposed outsourcing emergency medical services. Roberts’s prepared statement was relevant because Roberts, and many others, believe Mayor Welsch introduced Resolution 2016-2 to punish Councilmember Crow for opposing her outsourcing decision.
However, before Roberts could complete his statement, Mayor Welsch interrupted him and accused him of making personal attacks. Instead of allowing him to finish speaking, she ordered law enforcement to remove him from the building.
“It was a misuse of Mayor Welsch’s power to intimidate and remove an individual exercising his right to free speech as protected by the First Amendment,” explains Tony Rothert, legal director of the ACLU of Missouri.
“The Constitution protects free speech and due process for all citizens, even when those in positions of power do not like the content of what is being said or the viewpoints expressed,” says Jeffrey A. Mittman, executive director of the ACLU of Missouri. “It is unacceptable that Mayor Welsch abused her power and violated Mr. Roberts’ constitutional rights to share his concerns about what’s happening in his community.”
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