Surprise, AZ About To Learn The 1st Amendment Means Something After Mayor Has Outspoken Mom Arrested

Posted • September 4, 2024: The First Amendment is very clear that redressing grievances with the government is a fundamental right. It's a concept foreign to Skip Hall, mayor of Surprize, Arizona. Mayor Hall had a mom -- Rebekah Massie -- arrested at a public meeting. What did Massie do? She had the audacity to question the pay raise of a city official. LAWSUIT: With FIRE’s help, an Arizona mom is suing the City of Surprise, AZ., after the mayor ordered her arrest for questioning a pay raise for a city official. In America, the last thing citizens should fear when they attend public meetings is leaving in handcuffs. When Surprise resident Rebekah Massie criticized the city attorney’s pay during a public comment period, she was interrupted, ejected, and arrested in front of her 10-year-old daughter. Absolutely insane. The 'rule' prohibiting criticism is ridiculous and unconstitutional.

Surprise Mayor Skip Hall interrupted Rebekah, saying she broke a city rule prohibiting “charges or complaints against any employee of the City or members of the body.” The mayor promised to have Rebekah ejected any time “you attack any staff member.” Rebekah’s “attack” on a staff member was simply her exercising her right to criticize the government — speech protected by the First Amendment! That’s why FIRE is helping Rebekah ensure the City of Surprise can’t keep ignoring the Constitution by silencing its citizens. -- Mayor Hall is really stretching the definition of 'attack' here, isn't he? We're glad they're bringing a suit. “I wanted to teach my daughter the importance of standing up for her rights — now I’m teaching that lesson to the city,” said Rebekah. FIRE will be right by her side, teaching the City of Surprise the importance of free speech. (…)

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https://twitchy.com/amy-curtis/2024/09/04/fireorg-surprise-az-mom-city-council-lawsuit-n2400508