I believe that the changes proposed under the "Conduct of the Public" section of the Council Rules of Procedure are in contradiction to the values and practice of participatory democracy and free speech. It is shameful that our elected officials are seeking to silence dissenting opinions rather than considering the needs of all constituents and welcoming the very dialogue that city council meetings are intended to promote. I urge the council to rescind this unnecessary, undemocratic proposal.
This is an anti-democratic measure that likely would not withstand a civil suit. Our tax money would be wasted in fruitlessly defending a policy that gives elected representatives the right to ban constituents from whom they do not want to hear.
This is also particularly loaded against our neighbors who speak with passion and emotion about the impact of policies on their own lives and the lives of other neighbors.
I believe that the changes proposed under the "Conduct of the Public" section of the Council Rules of Procedure are in contradiction to the values and practice of participatory democracy and free speech. It is shameful that our elected officials are seeking to silence dissenting opinions rather than considering the needs of all constituents and welcoming the very dialogue that city council meetings are intended to promote. I urge the council to rescind this unnecessary, undemocratic proposal.
This is an anti-democratic measure that likely would not withstand a civil suit. Our tax money would be wasted in fruitlessly defending a policy that gives elected representatives the right to ban constituents from whom they do not want to hear.
This is also particularly loaded against our neighbors who speak with passion and emotion about the impact of policies on their own lives and the lives of other neighbors.
Please see my comments, attached.