Arizona City Scraps Legally Dubious Public Comment Policy

Surprise City Council

The Surprise City Council unanimously scrapped its public comment policy as it faces a lawsuit from a local activist’s removal from a recent meeting.

The rule limited the ability to “lodge charges or complaints against any employee of the City or members of the body” during council meetings public comment period and instead required people to refer their issues to the city manager instead. The motion was introduced by Councilman Jack Hastings, who said on Friday that “people should be able to voice their concerns and criticize their government and elected officials” in an announcement to X on Friday.

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