{"id":2331578,"date":"2024-08-27T10:01:01","date_gmt":"2024-08-27T14:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mayor-has-woman-who-raised-concerns-about-a-city-official-arrested-at-city-council-meeting\/"},"modified":"2024-08-27T10:07:10","modified_gmt":"2024-08-27T14:07:10","slug":"mayor-has-woman-who-raised-concerns-about-a-city-official-arrested-at-city-council-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mayor-has-woman-who-raised-concerns-about-a-city-official-arrested-at-city-council-meeting\/","title":{"rendered":"Mayor Has Woman Who Raised Concerns About a City Official Arrested at City Council Meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmayor-has-woman-who-raised-concerns-about-a-city-official-arrested-at-city-council-meeting%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2331578&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The community of Surprise, Arizona, is embroiled in a First Amendment debate following the arrest of activist Rebekah Massie during\u2064 a \u200b<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/huntington-beach-considering-a-slew-of-changes-for-voters-to-decide-on-2024-ballot\/\" title=\"Huntington Beach mulls multiple changes for 2024 ballot.\">city council \u2063meeting<\/a>. Mayor Skip Hall interrupted Massie\u2062 as she \u200dattempted to voice a\u2062 complaint against city officials, citing\u2062 city rules that prohibit public \u2064complaints about individual \u200cemployees. Massie contended\u200b that her rights were \u200dviolated and\u2063 expressed her concerns that restricting her speech infringed on her First Amendment rights. After a confrontation with Hall\u200b over the legitimacy of city policies, police were summoned, leading to her \u2062arrest for\u2064 trespassing and resisting arrest, with her 10-year-old daughter witnessing the incident.<\/p>\n<p>Following the arrest, various groups, \u200cincluding\u200c the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression,\u200d expressed their intent to support Massie&#8217;s case, arguing that \u2063citizens should be able to\u200b <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-gag-order-raises-critical-questions-about-free-speech-future-of-american-elections\/\" title=\"Trump&#039;s Gag Order Sparks Concerns for Free Speech and US Elections.\">criticize public officials<\/a> without fear \u200cof retaliation. Legal\u200c experts\u200b noted the questionable constitutionality of \u2062restricting public speech at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/flint-councilman-threatens-crackhead-colleague-he-says-is-trying-to-control-100-million-in-coronavirus-funds\/\" title=\"Flint Councilman Threatens \u2018Crackhead\u2019 Colleague He Says Is Trying To \u2018Control\u2019 0 Million In Coronavirus Funds\">council meetings<\/a>, with calls \u2062for accountability regarding her \u200cphysical removal by the \u2062police. Mayor-elect Kevin Sartor condemned Hall&#8217;s actions, \u200demphasizing \u2063the importance of free speech in ensuring government\u200b accountability.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> <script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>The community of Surprise, Arizona, has become a First Amendment battlefield after its mayor last week had an activist arrested, claiming city rules forbade her to voice a complaint in public.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I have certain inalienable rights, and they were not only trampled on, but the mayor essentially weaponized the police force to shut me up that night,&rdquo; Rebekah Massie said, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.12news.com\/article\/news\/local\/valley\/free-speech-or-disorderly-conduct-surprise-woman-arrested-city-council-meeting\/75-b7eabe5e-dc1e-4f56-b996-1a8649818063\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KPNX<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Massie, 32, was charged with suspicion of trespassing, a class 3 misdemeanor, and class 1 misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and obstructing government operations, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.azcentral.com\/story\/news\/local\/surprise\/2024\/08\/22\/surprise-council-meeting-ends-with-arrest-sparking-free-speech-claim\/74897050007\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arizona Republic.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>As shown in a <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RealSpikeCohen\/status\/1827894224605376936\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">post on X<\/a>, Mayor Skip Hall interrupted Massie, telling her that the city&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/inspiration-longtime-espn-host-quits-network-exercise-first-amendment-rights-freely\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rules<\/a> for the public comment part of city council meetings ban complaints about individual city employees.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all fine and good, but that&rsquo;s a violation of my First Amendment rights,&rdquo; Massie said.<\/p>\n<p>  <script> \t\t\t\tif( ! getCookie( 'ff_subbed' ) ) if( typeof FFADS.replace_ict !='undefined' ) if( FFADS.replace_ict ) eval( FFADS.replace_ict ); \t\t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Well, this is your warning, OK?&rdquo; Hall said.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">This woman&rsquo;s name is Rebekah Massie.<\/p>\n<p>She was arrested by Mayor <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/skiphall2?\">@SkipHall2<\/a> for talking about how much certain city officials are being paid.<\/p>\n<p>Rebekah is a Member of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/YATPOfficial?\">@YATPOfficial<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Hey Skip, you&rsquo;ll be hearing from us soon.<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/0W3Lp93psb\">pic.twitter.com\/0W3Lp93psb<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Spike Cohen (@RealSpikeCohen) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RealSpikeCohen\/status\/1827894224605376936?\">August 26, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>  &ldquo;A warning for what?&rdquo; Massie said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;A warning for attacking the city attorney personally,&rdquo; the mayor said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is all factual information,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;You&rsquo;re violating my First Amendment rights.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t matter. This is what you agreed to when first speaking,&rdquo; he said before the two argued over whether the city policy was unconstitutional.<\/p>\n<p>Hall then summoned police.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Do not touch me,&rdquo; Massie said to an officer assigned to escort her from the council chamber. The officer ignored Massie&rsquo;s pleas not to be touched, put her hands behind her back, and led her from the chamber. Massie&rsquo;s 10-year-old daughter was with her mother and saw police arrest her mom.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Why am I being detained,&rdquo; Massie asked as she <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/brooklyn-center-mayor-cops-dont-necessarily-need-to-be-armed-during-traffic-stops\/\" title=\"Brooklyn Center Mayor: Cops Don\u2019t \u2018Necessarily\u2019 Need To Be Armed During Traffic Stops\">resisted police attempts<\/a> to remove her.<\/p>\n<p>She can later be heard yelling, &ldquo;Let go of me.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In a <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TheFIREorg\/status\/1828075884726861938\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">post on X<\/a>, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression said it will fight for Massie&rsquo;s right to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/gadsen-flag-kid-slaps-colorado-school-district-lawsuit-alleging-first-amendment-violations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">speak her mind<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;City of Surprise: We&rsquo;ll see you in court. The First Amendment protects Americans&rsquo; right to criticize public officials without being arrested,&rdquo; it posted.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think that she may have a case against the City of Surprise,&rdquo; constitutional law attorney Robert McWhirter said, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.azfamily.com\/2024\/08\/27\/city-surprise-under-scrutiny-arresting-woman-during-council-meeting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KPHO-TV<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The physical removal by being handcuffed by a deputy, well, lets just say, that is a pretty bad look. I think it was a poor response of the city council to a citizen talking,&rdquo; McWhirter said.<\/p>\n<p>McWhirter said <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/elon-musk-goes-nuclear-isnt-violation-constitutions-first-amendment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">limits<\/a> on public speech at meetings can be imposed, but said that &ldquo;The issue here is that they are restricting her speech. We are allowed to criticize our government and who is in our government.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Mayor-elect Kevin Sartor <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/justice-ketanji-brown-jackson-true-thoughts-first-amendment-slip-obstacle-hamstringing-government\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criticized<\/a> Hall&rsquo;s conduct.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;As Americans, our right to free speech is fundamental, especially when it comes to holding our government accountable. What happened to Rebekah Massie is unacceptable. No citizen should ever be arrested for voicing their concerns, especially in a forum specifically designed for public input,&rdquo; he said, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/arizonadailyindependent.com\/2024\/08\/26\/mayor-elect-kevin-sartor-condemns-arrest-of-surprise-resident-defends-first-amendment-rights\/#google_vignette\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arizona Daily Independent<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\">  <\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> <label>* Name<\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> <\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> <label>* <\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> <\/div>\n<p> <label>* Message<\/label> <br \/> <textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea>  <\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> <input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\">  <\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script>  <\/div>\n<p>   <script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\">  <\/div>\n<style> \t\t\t \t\t\t.insticator-unit.type-commenting{margin: 0 10px 25px 10px}@media screen and (max-width:1060px){#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{margin: 0 auto 25px auto !important;}}#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{height: 280px !important; width: 336px !important} \t\t<\/style>\n<div class=\"insticator-unit type-commenting\">\n<div class=\"insticator-ads\">   <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> <\/div>\n<div class=\"insticator-ads additional\">   <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The city of Surprise, Arizona, has turned into a battleground for First Amendment rights after the mayor arrested an activist last week, asserting that local regulations prohibited her from expressing a complaint publicly. Rebekah Massie stated, &#8220;I have certain inalienable rights that were not only violated but the mayor effectively used the police to silence me that night,&#8221; as reported by KPNX. Massie, 32, faces charges including suspicion of trespassing (a class 3 misdemeanor) and resisting arrest and obstructing government operations (both class 1 misdemeanors), according to the Arizona Republic. <\/p>\n<p>In a post on X, Mayor Skip Hall interrupted Massie during her comments at a city council meeting, stating that city rules prevent complaints about individual employees during public comment periods. Massie responded by asserting her First Amendment rights were being infringed upon. Hall then issued what he called a warning regarding her remarks about the city attorney.<\/p>\n<p>Massie questioned this warning and insisted she was sharing factual information while claiming her rights were being violated. The mayor maintained that she had agreed to follow city policies when speaking before summoning police officers to remove her from the chamber. Despite pleading not to be touched as an officer attempted to escort her out, she was handcuffed and led away while her 10-year-old daughter witnessed the incident.<\/p>\n<p>The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression announced its intention to support Massie&#8217;s right to free speech on social media: &#8220;City of Surprise: We\u2019ll see you in court.&#8221; Constitutional law expert Robert McWhirter commented on the situation saying it reflects poorly on how the council handled a citizen&#8217;s expression of concerns and emphasized citizens&#8217; right to criticize their government.<\/p>\n<p>Mayor-elect Kevin Sartor condemned Hall&#8217;s actions as unacceptable and stressed that no citizen should face arrest for voicing concerns in designated public forums designed for community input<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2331579,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/public-arrest.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[5175,33772,39367,4602,34186],"class_list":["post-2331578","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-arrest","tag-city-council","tag-community-concerns","tag-mayor","tag-political-issues"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/public-arrest.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2331578","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2331578"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2331578\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2331579"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2331578"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2331578"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2331578"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}