The ACLU of Louisiana sent an open letter yesterday to the Jefferson Parish School Board, concerning a proposed measure which would restrict public comments at meetings. The proposal seeks to prohibit “political and/or election comments” as “disruptive, inflammatory, self-promoting, threatening and/or interferes with” Board business.
“Political comments by the public at a public meeting of a public body are a hallmark of American democracy,” said Jane Johnson, ACLU of Louisiana interim Executive Director. “This proposal to ban political comments by members of the public at school board meetings is an unlawful, unconstitutional, and unnecessary affront to the freedom of speech and the rights of Jefferson Parish citizens. We urge the Board to reject this unlawful policy.”
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