LEAKED: Police Chief's Anti-First Amendment Message to his Officers

SURPRISE, Ariz., Oct. 24, 2024 — A judge threw out the criminal charge looming over the head of an Arizona mom who was arrested for criticizing a city attorney’s pay raise at a city council meeting. The judge called the government’s suppression of Rebekah Massie’s speech “objectively outrageous” and dismissed her trespass charge. 

“For more than two months I’ve been living with the threat of punishment and jail time — being taken away from my kids, even — for doing nothing more than criticizing the government,” said Rebekah. “Free speech still matters in America, and I can’t tell you what a relief it is to have people on my side standing up for our rights with me.” 

Bret Royle, an attorney at Feldman Royle, represented Rebekah in the criminal case. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression represents Rebekah in her federal lawsuit, filed on Sept. 3. 

The lawsuit challenges the Surprise, Arizona, city rule that forbids people from criticizing government officials at city council meetings. After FIRE’s lawsuit, the city ditched the rule. 

“Rebekah should never have been detained, let alone criminally charged, for speaking her mind,” said Royle. “That’s the kind of thing that happens in tyrannical countries but should never happen here. No American should face jail time for exercising their freedom of speech, and we’re relieved the court agreed.”

GO READ THE WHOLE THING.