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Aldermen debate profanity restrictions in public comment; First Amendment experts urge narrower rule
Summary
Aldermen debated whether to restrict profanity during public comment and heard legal testimony that a blanket ban risks violating the First Amendment.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen held extended public comment and a policymaking discussion about proposed changes to Rule 3, the meeting conduct rule that would restrict profanity and vulgar language during public comment. Several residents and First Amendment experts addressed the board, urging narrower language and compliance with constitutional protections for speech in a public forum.
Mark Hayward, speaking as a resident, argued that terms such as "profanity" and "vulgarity" are vague and warned the rule could be applied unevenly. Greg Sullivan, president of…
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