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Resident tells council he was blocked on councilman’s Facebook page, cites US Supreme Court precedent
Summary
Sam Reyna told council he believes Councilman Jeff Pena deleted his comment on a councilman-run Facebook page and urged the council to respect transparency and free speech; the comment was part of the public-comment period and no council action followed.
Sam Reyna used the public-comment period at the Freeport City Council meeting on May 5 to accuse Councilman Jeff Pena of suppressing constituents on a council-related Facebook page.
"It is unacceptable that Freeport City Councilman Jeff Pena is using his Jeff Pena for Freeport Ward a Facebook page, an extension of his public office to suppress free speech," Reyna said. Reyna said Pena deleted his comment after Reyna criticized a television interview by the councilman. He also referenced a U.S. Supreme Court holding, saying "public officials cannot censor or block constituents from indication on official social media platforms."
Reyna identified himself and his address to the council and framed his remarks as a transparency and accountability concern. The council did not take formal action during the meeting to investigate the claim; Reyna's remarks were part of the public-comment portion of the agenda.
No council member or staff responded during the public-comment segment with a motion or staff directive to investigate the social-media allegation. The matter, as presented, remained a public complaint on the record.
