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Speakers urge Fayetteville to apply Fourth Friday rules evenly; request city proclamation on First Amendment protections
Summary
Multiple public-forum speakers told council the Cool Springs Fourth Friday policy excludes religious and political viewpoints while allowing advocacy groups, and asked the council to ensure equal treatment and consider a proclamation affirming First Amendment protections.
Several speakers at the Fayetteville City Council public forum on March 13 urged the council to review and apply the Cool Springs Downtown District Fourth Friday participation policy consistently, saying some advocacy groups are allowed while religious and conservative groups are excluded.
Kalista Dela Cruz Cuevas told the council that at a March 3 work session officials said Fourth Friday events are limited to arts and entertainment, but she argued the rule is being applied inconsistently. “For years, Fayetteville Bridal has been allowed to participate in every single Fourth Friday. Their focus is LGBTQ+ activism, not arts and entertainment. Planned Parenthood has also participated,” she said, asking why some advocacy groups are allowed while others are banned and urging a proclamation that the city upholds First Amendment protections for organizations doing city-funded work.
Gail Morpheus, speaking after Cuevas, said the city should “open it to everyone” and urged equitable treatment across cultures and viewpoints when selecting participants for events. Jose Cardona raised concerns about the Downtown Cool Springs organization’s leadership and influence and said he sees a lack of representation for some viewpoints.
Tracy Pelt asked the council to consider creating a faith commission on boards and commissions so faith-based voices have a formal role in city decision-making. Several speakers framed their requests as calls for fairness and equal treatment rather than partisan demands.
Council members did not take immediate action on policy changes during the meeting but said staff and relevant downtown event organizers would be available to follow up with speakers who requested more information. The public forum is conducted under the council’s public forum policy, which limits each speaker to three minutes.
Speakers asked the council to clarify whether Fourth Friday is strictly arts-focused or if advocacy organizations are permitted, and asked that the rule, whatever it is, be applied uniformly to all groups.
