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Cullman County resident says district attorney threatened arrest over courthouse sign; commission says free speech is protected but permission not required
Summary
Resident Zachary Jones told the Cullman County Commission he was threatened with arrest while holding a sign on courthouse property despite filing paperwork; commissioners said they support lawful free speech but that granting or denying permission for demonstrations is not the commission's role.
Zachary Jones addressed the Cullman County Commission during public comment, saying he followed required procedures to hold a sign at the courthouse but was told by the county district attorney he could be arrested. Jones said he had registered the demonstration and that threats of arrest were unjustified after his years of military and community service. "For me and my family to be threatened with arrest, for me being absolutely correct after serving my country and serving my community, I will not stand for," Jones said.
A commissioner (identified in the transcript as Speaker 6) replied that the commission supports lawful free speech but does not have the legal authority to grant or deny permission to protest outside the courthouse. The commissioner said the body limits speaking time at meetings to keep order and that Jones did not need prior approval to exercise his rights in other public forums, provided his conduct is peaceful and lawful. "We don't need to give him permission or deny him," the commissioner said, adding that the commission's role is not to be involved in that legal question.
The exchange ended without a formal action; commissioners reiterated support of citizens' lawful expression and noted internal limits on public-comment time during meetings. Jones had been allotted three minutes for his remarks.
