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Sellersburg council adopts revised public-comment rules after residents warn of First Amendment risks
Summary
After hours of public comment and lawyer-led edits, the Sellersburg Town Council approved amendments to its public-comment ordinance that narrow when speakers may be removed or barred, prompting warnings from residents that the draft risked suppressing protected speech.
The Town of Sellersburg Council voted April 27 to adopt amendments to its public-comment ordinance after two residents raised constitutional concerns and council legal staff narrowed language to focus on conduct that rises to criminal disorderly conduct.
Public commenters urged the council to reject broad language they said could chill criticism. Keith Lamont told the council the draft contained multiple provisions that were “overly broad” and could silence sharp criticism of public officials, arguing courts have repeatedly held that offensive…
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