Residents criticize council's Israel resolution at Southwest Ranches meeting; council cites disruptions for removals

At a Town of Southwest Ranches council meeting, multiple residents and an attorney urged the council to retract or clarify a resolution that expresses support for Israel, arguing the town curtailed free speech at earlier meetings.

Attorney Hassan Shibi, who said he represents Mary Mitchell, told the council he was concerned his client had been denied the opportunity to speak at a previous meeting and had been forcibly removed. "What makes America great is the First Amendment," Shibi said, urging the town to allow all viewpoints to be expressed even if they are unpopular.

Mary Michelle, who gave a local address during public comment, said the town and police "failed to do so" by imposing what she described as "arbitrary restrictions" on speech and assembly tied to the council's resolution. "An injustice for one is an injustice for all," she said.

Other speakers used the public-comment period to criticize the council’s stance. Amna called council members "hypocrites" and described the council's support of Israel as a moral betrayal that, she said, risks normalizing violence. Krishna Madan, a retired history teacher and U.S. Army veteran, urged the council to retract the resolution and said critics of Israel have been labeled "anti‑Semite" as a means to silence them.

Debbie Green, the final public speaker, described a local identity‑theft incident and defended the council's handling of public comment. Green said the town "afforded everyone their three minutes" and that an individual had been removed only because they disrupted the pledge of allegiance at the start of a meeting. "They would have had their three minutes at public comment," she said.

Mayor Bright Cruz and other council members responded by urging visitors to read the resolution and noting that video of past meetings is publicly available. The mayor said the town welcomes peaceful protest and comment, but that individuals who disrupt meetings can be asked to leave. "You have a right to peacefully protest. You don't have a right to disrupt meetings," he said.

No council action was taken to rescind or amend the resolution during the meeting. Staff and council suggested anyone seeking clarity obtain a copy of the resolution from the clerk and review the publicly available meeting videos; potential legal claims were mentioned but no formal legal action by the town was announced.

The council moved on to regular business after public comment; several speakers who spoke about the resolution said they might seek further legal or public avenues outside the council meeting.

The council did not schedule a follow-up discussion on the resolution at this meeting.