Michigan Mayor was sued by Eastpointe, Michigan residents alleging that the mayor abused her power by trying to silence the critics.
In an exclusive report released by Detroit Free Press, it was revealed that four Eastpointe residents filed a federal lawsuit against the mayor and the city this week.
The residents accused the mayor of silencing her critics and abusing her power as the city leader after she cut her critics off during public comment in a meeting last September which reportedly ended abruptly when the other council members got up and left.
On Wednesday, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit filed the complaint before the U.S. District Court in Detroit against Mayor Monique Owens and the city on behalf of Mary Hall-Rayford, Karen Beltz, Karen Mouradjian and Cynthia Federle.
“It concerned us in terms of suppression of the First Amendment rights of these four women. They were interested in having their mayor not censor them,” Conor Fitzpatrick, an attorney with the foundation, said in a statement.
According to Fitzpatrick, a preliminary injunction was filed last Thursday seeking to prevent Owens from suppressing criticism while the lawsuit proceeds. He also added that the plaintiffs challenge what Owens is doing and the council’s rule under the First Amendment.
“When you’re asserting your federal rights, the proper place to do that is a federal court,” he added.
Detroit Free Press also added in its report that “Len Niehoff, a professor at the University of Michigan law school, said if a state entity and that includes a municipality or city — violates the First or Fourteenth Amendment, that raises a federal question and federal courts have jurisdiction. He had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment on its merits.”
The controversy arose after the June dispute between Owens and City Councilman Harvey Curley at the Cruisin’ Gratiot car show of which Curley is the longtime chairman.
Reports revealed that the former mayor of the city got frustrated that Owens spoke at the opening ceremonies.
“Owens said Curley put his hands in front of her face and cursed at her, causing her to fear for her safety, according to a petition for a personal protection order she filed against him. She also filed a police report. Curley was never arrested or charged, according to the lawsuit,” the report added.
According to the lawsuit the city attorney told Owens that members of the public have “free rein” to discuss whatever topics they choose. However, Owens ignored his advice.
“But Mayor Owens shouted Ms. Mouradjian down, too. After Ms. Mouradjian protested that Mayor Owens was trampling on Eastpointers’ First Amendment rights, the mayor belittled Ms. Mouradjian, telling her she could ‘talk about your cats and your dogs in the community but you won’t talk about me,” the lawsuit read.
