HUNTINGTON BEACH
A lawsuit filed this week in Orange County Superior Court against Mayor Peter Green and the city alleges resident John Briscoe’s right to free speech was violated at a City Council meeting in April. The complaint demands unspecified monetary damages and a court order blocking the city from continuing its policy of “prohibiting negative public comments directed at individuals,” court documents show. Briscoe said he hopes the suit will compel the city and its officials to stop “chilling” free speech.
Green referred the matter to City Atty. Gail Hutton, who was unavailable for comment. On April 19, Green tried to silence Briscoe’s criticism of City Treasurer Shari Freidenrich during public comments. Green tried to turn off the microphone, but a faulty wire kept the power on.
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