Man arrested while speaking at Newton city council

[sl8]

https://www.kcci.com/article/iowa-man-arrested-while-speaking-at-newton-city-council/41549420
(video at link )

[div arrested while speaking at Newton city council

Noah Petersen had just started his public comments criticizing police, when the mayor put a stop to it. He was eventually handcuffed at the podium.

Updated: 6:35 PM CDT Oct 6, 2022
Andrew Mollenbeck

NEWTON, Iowa —
A man from Newton was arrested while he was speaking at a city council meeting Monday, bringing into focus the balancing act between local council rules and First Amendment rights.

Noah Petersen, who describes himself as an activist, tried to use his allocated three minutes to criticize police department actions.

"Defund Newton Police Department," he began. "They are a violent civil and human rights-violating organization."

He went on to make accusations involving an unnamed employee at the department, when Mayor Michael Hansen banged the gavel.

[...]

[marble falls]

1. Perfect case for the ACLU.

[Cairycat]

2. Yes, I didn't understand

what he had done to be taken away other than saying things they didn't like and not ceasing when they told him to - which was before his three minutes were up, as I understand - !