Civil liberties attorneys and community activists are fighting a proposed crackdown on people who disrupt public meetings at Los Angeles City Hall, arguing that the measure would violate their rights to free speech.
Under the proposed rules, shouting from the audience and other unruly behavior could get people banned from attending City Council and committee meetings for several days at a time. Council members had argued that the restrictions are needed to maintain order and ensure that people feel safe at public meetings.
The push to tighten city rules follows years of complaints about racial epithets, profane and misogynistic language and other outbursts from the audience during city meetings. Some neighborhood advocates say that behavior has made them hesitant to testify in person at City Hall.
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