![]() In a follow-up interview with Newton News, Petersen said if given the chance to finish his statement he would have expanded on a few other points in addition to his comments about the department supporting domestic abuse. People speaking at public meetings should not have cops involved and be cut off." There was no telling him to stop speaking. "They actually let one person speak over the three-minute period. The city did not want to hear his criticism, he said. Petersen believes it was wrong for the police chief to arrest him. Chris Wing to remove Petersen from the chambers. 6 council meeting, he read from the same statement during a resolution approving the design and construction of a park project and a resolution amending the contract with Teamsters Local 120. This most recent council meeting was not the first time Petersen tried to share his criticisms of the city and police department.Īt the Sept. PETERSEN MADE PREVIOUS APPEARANCES AT COUNCIL MEETINGS Petersen's statement recommended the funds be used to aid people with substance abuse issues and create an "actually viable public transportation system." He also told council to give money to a different organization that deals with traffic infractions "instead of an armed paramilitary."įunds should also be used, he added, to deal with the housing crisis "by creating a robust public housing program for the poor and working class." He later shared the full statement on social media, where he tells city council to reallocate funds from the police department to a number of other areas that he says will "actually help people." Newton police said Petersen became disruptive and refused several directives by law enforcement to leave the podium as directed by the mayor.Īt the meeting, Petersen was reading from a prepared statement on the Notes app of his phone. The police department alleged Petersen was speaking in a manner that was deemed to be in violation of the stated rules for citizen participation. Newton News reached out to Burdess and the city administrator for comment and was given a press release about the incident. POLICE DEPARTMENT ISSUES PRESS RELEASE ON INCIDENT Petersen was then charged with disorderly conduct and transported to Jasper County Jail. Petersen was escorted quietly into the atrium of city hall, where Burdess patted him down in a search for weapons, drugs and paraphernalia, finding nothing. "Arrest me for speaking my First Amendment rights. When Petersen said he would not leave, Burdess asked him if he wanted to be arrested. ![]() "You are violating the First Amendment."īurdess reiterated to Petersen that he was told to leave. "I have a right to criticize the government if I want to criticize the government," Petersen said. ![]() Petersen's comments referenced a specific officer but did not outwardly call the officer by name. The city requires comments or questions during citizen participation must be related to city policies or the provision of city services and shall not include derogatory statements or comments about any individual. The mayor said his three minutes had ceased and that he violated the rules. Petersen refused and said he would speak for his three minutes. The police chief approached the podium and tried to get Petersen to leave. However, Petersen had only spoke for a minute before the mayor cut him off. ![]() Others already spoke before Petersen and were held to the time limit. When recognized by the mayor, each person is given three minutes to speak. Christopher Braunschweig October 4, 2022Īt every council meeting, the mayor allows citizens to address the council on matters included in the consent agenda or a matter that is not on the regular agenda. During public comment, Petersen criticized the police department and said it supports domestic abuse, referring to a specific officer. ![]() Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess arrested a man by the name of Noah Petersen tonight at a city council meeting. "You are violating the United States Constitution," Petersen said. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |