Three people filed lawsuits in federal court in Gainesville last week, challenging Statham’s right to ban them from public meetings and city property.
The lawsuits were filed Oct. 15.
Two of the three, Sondra Moore and Tony McDaniel, are seeking “preliminary and-or permanent injunctive relief” for their “notices of prohibited entry” that were issued in May.
A hearing on that injunction has been set for 1 p.m. Nov. 16, according to Zack Greenamyre one of their attorneys.
The other suit is by Catherine Corkren, who was banned at a Sept. 13 meeting. It also seeks damages and injunctive relief.
The criminal trespass notice to Moore and McDaniel was issued after the two walked on rights-of-way for the city’s sewer system.
The two maintain they were told by city officials, “including Mayor Robert Bridges,” that they “could return at any time.”
The two did return and were told by a Statham police officer “to leave the area, which they promptly did.” Officer John Wood told the two to leave the area, the suit says.
The suit adds, “(Moore and McDaniel) had no further contact with the area, but Statham Chief of Police Allan Johnston swore out warrants for the arrest (of the two) for trespass.”
The two say they returned to Hillman-Rainwater Park May 6 “for the purpose of gathering information ahead of the May 8, 2018, meeting of the water, sewer and public works subcommittee.”
See more in the Oct. 24 edition of the Barrow News-Journal.
Some opine that the officials are wrongly using the police and justice system to silence anyone who dares to challenge them. Especially to silence the citizens/supporters who are suing the city and police over the Lofton arrests.
Others say these arrests are the local politicians/cops way to "personally" punish people who challenge them. Getting arrested "costs" and the goal is to really inconvenience the citizen who dared to question.
Statham officials have been escalating over time. From simple rudeness, then to public rants, then to banning, and to actual arrests.
Kinda makes ya wonder what these apparently unnerved officials might try next. It is a little scary to think that worse things - like unjustified police contacts, concocted mid-night raids, or "planted' bad substances, could be in the offing.
Pray for speedy resolution of all those lawsuits, fair trials, and then let the healing begin.
"Officially foolish," nincompoop officials, it seems! And those two people are reportedly filing civil suits because of this mess. Two more lawsuits coming!
Who could blame those two people for suing? After all, these officials have a steady pattern of abusing their authority to silence and suppress others. For Mrs. Moore (arrested twice in one day!) and Mr. Mcdaniel, the harm they experienced was well known to neighbors there. Jailed, lost income, loss of dignity, loss of freedom, financial suffering.
Officials don't get to arrest people at their fancy, doling out personal punishment via jailtime! This is still America - even in Statham. One hopes that Lady justice prevails.
The next Statham council meeting is Tuesday Nov 20 at 7PM. Let us observe: Did these officials learn anything from the Lofton mess, or not?
Will the mayor, chief and council apologize?
Stay tuned.