Valley City man sues for right to speak at public meetings in North Dakota
Residents are allowed to attend public meetings, but speaking during them is a privilege, North Dakota s attorney general said. Robert Drake claims the First Amendment guarantees his right to address elected officials. 5:14 pm, Dec. 11, 2020 ×
Robert Drake. Special to The Forum
Robert Drake, 67, filed a civil rights complaint Friday, Dec. 11, in federal court against Valley City commissioners and North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. He wants a federal judge to declare residents should be allowed to address leaders at public meetings in North Dakota without permission.
That would reverse Stenehjem’s opinions that speaking at meetings is a privilege, not a right.