Arizona mom arrested for criticizing officials at public meeting sues for rights violation
By Natalie O’Neill
Published Aug. 30, 2024, 5:02 p.m. ET
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Eat your heart out, North Korea.
An Arizona mom was arrested for violating a bizarre authoritarian-style city law that forbids anyone from criticizing city officials at public meetings — outraging a free speech group that now plans to sue, officials told The Post.
Rebekah Massie, 32, was speaking out against a proposed $12,000 raise for Surprise City Attorney Robert Wingo — who reportedly already earns $266,000 annually — at a city council meeting on Aug. 20, when she was cut off by Mayor Skip Hall.
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It wasn’t immediately clear how Massie could be arrested for trespassing at a meeting that was open to the public.
Surprise Police Chief Benny Pina and Mayor Skip Hall didn’t return calls from The Post Friday.
Sgt. Richard Hernandez, a public information officer for the city, told The Post a person may be charged with trespassing if they are asked by a “police officer or the owner of a property” to leave and refuse.
He said the police chief had not asked Massie to leave the meeting — but declined to elaborate on how the law applies to the incident, considering Mayor Hall doesn’t own Surprise City Hall, where the meeting took place.
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Governor of Arizona Katie Hobbs. $95,000.
Attorney General of Arizona Kris Mayes. $90,000.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. $70,000.
So why is Surprise City Attorney being paid 266,000? That’s more than the top THREE state officials.
And, no now seems to understand that the First Amendment applies to the States under the current Supreme Court concept of “incorporation”!
I’ve often thought that Gooferment salaries were out of line and this just proves it.
If I was an Arizona citizen, then I’d insist that no one can be paid MORE than the Governor. Just like no one should be paid more than the President of the United States.
Argh!
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Reinke Faces Life 