Thumbs up and thumbs down is all we have left to express ourselves in Fairfax.
My very good attorney looked carefully at the “decorum guidelines” adopted by the Town Council on Nov. 1. It is borderline a violation of the First Amendment of our Constitution. It infringes on our freedom of expression and our ability to voice dissent.
Speaking Truth to Power in Fairfax has earned citizens a blanket gag on free expression at Council meetings.
The catch phrase in the guidelines uses the word “disruptive” as a reason to expel anyone or any group of people. No clapping, booing, foot stomping, hissing, cheering or even holding up Placards or signs that show opposition to the Town Council’s faulty planning. It’s a refusal to recognize the unhappiness of the people they supposedly were elected to serve.
I am appalled this has happened in my beloved hometown since 1984.
So, I wish to encourage everyone who has been gagged by these rules to express themselves by silently using the thumbs up and thumbs down sign at future TC meetings so that the video record shows the amount of approval, or discontent, is generated. If you agree with a speaker or a council member, give them the thumbs up. If you disagree, give ‘em the thumbs down.
Rise up Fairfax. Power to the People.
(Lynnette Shaw is a Fairfax resident and businesswoman in Fairfax.)
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