The right to petition one’s government is a constitutionally protected right. This is because public engagement and robust debate are essential to a healthy democracy. Therefore, it is imperative that our public meeting rules do not undermine the people’s right to participate.
We appreciate the San Diego County Board of Supervisors’ concerns about County staff experiencing a hostile work environment, including racist comments.
We look forward to working with the Board to ensure that First Amendment rights are protected and that vulnerable communities are not inadvertently disenfranchised.
David Loy, ACLU-SDIC Legal Director
