The Concerned Citizens of Indianola/Sunflower County group was back before the Indianola Board of Aldermen for a second consecutive meeting this week (The news article can be found on page 11).
The group had been previously denied a meeting space on government grounds due to the fact that they are perceived to be a political group, something its representative Barbara McDaniel-Suggs denies.
McDaniel-Suggs walked back a statement she made during her first appearance before the board on this issue back in February when she stated, and I am paraphrasing, that the Concerned Citizens group was a political group, and they also address other concerns within the community that she said do not fall under politics.
A visit to the organization’s Facebook page reveals a plethora of political activity. I have yet to be added to the group, as I hope to be soon, but the political motivation is undeniable.
There are multiple campaign signs on the site dating back to Indianola’s most recent municipal election, including banners for recently-elected Ward 4 Alderman Marvin Elder.
Elder was asked by Mayor Steve Rosenthal to recuse himself from the conversation and second vote on Monday night regarding the city allowing Concerned Citizens a venue to conduct their meetings.
Rosenthal said that Elder was a member of the organization, to which Elder replied that since Rosenthal had attended the group’s first meeting, he was a member as well.
Rosenthal denied his membership, saying that the group rejected his request to join on Facebook.
What can be seen on the group’s page bears zero political signs or banners in favor of Rosenthal, but there are several campaign signs for one of his Democratic opponents, Vivian Jenkins.
The group can claim it’s merely concerned with “issues” surrounding the community, but that’s like the Tea Party saying “we’re just concerned about taxes, big government and waste, but we’re not political.”
All of that being said, my gut tells me that the city may not have to reject Concerned Citizens’ request for a public meeting space on the basis that they are a political group.
I can certainly see where there would be concerns about partisan groups meeting in government buildings, but I’m not sure it’s illegal.
They may certainly reject the group for other reasons, but my scouring of Mississippi Code and state law found no restrictions on such activities. The Attorney General’s office does not issue opinions to the press, but my own research yielded little to address the subject.
I am willing to change my mind if someone puts an opinion or law in front of me that says a politically-motivated group cannot meet in a government space, but my gut sides with Concerned Citizens.
The American Civil Liberties Union is also vague on this subject, which tells you there is likely some wiggle room for the city on this issue.
“In addition, your speech activity may be permitted to take place at other public locations that the government has opened up to similar speech activities, such as the plazas in front of government buildings,” the ACLU said about political activity on government property.
I am aware there is a policy that puts restrictions on groups wishing to meet at the Bethune Center and the Scout Hut, but that may not be as inclusive as it needs to be in regard to protecting the right to free assembly.
The city does have the right to impose fees on groups that are using these buildings after hours. The city will have to pay for labor to be present until the meeting is adjourned, and in some instances, there may be need of city-provided police.
All of these things can be hashed out if the two sides are willing to give a little.
There are issues that must be addressed.
For instance, Elder should consider removing his status as a member of the group, now that he is a representative of all of Indianola. That’s not to say Elder should not attend the meetings.
In fact, Concerned Citizens should invite each alderman, the mayor, each member of the board of supervisors and department heads to their meetings.
Those individuals should be there to listen to the concerns of the group and not to participate in political sabre rattling.
Concerned Citizens should know that if the city eventually gives the group access to its facilities, that these meetings are open to the public and members of the press. No one can be shut out unless they are causing a disturbance or threatening others in the room.
In my opinion, the group is very much political, but it should not be denied on that basis alone.
