ACLU defends Florence woman arrested for criticizing politicians
Sept. 10, 1999
On April 6, 1999, Elizabeth Romine was arrested for criticizing the Florence City Council. Using her allotted time at the City Council meeting, Ms. Romine accused the Florence politicians of acting like royalty and questioned their mental acuity.
Before her allotted time expired, the City Council had Ms. Romine arrested. She was tried and convicted of “obstructing governmental operations” in Florence Municipal Court. Her case is now on appeal to the Lauderdale County Circuit Court.
“Once again, politicians in Alabama claim the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution doesn’t apply to the citizens of this state,” said Pamela Sumners, ACLU of Alabama cooperating attorney and co-counsel for Ms. Romine. “Despite the clear right to petition the government, despite mountains of legal rulings, and despite the grand American tradition of criticizing our elected representatives, the Florence City Council appears to believe it operates by royal decree,” said Sumners. “As Ms. Romine so aptly put it when addressing the council, ‘Y’all ain’t royalty.’”
At the April meeting, Ms. Romine applied for and was granted five minutes to address the City Council. Although her speech was peppered with derision towards the council members, Ms. Romine never threatened to use force, never cursed, never intimidated anyone, was never disorderly and never committed an illegal act. Nonetheless, the City Council, unable to withstand five minutes of criticism from a constituent, called the police and ordered Ms. Romine removed and arrested. Despite this blatant violation of her rights, Ms. Romine did not resist arrest.
“It is the Florence City Council who should be on trial Monday for violating the rights of Ms. Romine. We are convinced the jury will uphold the right of citizens to criticize politicians,” said Sumners. “Censorship and illegal prosecution are the tools of despots, not those of a representative democracy.”
“If the Florence City Council cannot take the heat,” Sumners continued, “they should get out of the kitchen.”
The trial in City of Florence v. Romine is scheduled to begin at 8:30 am on Monday, Sept. 13 at the Lauderdale County Courthouse. Judge Michael Jones will preside over the jury trial. Ms. Romine is represented by Florence attorney Marshall Gardner and ACLU cooperating attorney Pamela Sumners.
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