We, the undersigned residents and alike, concerned members of the public, are calling attention to recent actions by the City of Hamilton, Alabama that reflect a troubling willingness to hinder constitutionally protected rights—specifically those guaranteed under the First Amendment.

Following increased public concern regarding local governance, the City of Hamilton has implemented new restrictions on public participation in city council meetings. Under these policies, citizens are required to request permission in advance, submit topics ahead of time, and wait to be scheduled to speak. In some cases, individuals are informed their concerns will not be heard publicly at all, but instead deferred, redirected, or reduced to written exchanges outside of open meetings.

These changes did not occur in isolation. They follow prior actions that restricted access to public records. Taken together, these measures represent a pattern: limiting access to information and then limiting the public forum itself.

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution exists to protect freedom of speech and freedom of the press—especially speech directed toward public officials and government conduct. It does not require citizens or members of the media to seek advance permission to speak, nor does it allow public officials to silence dissent by procedural barriers.

Public city council meetings are designated public forums. They are not privileges granted at the discretion of leadership. Their purpose is transparency, accountability, and the ability of citizens to openly question and address those who govern them.

Policies that suppress live public participation, pre-approve topics, delay speech, or remove discussion from public view undermine both the spirit and the function of these meetings.

We are calling on Hamilton Mayor Tami Lewis Williams and city leadership to immediately review and reverse policies that restrict public participation and to reaffirm their commitment to constitutional principles, open government, and the public’s right to speak.

What We Are Asking For:

•Restoration of meaningful public participation in Hamilton city council meetings
•An end to advance-permission and pre-approval requirements that restrict speech
•Transparency in public records access
•A public reaffirmation of First Amendment protections by city leadership

The public does not exist to serve government convenience. Government exists to serve the public.

Call to Action:

If you believe open meetings, free speech, and accountability matter in Hamilton, Alabama—add your name. Use your voice now; or sit still as your rights are stripped to advantage of those in power.