Censorship

11/25/24 letter to city from Donna Blaine:

The Silent Reign Does Mayor Steward Have the Longest Public Comment Ban in America? 284 Days and Counting… Mayor Mary Lou Steward has earned an unparalleled and shameful distinction: she now presides over what we believe to be the longest-running public comment ban in American history. At 284 days and counting, her reign of silence has solidified Blaine’s place as quite possibly the worst free speech town in the entire United States. Out of the thousands of cities across America, where citizens routinely exercise their right to be heard, Blaine stands out for all the wrong reasons. With a population of just six thousand, this small town has somehow managed to achieve infamy on a national scale. We could not find another example where the voices of the people have been silenced longer. And, it was not even close. In a nation of over 330 million people, where the First Amendment guarantees the right to free speech and public accountability, the residents of Blaine live in what we believe is the most stifled free speech environment in America. Across all 19,000 incorporated cities, towns, and villages, Blaine has earned the distinction no community would want: it is the absolute worst at upholding the basic democratic principles that define this country. Interestingly, when campaigning for office in 2022, Steward described the role of mayor as "mostly ceremonial" with “no special power nor influence.” Yet over the past 284 days, she has wielded complete control over the voices of Blaine’s citizens. This is not the behavior of someone filling a ceremonial role - it seems to be the behavior of someone clinging to unchecked power. When Mayor Steward initially announced the ban, she attempted to justify it by claiming she was, "following in the footsteps of Bellingham and Whatcom City Councils." This statement, however, did not hold up to scrutiny. Neither Bellingham nor Whatcom had implemented a ban on public comments when the mayor made that claim. In fact, since that time, we have found no evidence of any city in the region—or the entire country—silencing its citizens in such an extreme and prolonged manner. Steward quietly removed this claim from subsequent communications. Now, that newsletter seems to have vanished from the city’s news website altogether - but the damage to the public’s trust remains. Blaine’s own Rules of Procedure state, in the very first paragraph, that the purpose of council meetings is “to give every person an opportunity to be heard.” To be heard? The irony is staggering. How can citizens be heard when the mayor has silenced all public comments for nearly 300 days? This statement has been rendered meaningless by the very leadership tasked with upholding it. The blatant hypocrisy of claiming to value citizen voices while banning them entirely is an insult to the principles of transparency and democracy. She stated that public comments would return when it is “safe and effective.” Citizens need to ask who determines when words are safe to be spoken again in Blaine? And safe for whom? The mayor’s feelings? She also stated, “oral public comment often leads to disruptions and inefficiencies in our Council meetings.” Let’s remind the mayor, council meetings are not intended to be efficient. It is the one opportunity that citizens get to have their VOICES heard. Adding fifteen minutes of citizens voices twice a month might be inefficient to the mayor, but I would argue that if this is inefficient, then it is a small price to pay for the health of a functioning democracy. Democracy thrives on the engagement of its citizens, not the convenience of its officials. The right to speak, even if inconvenient or uncomfortable, is fundamental. Public comments are not a disruption—they are a vital part of the democratic process, holding leaders accountable and ensuring diverse perspectives are heard. To dismiss them as inefficient is to misunderstand their purpose entirely. Blaine’s citizens deserve better than silence; they deserve the right to participate, question, and contribute to the decisions that shape their lives. The mayor’s decision is not just unprecedented; it is alarming. It paints a picture of a leader who has chosen to place personal power above the principles of democracy and the trust of the people she was elected to serve. This town does not belong to the mayor; it belongs to the people. Her role is not to rule over us but to serve us. No leader should fear the voices of their constituents. Mary Lou Steward has already made history—but for all the wrong reasons. The people will remember Mary Lou as a mayor who silenced her community to have control. If our research is correct, her name may go down in all American history as the mayor who presided over the longest ban on citizens’ voices ever. And Blaine may forever be associated with the dubious honor of being the worst free speech town in America. Is this the reputation you want for your city—a community of silence? The mayor took an oath to support and defend the Constitution, as did the entire city council. Are you upholding that oath? What will you do to change this? Do the right thing. Act now.