Citizens Protest Pueblo City Council
Televised Public Comments Shut Down Before Election
We want to thank all of the people who attended the Pueblo Freedom Rally at City Hall to protest the City Council's decision to eliminate the televised public comments time at the regular city council meetings. This matter goes well beyond a few of the regulars who attend these meetings. We have heard from a wide variety of community members, from all walks of life. The citizens of Pueblo are upset by council's actions and they want back what's been taken from them!
This man's sign says it all!"We the people have a right to be heard! The People of Pueblo have a right to hear the comments we make. " - He gets it! Now if only Pueblo City Council would.
Many supporters of free speech attended our rally with numerous creative signs. A variety of protest signs were present. "Ray Ray - Give us back our say!" "Vera Vera - Can You Hear Us?" "Queen Judy, this is our meeting, you work for us." There was even a man on bull horn who was inviting city council to join "our new public comments time" being held in the parking lot.
In the past week, we've met people from all over Pueblo who are upset about this sudden rule change. We've heard from many individuals, neighborhood associations, groups that deal with historic preservation, disabled people, and veterans. One protester in a wheel chair told us last night that they use this time to raise awareness about buildings that were not accessible by wheel chair. Another individual told us there are lots of groups that agree with us but they are concerned that they could lose their city funding if they speak out against council's decision.
Pueblo City Council should realize that we will not go away and we will not be silenced! We prefer to work with them to resolve this matter to roll back this rule change. However, we are prepared to begin collecting signatures to put this matter to the voters of Pueblo! - by Chris Nicoll - Pueblo Citizens for Open Government
