Local self-proclaimed provocateur and media personality Alex Stein posted a video to his Instagram account claiming that the City of Dallas is trying to shut down his free speech with its recent consideration of changes to its so-called “open microphone speaker” policy.
As reported previously by The Dallas Express, city leaders have been considering whether to make changes to the existing city rules and regulations that allow for members of the public to address the city council before or after every regular meeting on any topic they desire.
Stein, who has gained notoriety and fame from speaking before local governments on topics ranging from COVID-19 to LGBT issues, believes these changes are targeted at him directly.
In an email correspondence with The Dallas Express, Stein said this “is 100% because of what I did and the attention I’m bringing to the council.”
Stein referred to the fact his name was invoked numerous times during the Dallas city council’s discussions on potential changes to the current rules.
“I’m getting so big they fear me even more,” he suggested.
In his Instagram video, Stein featured an excerpt from comments made by Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn King Arnold where she said, “That speaker this morning was just totally disruptive, disrespectful to me, it was poor taste … there were a lot of things that were offensive. I go along the lines of if it’s offensive, it’s offensive.”
Stein had addressed the council earlier in the day during an open mic session about his removal from a previous meeting for addressing council members by their first names during his speaking time.
During his remarks, fart noises, assumed to be from a device located on Stein’s person, were audible over the microphone the entire time.
During the discussion on potential changes to the speaking rules, Council Member Paul Ridley asked the city’s attorneys if Stein’s “performances” would be considered “boisterous.”
Ridley’s question stems from the city’s current rules that state, “Making personal, impertinent, profane, or slanderous remarks or becoming boisterous while addressing the city council will result in removal from the room.”
“I think it would certainly be considered boisterous, but would that then rise to a level of causing an actual disruption of the meeting? I suspect there are some instances in which it has and some where it has not,” the city attorney replied.
On the subject of being reprimanded for using council members’ first names, Stein said, “It’s an absolutely insane […] I mean what if you’re trying to address a problem in your district and if you want to talk to your council member, but you can’t even say their name.”
“It just shows with these people think they’re better than us and that even using their name in a public meeting is considered disrespect, so these politicians are absolutely egomaniacs from the top down.”
Stein’s video also features him shouting at the city council as he’s being escorted out by officers, claiming he is going to sue them if they infringe on his or other residents’ free speech through changes to the rules.
“You guys are cowards. You guys are trying to limit free speech! But luckily, the Constitution protects me,” Stein yelled. “I will see you guys in court! Tell the city attorneys, I’ll see you guys in court.”
The Dallas Express requested comment from Mayor Eric Johnson on the proposed changes to the open microphone speaker policy, including whether these changes are in response to any specific individual or incident.
As of the writing of this article, Johnson and his office have not responded.
Texas law requires cities to give speakers an opportunity to be heard on an agenda item, but courts have allowed cities to enforce topic limitations during discussions on agenda items, according to the Dallas Observer.
Not every council member wants to see changes to the open mic policy.
Council Member Cara Mendelsohn told the Dallas Observer that the open mic policy is “an important way for the public to be able to participate in local government.”
“We do see quite a bit of nonsense and some very crazy things,” Mendelsohn said. “But […] we’ve helped residents who’ve come here looking for help – items that were not on the agenda. So, I view the public comment period as essential to accessible government, wouldn’t want to decrease the frequency or put limits on it.”
Stein declared that if the city government plans to limit free speech, he and others will have no choice but to defend their rights.
“What also they don’t realize is … [I’m] going to be running for mayor in 2023. Whether I win or lose, I’m going to go in there and shake that race up like a Coca-Cola can on a roller coaster,” Stein declared.
The City Council may vote on the policy changes for public speakers by the end of the year.
