Taylor, Michigan: City council refuses to read citizen comment it deems “defamatory”

On May 4, 2025, Charles Blackwell, who is disabled, emailed the Taylor City Council requesting that his written public comment be read aloud during the May 6 council meeting pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Blackwell’s comment criticized a contract awarded by the council and called the mayor “corrupt.” The council refused to read the comment because it alleged the comment was “defamatory.” 

On February 3, FIRE wrote the council explaining that whether speech is defamatory is a legal determination reserved for the courts, not a judgment for local legislative bodies to make to shut down disfavored speech. FIRE called on the council to confirm it would no longer censor public comments based on unilateral determinations that they are defamatory.