Opponents in an Alabama lawsuit over Confederate monument protests reach a tentative settlement

Source: Associated Press

Opponents in an Alabama lawsuit over Confederate monument protests reach a tentative settlement

Updated 8:15 PM EDT, September 18, 2023

FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) — The city of Florence has reached a tentative agreement to settle a free speech lawsuit brought by an organization that staged dozens of protests against a Confederate monument in the north Alabama city, according to a Monday court filing.

The lawsuit, filed in April by Project Say Something and its founder, Camille Bennett, alleges the city violated their right to free speech by using an unconstitutionally vague parade permit process and noise ordinances to stymie protests against the “Eternal Vigil” monument.

A Monday court filing indicated the two sides have agreed to proposed new noise and parade ordinances for the city. The two sides tentatively agreed to dismiss the lawsuit if the Florence City Council adopts the changes.

“We are really grateful to be a catalyst for change for our community. Before we started protesting, the noise ordinances were vague and there was really no legal framework,” Bennett said.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/florence-alabama-eternal-vigil-monument-d980061a734b8c278fa30e638ec9d977