A self-proclaimed activist in Newton says he has been taken into custody again after another tense exchange during a city council meeting.Earlier this month, Noah Petersen was arrested while he was speaking at a city council meeting. During his three minutes to speak, Petersen criticized the police department. Petersen criticized the city and the police department again, leading to a tense exchange.”The chief of police and mayor of this town are the two top fascists and they need to go,” Petersen said.The mayor quickly tried to stop him.”Your comments are ceased. Your comments are over,” he said.Peterson questioned why.”You are not going to defame the chief of police of this community. Our rules clearly state that you are not to state derogatory remarks about any individual including an employee of the city of Newton,” the Mayor said.The mayor then abruptly suspended the city council meeting, saying the activist cannot make derogatory comments against city employees. Petersen says that won’t stop him from speaking out.”My whole life, I’ve been told, ‘Get involved. Be the change you want to see in the world and get involved in local politics.’ So this is precisely what I’m wanting to do,” Peterson said. Petersen says his goal is to remove the police chief and the mayor from their positions. He is also advocating to defund the police and fund things that he calls “lifesaving” measures. Furthermore, Petersen says he wants to exercise his First Amendment rights.Petersen says he was taken to the police department but released. He says he plans to file a lawsuit for this and the previous incident we reported on earlier this month when he got arrested.We emailed the city administrator for a response to last night’s incident, but haven’t heard back.Previous coverage: Man arrested while speaking at Newton city council
A self-proclaimed activist in Newton says he has been taken into custody again after another tense exchange during a city council meeting.
Earlier this month, Noah Petersen was arrested while he was speaking at a city council meeting. During his three minutes to speak, Petersen criticized the police department.
Petersen criticized the city and the police department again, leading to a tense exchange.
“The chief of police and mayor of this town are the two top fascists and they need to go,” Petersen said.
The mayor quickly tried to stop him.
“Your comments are ceased. Your comments are over,” he said.
Peterson questioned why.
“You are not going to defame the chief of police of this community. Our rules clearly state that you are not to state derogatory remarks about any individual including an employee of the city of Newton,” the Mayor said.
The mayor then abruptly suspended the city council meeting, saying the activist cannot make derogatory comments against city employees.
Petersen says that won’t stop him from speaking out.
“My whole life, I’ve been told, ‘Get involved. Be the change you want to see in the world and get involved in local politics.’ So this is precisely what I’m wanting to do,” Peterson said.
Petersen says his goal is to remove the police chief and the mayor from their positions. He is also advocating to defund the police and fund things that he calls “lifesaving” measures. Furthermore, Petersen says he wants to exercise his First Amendment rights.
Petersen says he was taken to the police department but released. He says he plans to file a lawsuit for this and the previous incident we reported on earlier this month when he got arrested.
We emailed the city administrator for a response to last night’s incident, but haven’t heard back.
Previous coverage: Man arrested while speaking at Newton city council
