Our readers have some thoughts on the Raleigh City Council’s recent vote to prevent residents from criticizing individual council members during public comment—and the brouhaha over David Cox and his supporters lashing at us for our reporting on that vote. 

“These elected officials sure are acting like big babies,” Kevin writes. “Hopefully they’ll change their mind before being brought to court and wasting taxpayer dollars.”

“As much as I love Raleigh, this is stupid,” adds Chris Howell. “If you can’t take direct criticism from the people you serve, GTF out of office, you don’t belong there.”

“Please remember come October that Nicole Stewart was absent from this meeting and should not be lumped in with this absolute bullshit council overall,” writes Jake Anthony. “She is pretty much the only one worth a damn at this point.”

“Commissioner Jessica Holmes proclaimed something similar during a Wake County Board of Commissioners meeting where a bunch of angry park lovers were about to unload on the board,” writes Shaun Pollenz. “It was unconstitutional then, and it is unconstitutional now with the city council. Political speech is afforded the highest protection according to well-established case law. This is an infringement of our First Amendment rights. Throw them all into the Boston Harbor.”

“How could Raleigh City Council members unanimously vote to invoke a code of conduct that was established during the time Jessie Helms, one of the most openly racist politicians in North Carolina state history, was on the city council?” asks Black Raleigh. “My opinion on this is, unfortunately, David Cox was the fall guy in this article by the INDY to deflect from other council members.”

Finally, a contrarian of sorts: “This article just made me want to volunteer for David Cox’s campaign,” writes Aaliyah Blaylock.

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