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The Richmond City Council repeatedly interrupted or cut off a speaker during her public comments for criticizing local officials. Councilmember Reva Trammell accused resident Sarah Ramsey of “attacking” public officials on several occasions, after Ramsey criticized the mayor for hiring a convicted embezzler, faulted law enforcement for failing to prosecute embezzlement, and accused the Council President of making a false statement. 

On October 31, 2025, FIREwrote the Council explaining that its rule banning “language of a personal nature” concerning public officials, and/or language which “insults” or “demeans” them, violates the First Amendment.