The Huntsville City Council approved an ordinance last Thursday tightening restrictions on video and photography inside City Hall and other public buildings.
Inspired by the growing popularity of self-proclaimed First Amendment auditors, City Attorney Trey Riley said the ordinance was intended to enhance current security and privacy measures.
“The so-called First Amendment auditors who sweep into a building, overwhelm your security staff, and the next thing you know, they are all over the building sticking cameras in people’s faces, and as a general rule, trying to incite anger or misconduct on the part of employees,” Riley said during the meeting. “It’s quite a disquieting experience. I’ve personally gotten to experience it a couple of times myself. It’s very disruptive to city business. It’s invasive of the privacy of our employees, and it destroys our ability while they’re there to service the public as they come.”
Riley said the ordinance would give security officers the tools to address this issue and that signs would be added to specific areas notifying the public of the new rules.
District 3 City Councilwoman Jennie Robinson said she watched the First Amendment auditor video Riley referenced and commended the employees being filmed for not reacting negatively.
“The First Amendment auditors tried their best, their level best, to provoke reactions, and they didn’t get it,” she said. “Everyone really did a fine job of responding appropriately, firmly, but politely.”
Riley said the municipal court would set the punishment for violating the ordinance. Last August, First Amendment auditor Lana Patrick was sentenced to 180 days in jail plus 24 months' probation in Marshall County after being found guilty of disorderly conduct and disrupting government operations while trespassing inside the County Courthouse. Patrick also posted video attempts to audit buildings in Huntsville.
At the request of other council members, Riley clarified that citizens would still have access to government officials and all appropriate offices.
“The idea here is not to in any way restrict people having access to City Hall and being able to conduct business. That’s absolutely not the intent, and constitutional considerations and concerns were at the forefront of our work as we drafted this particular ordinance,” Riley said.
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