Plattsburgh Common Council: Unconstitutional Decorum Requirement and Censorship of 'Personal Remarks'

The Plattsburgh Common Council requires speakers to “observe the commonly accepted rules of courtesy, decorum, dignity, and good taste.” Last year, the council shut down a speaker who criticized someone being considered for chief of police, saying “personal remarks” or referring to an employee by name are not allowed.

On May 6, 2026, FIRE wrote to the council to explain the constitutional deficiencies of both its decorum requirement and its censorship of a speaker.