City Government

Judge rules Massie suit against Surprise can proceed

Mom was arrested in 2024 in dispute over free speech

Surprise community activist Rebekah Massie speaks to the City Council during Call to the Public at the Aug. 20 before she was arrested for criminal trespassing.

Courtesy Surprise TV

Surprise community activist Rebekah Massie displays a bruise she said she received when detained by police during the Aug. 20 City Council meeting.

Courtesy Rebekah Massie

Surprise police officer Steve Shernicoff detains community activist Rebekah Massie during the Aug. 20 City Council meeting.

Courtesy Surprise TV

Rebekah Massie won the latest battle in her First Amendment lawsuit against the city of Surprise, its former mayor and a police officer.

A federal court this week greenlit the lawsuit to move forward, meaning Massie’s First and Fourth Amendment lawsuit and a claim under Arizona’s Open Meeting Law will proceed to the discovery phase.

Attorneys for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, said they are pleased with the U.S. District Court decision.

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