The City of Monroe has officially pulled the plug on a controversial policy that forced North Carolina residents to broadcast their home addresses before speaking at public meetings. This reversal comes after a legal standoff led by resident Lisa Metzger and the Liberty Justice Center, who argued the requirement was effectively “doxxing” critics and silencing public debate.
The dispute began in 2025 when city officials introduced new decorum rules. Under these guidelines, anyone wishing to address the City Council had to state their full primary residence address on a livestreamed broadcast.
For Metzger and others, the consequences were immediate; some speakers reported harassment at their homes, while others simply stopped showing up to avoid putting their families at risk.
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Under the terms of a newly reached settlement, Monroe has agreed to ditch the address requirement entirely. Furthermore, the city is repealing several vague “decorum” rules that previously banned speech deemed “insulting,” “rude,” or “personal” toward local officials.
While the city government isn’t admitting any legal wrongdoing, the sweeping changes represent a total overhaul of how public comments are handled.
“This settlement is a win for everyone. Ms. Metzger’s and all citizens’ First Amendment rights are vindicated and the City demonstrated that it is responsive to its constituents and willing correct its mistakes,” said Ryan Morrison, Senior Counsel at the Liberty Justice Center.
“I’m grateful to the Liberty Justice Center for helping bring a resolution and victory, not just for myself, but for all people who wish to speak at Monroe City Council meetings,” said Lisa Metzger. “The fact that people who wish to address the City Council will no longer have to give their home addresses before speaking, along with the repealing of vague decorum rules, is a win for free speech and the First Amendment.”
Once the case is formally dismissed, the new, less restrictive rules will take effect immediately, ensuring that the only thing citizens have to bring to the podium is their opinion.
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