Fairhope Resident Paul Ripp Files Federal Lawsuit Against Council President Jack Burrell

FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Fairhope resident Francis Paul Ripp, a political activist and consumer advocate, has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that City Council President Jack Burrell denied him his right to free speech during the City Council meeting held Aug. 28, 2017.

The allegations in the Ripp lawsuit against Burrell have not been proven in court.

The Allegations

In the complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Ripp contends that Burrell violated rights protected by the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit seeks damages for what Ripp described as “humiliation” and “emotional pain.”

According to a press release announcing the suit, Burrell denied Ripp the chance to speak during a public participation period provided for by city ordinance and threatened to have him removed and arrested when he tried to address the council. The release states that city attorneys, council members and the city clerk did not intervene. The exchange was recorded on the city’s official video of the meeting.

“The official recorded video of the meeting speaks for itself,” Ripp said.

Background

This is the first time Ripp has sued over being refused permission to address the council. According to the release, the city had previously denied him the chance to speak at public meetings several times, which led the council to adopt a new set of rules for public participation. The lawsuit alleges Burrell did not follow those rules.

Ripp is a Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam.

Council Rejects Full-Time City Attorney

In a separate matter, the City Council, at a special meeting arranged by Burrell, rejected the mayor’s proposal to hire a full-time city attorney. The proposal projected the change would save the city more than $90,000 a year.