City of Memphis Councilman JB Smiley and Councilwoman Jerri Green Assault On Free Speech Over More For Memphis
Public Affairs Staff on December 1, 2024
MEMPHIS, TN —— Memphis City Council meetings are intended to be a beacon of democracy, a space where all voices can be heard, regardless of political stance. However, the November 26, 2024, meeting exposed a darker reality: dissenting citizens were met with hostility, intimidation, and suppression—largely at the hands of democrats Councilwoman Jerri Green and Councilman JB Smiley.
Green accused dissenters of making “threats” against council members without providing evidence, while JB Smiley sought to outright prevent the public from speaking by attempting to adjourn the meeting before public comments. It was only after Joe B. Kent, a well-known community advocate, intervened that citizens were finally allowed to speak. Even then, the hostility did not cease.
Public speaker and dissenter Senteria Johnson delivered a scathing critique of JB Smiley, describing him as “very mafia-like and confident in his crimes,” and went on to draw a stark comparison between the two local governing bodies, stating, “The Memphis City Council members are built different from the Shelby County Commissioners—they are very arrogant and confident in their crimes while the Shelby County Commissioners are more lax and careful with their words.”
Smiley’s infamous gavel slam reverberated throughout the chambers, a physical manifestation of the council’s disdain for dissenting voices. Once public comments began, dissenters felt they were interrupted, harassed, and mocked. Meanwhile, dissenters allege supporters of More for Memphis were given extended speaking time, allowed to exceed the two-minute limit, and treated with respect.
Constitutional Violations
- First Amendment – Free Speech and Right to Petition:
- Citizens, particularly dissenters from groups like the Daughters of Zion, were repeatedly interrupted and mocked while exercising their right to petition the government. JB Smiley’s attempts to cut off public comments entirely by falsely claiming no public comment cards existed reflect a gross disregard for the First Amendment.
- The right to petition the government includes raising grievances and questioning public policies. Dismissing or obstructing dissenting voices undermines this critical constitutional protection.
- First Amendment – Viewpoint Discrimination:
- Giving preferential treatment to More for Memphis supporters while harassing and silencing dissenters constitutes viewpoint discrimination. The government cannot favor one perspective over another in a public forum, as this violates the core principles of free speech.
- Fourteenth Amendment – Equal Protection:
- The preferential treatment given to More for Memphis supporters over protesters constitutes a clear violation of the principle of equal treatment under the law.
- Due Process Violations:
- Public meetings must follow fair and transparent processes. Cutting off dissenters, attempting to prematurely adjourn the meeting, and treating protesters with hostility violate the fundamental fairness that due process requires.
Injustice and Hypocrisy
Smiley’s actions set a dangerous precedent: dissenters, no matter how valid their concerns, will not be heard if their perspectives challenge the council’s agenda. This isn’t just a failure of leadership—it’s a betrayal of democracy.
Jerri Green’s unsubstantiated claims of “threats” and Smiley’s physical gavel slamming exemplify intimidation tactics aimed at suppressing public participation. Their behavior signals a deeply troubling trend in Memphis politics: preferential treatment for private interests like More for Memphis while shutting out those who dare to question the lack of transparency.
Joe B. Kent: A Voice for Accountability
Amidst this chaos, Joe B. Kent’s intervention served as a beacon of hope. Kent insisted on the public’s right to speak, forcing the council to allow comments despite Smiley’s attempt to cut the meeting short. Kent’s persistence highlights the importance of watchdogs who hold the government accountable, even when elected officials seem more interested in protecting their own interests.
A Call for Justice
The behavior displayed by Jerri Green and JB Smiley raises serious questions about their commitment to their oaths of office. Their treatment of dissenters violated First and Fourteenth Amendment protections, including free speech, the right to petition the government, equal protection, and due process. Favoring More for Memphis supporters while suppressing dissenting voices reflects a blatant disregard for constitutional principles.
Are these the leaders Memphis deserves? Citizens are calling for an investigation into potential constitutional violations, conflicts of interest, and ethical breaches by these council members. Complaints to the Department of Justice may soon follow.
Memphis deserves leaders who respect democratic principles, protect free speech, and prioritize the voices of their constituents. On November 26, 2024, Green and Smiley failed this test miserably. Will they face the consequences, or will this pattern of suppression and favoritism continue unchecked? Only time—and the persistence of Memphis’s citizens—will tell.
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