A jury has sided with St. John the Baptist Parish President Jaclyn Hotard and Parish Council President Michael Wright in a lawsuit brought by environmental activist Joy Banner. The verdict confirms that the officials did not violate Banner’s First Amendment rights or Louisiana’s Open Meetings Law.
Jury Finds No Free Speech Violation
After more than three hours of deliberation, the nine-member jury determined that Banner’s right to free speech was not unlawfully restricted. The case stemmed from a tense parish council meeting in November 2023, where Banner tried to comment on the hiring of an attorney for Hotard in an ethics probe related to the Greenfield grain terminal project.
Juror Cam Owens noted that a video recording of the meeting played a crucial role in the decision. While he acknowledged that Banner was interrupted, he believed she ultimately conveyed her message. “At the end of the day, they did try to stop her, but she did actually say what she had to say,” Owens told reporters.
The Heated Council Meeting That Sparked the Case
The dispute began when Banner took the podium to address the council’s decision on legal representation for Hotard. Midway through her remarks, Hotard instructed Wright to halt her comments. Wright then cited a legal statute suggesting Banner could face penalties for continuing to speak.
Despite multiple interruptions, Banner attempted to continue before eventually stepping away from the podium. This led her to file the lawsuit, alleging a violation of her constitutional rights and open meeting rules.
Environmental Concerns at the Center of the Debate
Banner and her sister Jo, founders of The Descendants Project, have been vocal opponents of the now-canceled Greenfield grain terminal project. Their organization fights for Black communities in Louisiana’s River Parishes, arguing that the terminal would have worsened environmental conditions in Wallace, a historically significant Black community.
The grain terminal proposal sparked backlash over concerns about air pollution and industrial expansion in a region already struggling with environmental issues. Despite the project’s cancellation, tensions between activists and local officials have remained high.
Legal Perspectives and Community Reactions
Banner’s attorney, William Most, expressed disappointment with the verdict but maintained that the case highlighted issues of public access and government accountability. “This was about ensuring that citizens have the right to speak at public meetings without fear of retaliation,” he said.
Outside the courthouse, the Banner sisters reiterated their commitment to advocacy, emphasizing that the fight for environmental justice and free speech continues. “This is not just about one meeting or one lawsuit. It’s about protecting our communities and making sure our voices are heard,” Jo Banner stated.
Meanwhile, parish officials have remained largely quiet on the ruling, with neither Hotard nor Wright present for the verdict’s reading. Their attorneys, however, stressed that the jury’s decision confirmed the officials acted within legal boundaries.
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