Shawnee, Oklahoma, May 15, 2023 – The District Court of Pottawatomie County has granted the City of Shawnee’s request for a temporary and a permanent injunction related to the civil case filed against a Shawnee resident.

The City had requested and was granted a temporary restriction - ending on June 30, 2023 - to the defendant’s ability to physically attend any and all open meetings of the City of Shawnee or its Public Trusts, Committees, or Advisory Boards. The Court’s decision was based on the defendant’s intentional violations of the City’s Public Participation Ordinance. Furthermore, the City had requested and was also granted a permanent injunction to prevent future violations of the City of Shawnee’s Public Participation Ordinance, which was also confirmed to be constitutional in its time, place, and manner restrictions on speech, as appropriate for a limited public forum.

“We know some of our residents have closely watched this case unfold. The City has welcomed the Court’s determination that the resident’s first amendment rights were not infringed upon. The City welcomes the Court’s ratification of the City’s ordinance and its confirmation of constitutionality,” said Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer, City Manager. “The City of Shawnee is appreciative of the additional guidance provided by the Court on specific language in our Public Participation Ordinance, related to the mention of personnel, arbitration, and litigation, and City staff will work expeditiously to present an updated draft to the City Commission for approval at their June 2023 meeting.”

Those interested in the underlying filings may access documents through the OK State Courts Network, at https://www.oscn.net/dockets. The final Court Order will be added to the site in the near future.

If you have questions about the civil case or the Court’s ruling, please contact Andrea Weckmueller- Behringer, City Manager, City of Shawnee at (405) 878-1601 or Andrea.Weckmueller- Behringer@ShawneeOK.org.