Greensboro City Council voted in favor of a new procedure for public comment aimed at limiting disruptions during its meetings.
On Tuesday, the Council voted 7-1 for a rule that would temporarily bar an individual from in-person meetings if they are disruptive following a warning. Councilman Zack Matheny was absent and Councilwoman Sharon Hightower voted against the measure.
Several speakers with the Working Class & Houseless Organizing Alliance, or WHOA, criticized the new rule. The organization advocates for working-class people in Greensboro.
Del Stone, a WHOA member, said the council was trying to censor people.
"We come because there are important issues you refuse to address," Stone said. "We speak because there is people's business you actively neglect. And we disrupt because the business as usual that abides the poverty and violence we have in this city should be disrupted."
Under the new rule, an individual who is removed would not be allowed to attend meetings in person for the next three months. They will still be allowed to participate in meetings by phone, email, or Zoom.