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 JACKSONVILLE, FLA---A Jacksonville woman has been banned from attending city council meetings until the end of March after she allegedly disrupted a council meeting, wearing an Aunt Jemima costume.
Community activist Jackie Brown was arrested for causing a disturbance at a lawful assembly and resisting a police officer after she criticized the city's small business incentive law during a meeting in November.
Brown is president of the Jacksonville Coalition of Black Contractors and she says that the city law doesn't provide enough opportunities for minority contractors, in essence treating them like slaves. Later during the public session, she was asked to leave and refused.
This week she was informed by letter from the council president, Kevin Hyde, banning her from council meetings until March 31. Hyde cited a rule that he says allows the council to remove disruptive citizens from meetings and prohibits slanderous and disruptive speech.
Brown has not publicly commented on the ban on advice of her attorney.
1-13-06
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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