Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in New Mexico

repercussions of signing petition

I signed a petition to be presented to our city council for the removal of our city manager and police chief. The city manager called me at home and told me a ''story'' of a policeman getting fired for recommending a stop sign and speed bumps be put on our street. The tone of voice and the way he was telling the story, really scared me. At the end of the ''story'', he asked me what I thought. I replied that it was a shame they fired him, because we really needed a stop sign and speed bump. He then asked if that is why I signed the petion. That he and the police chief were trying to do what is best for the city. As the conversation progressed, I felt more and more intimidated. When the conversation was over, I was very fearful of retaliation from him or the police department. Is there any law about being contacted for signing a petition?


Asked on 7/01/03, 9:17 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Regina Mullen Legal Data Services, PLC

Re: repercussions of signing petition

You have a first amendment right to sign petitions and not suffer reprisals from government officials.

Take this issue up openly. I would file a complaint and publish a letter to the editor in the newspaper. The only reason the official called you was to intimidate you, not to really get your point of view. It was highly inappropriate, and your best defense is to take it public, matter of factly and without overstating what happened.

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Answered on 7/02/03, 9:36 am


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