First Amendment Case Against Michigan City Officials Can Proceed

An Inkster, Mich., man who publicly satirized the city attorney and called him a “chump” can proceed with his First Amendment suit against the attorney and a city councilman over retaliation claims.

Charles Blackwell plausibly alleged that the two officials violated his clearly established constitutional rights, said Judge Rachel S. Bloomekatz of the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

The appeals court said Wednesday that the lower court properly denied dismissal of Blackwell’s lawsuit against Inkster City Attorney David Jones and City Councilman Steven Chisholm. The Sixth Circuit also dismissed the City of Inkster’s appeal over Blackwell’s municipal ...