Cabarrus Co man escorted out of meeting for violating public participation policy
CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A Cabarrus County man claims his right to free speech has been violated after he was escorted out of a commissioners meeting. County officials claim he failed to follow a public participation policy that outlines what citizens can say during the public comment period.
James Campbell was one of several citizens who signed up to speak about what they say is misconduct within the Child Protective System in Cabarrus County.
During his time to speak Campbell mentioned the name of the several county employees with the Department of Human Services who he says failed his family. Commissioners interrupted Campbell and had four deputies escort him out the video shows.
Campbell and his wife claim the department wrongfully removed his children in August of 2023. He has been speaking out at meetings trying to get help since January.
“People are getting targeted by a system to remove them from their loving parents and then put them in a foster care system which statistics shows that’s not good for children,” Campbell said.
Campbell was one of several people who opposed the contract renewal of a private attorney who represents DHS in court, but Campbell was the only person removed from the meeting.
“I’m pretty sure because I was an African American man speaking up on the issue they decided to flex their muscle and take me out,” Campbell said.
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Commissioners say his removal was not racially motivated and pointed to a policy that limits what citizens can say in the public comment period.
In a statement, a spokesman for the county said “Cabarrus County invites resident input and wholeheartedly supports public comment in all areas, including board of commissioner meetings, provided the public participation policy is followed.”
The policy, which officials say was adopted in 2022 prohibits ad hominem or personal attacks in public comments. Commissioners displayed it on the screen after Campbell was kicked out.
Campbell says the policy limits free speech, and he will keep speaking until his family is reunited.
“Just because I was thrown out, you’re not going to silence my voice,” Campbell said.
Campbell plans to continue speaking at commissioner meetings. He is also asking the state officials to take a closer look at the inner workings of the child protective system in Cabarrus County.
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