Otero County resident awarded $45,000 after accusing county commission of silencing him
Otero County resident Matthew Crecelius is set to receive a $45,000 settlement from the county over allegations he was unfairly silenced and physically removed from county commission meetings.
Crecelius said he was forcibly removed from meetings at least three times by Otero police and was silenced by former County Commissioner Couy Griffin for voicing differences in opinion, including his disagreements with the commission's refusal to certify the 2020 election results and its efforts to implement book bans in county libraries.
"I had a different opinion than the predominant conservative view — namely that the election wasn’t stolen. I was treated like someone who committed a crime,” Crecelius said.
Crecelius was represented in the settlement negotiation by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU), which argued that the county had violated his First Amendment right to free speech.
"Not only was Crecelius physically removed from meetings by police officers at Griffin’s request when he aired his concerns but also for simply raising his hand to speak," according to a statement released by the ACLU. "Those who agreed with Griffin were allowed to remain in the meetings and allowed to share their views."
Griffin was later removed and barred from his seat as commissioner when it was found he was involved in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot.
More: New Mexico judge bars official who participated in Jan. 6 riot from ever holding office
Crecelius said he hopes the settlement shows Otero County residents that they can voice their concerns and differing opinions without a sense of fear at any commission meetings.
Alexandra Freedman Smith, a cooperating attorney with ACLU also representing Crecelius, said criticism toward the government is what makes the U.S. a free country.
"This settlement is important because it sends a message to all local government that they cannot silence people just because they disagree with people's views," Smith said. "People should speak freely in community meetings without fearing retaliation. Politicians can't abuse their power to silence views they don't like."
Juan Corral can be reached at JCorral@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter at @Juan36Corr.
This article originally appeared on Alamogordo Daily News: Otero County resident wins settlement against county
