PALM BAY, Fla. – A Palm Bay councilman censured over controversial social media posts against Indian immigrants is asking a federal judge to halt his punishment from the city.
In a hearing on Wednesday, oral arguments will be heard on a motion from Chandler Langevin for a preliminary injunction.
Anthony Sabatini, who represents Langevin, filed a federal lawsuit in October against the city of Palm Bay.
[VIDEO: Palm Bay councilman threatens legal action against possible Palm Bay censure]
Sabatini has argued that the action the city took against Langevin was a clear First Amendment violation.
“They cannot actually remove his ability to speak freely during a portion of the meeting he’s entitled to as an elected official,” Sabatini said.
Langevin came under fire for recent posts on the social media site X.com, saying, “There’s not a single Indian that cares about the United States. They are here to exploit us financially and enrich India and Indians. America for Americans.”
Langevin later apologized for the “tone” and “absolutism” of his statement but continued his call for immigration reform.
At a meeting on October 16, the Palm Bay Council voted 3-2 to censure Langevin, but Sabatini said the city went too far with additional discipline attached to the measure.
[VIDEO: Palm Bay Council votes to censure Councilman Chandler Langevin]
The approved ordinance called to prevent Langevin from adding items to meeting agendas, doesn’t allow him to provide council reports and barred him from boards and committees.
“It’s a censure motion that comes accompanied by serious punishments that violate the First Amendment,” Sabatini said. “What you can’t do is legally remove the ability of a commissioner to speak during a portion of a meeting, purely because you don’t like his viewpoint.”
Wednesday’s hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at the George C. Young U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in Orlando.