A city council member in Alabama kicked all residents out of a meeting in an “authoritarian” manner after residents asked questions about the recent arrival of Haitian immigrants in the community, one of the speakers during public comment told Fox News Digital.
Sylacauga City Council President Tiffany Nix adjourned the meeting after several attendees pressed the council on the issue of illegal immigration, including allegations that busloads of Haitians were brought in to supposedly work but many were wandering aimlessly through the streets.
The last speaker, David Phillips, did not even get a chance to speak as Nix interrupted him.
He said in an interview with Fox News Digital, “It wasn't as much authoritarian as it was totalitarian”, also saying he believes it is “un-American”.
He said, “The whole point is to serve the community. So when the community comes, you answer their questions (because) you work for them. That's the American way. And this is an all-American city. We're proud of that.”
President Nix defended the presence of migrants in the city, saying they should be welcomed as contributors to society. He also claimed the council did not know how they arrived, while residents claimed some came by bus.
“We have no information to give you,” he told concerned citizens. “We have no reason to think or investigate why they are here.”
“I want to welcome anybody who wants to come,” Nix said. “That's how I feel about it. If people aren't breaking the law, they're not causing any problems, then I don't think … I don't think there's a problem with it.”
One resident challenged that the migrants were not working, although they had come here on that basis.
“They just sit outside. They're not working,” she said. “They're supposedly here to work.
“What's wrong with that?” Nix replied. “I don't see what's wrong with that.”
The resident responded, “Being here tonight, and watching the city council meeting, I can understand why nothing gets done here.”
Phillips then added: “The council’s attitude throughout this whole process has been totally unacceptable.”
“You're treating them like legitimate U.S. citizens, which they're not,” Phillips added.
Nix interrupted and asked that the meeting be adjourned.
Nix told residents, “I'm going to ask you all to please leave because this meeting is over.” She then made a motion to adjourn the meeting, which the other board members supported.
Phillips told Fox News Digital he was “appalled” by the council's conduct.
“I was a little shocked. I've seen some crazy things at City Council meetings before, but this was pretty egregious, even for them,” he said. “In this country, we're set up in a way that we (have) … basic fundamental free speech … that's the whole purpose of public comment. That's what they include in the meeting. That's why there's a podium with a microphone so people can ask questions. And he just blew it.”
The sounds of residents groaning and complaining could be heard in the background.
“It's nice to know they don't want to hear the truth,” one resident said.
President Nix responded, “I don't know what you want us to do.”
“Stopping public comment in the middle of a meeting is a violation of public law,” another resident said.
Fox News Digital reached out to Nix for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
