LPL Board of Control Special Meeting
14 July 2025
On the Agenda:
- Mejia et al. v. Lafayette Consolidated Government et al. Civil Action No. 6:23-CV-00307 United States District Court Western District of Louisiana
AGENDA
SPEAKER FORM
meeting audio
Meeting Video (Pt. 1) (Pt. 2)
Meeting Minutes
Post-Meeting Analysis
Nothing but a big sigh of relief today, as the board finally voted last night to approve the terms of our settlement. One interesting note was a statement read for former board member Stephanie Armbruster encouraging the board to vote no. Her reasoning covered the usual accusations of rowdy behavior and ad hominem attacks, but she did bring up one interesting point: if the board as a part of LCG, is forced to adopt new policies and procedures, will the city and parish councils be required to do the same based on the fact that the wording for the board rules was based off the councils’? I’m very curious what the councils will make of that, but protecting the First Amendment rights across Lafayette Parish instead of only at library board meetings would be truly amazing.
As the specific terms are confidential until all parties sign, I can’t give specifics of what it entails. However, I can offer you our press release, and the promise of a full update once the terms are made public:
Pre-Meeting Analysis
As one of the litigants in this case, I can’t say much about this meeting other than I have high hopes the board will finally agree that citizens have a right to speak publicly in criticism of our government. I will, of course, report back with the meeting’s outcome as soon as possible.
As a side note, even though part of this meeting will probably take place in Executive Session, the public is encouraged to not only attend, but comment as well. The board cannot vote in Executive Session; they may discuss the case, but then must come out of ES and take public comment before voting. Make your voice heard!
July’s Censorship News
- Lafayette Public Library board votes to settle federal free speech lawsuit (The Acadiana Advocate)
- Settlement in free speech lawsuit discussed at Library Board of Control meeting (KATC)
- LCG settles library board First Amendment lawsuit (The Current)
- Lafayette Public Library Board settles free speech lawsuit filed over 2023 meeting (The Daily Advertiser via Yahoo News)
- Group settles federal lawsuit against Lafayette Library Board of Control member Robert Judge (News 15)
- Settlement agreement filed in free speech lawsuit (KATC)
- Lafayette library settles First Amendment lawsuit. Here’s what the new guidelines entail. (The Acadiana Advocate)
- Report from American Libraries (American Libraries Magazine)
- What’s next for Lafayette’s proposed Northeast Regional Library? (The Acadiana Advocate)