Partner Ed Sweeney delivered a victory for this client, the Reverend Evelyn Morrison, a Reading pastor and community activist who attends and speaks at multiple public meetings of governmental boards. Mr. Sweeney won this case after multiple depositions at the Summary Judgment stage, after intensive briefing and oral argument before the Honorable James Gavin of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas.

Rev. Morrison exercised her First Amendment right when she spoke out to the Reading City Council about what she perceived needed investigation at the Reading Parking Authority. A former Director of the Reading Parking Authority sued Rev. Morris for defamation. In a victory for those concerned about protecting citizens’ right to petition the government for redress of grievances, Judge Gavin issued an opinion reaffirming citizens’ right to speak freely on matters of public concern.

Rev. Morrison is a fixture in the Reading area as a “citizen participant.” Rev. Morrison has, for decades, monitored from the audience the activities of multiple and varied public meetings, such as Reading City Council and Reading-area Authorities, Boards and Commissions (“ABCs”). 

Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan was pleased to represent this dedicated volunteer and Reading institution pro bono.  The two partners of the firm are firm believers in the First Amendment.  Mr. Sweeney served as an elected public official on a SEPA School Board and has been active in many ABCs himself.  He attests to the benefits of public work for public input.  Both Mr. Sweeney and Ms. Ryan strongly believe in the value of citizens attending public meetings and in their right to communicate freely with public officials.  They wish Rev. Morrison many more years of active participation in public meetings. Judge Gavin issued an opinion reaffirming citizens’ rights to speak freely on matters of public concern.