The ACLU of Missouri filed a federal lawsuit against the Rolla Public Library on Tuesday.
According to the ACLU, Randy Johnson attempted to reserve a room at the Rolla Public Library in January. He was planning to teach volunteers how to collect signatures in support of a ballot proposition to legalize medical marijuana in the state.
The lawsuit states that when the library’s director found out the purpose of the meeting, Johnson was denied use of a room.
Jeffrey Mittman, the executive director of the ACLU of Missouri, said the library violated Johnson’s constitutional rights of free speech and due process.
"Based on this improper decision by the library, we are suing to ensure that going forward - in the future - that individuals who want access to this limited public forum, that is the library, knows that the government actor - the librarian - will not decide whether or not they can participate based on their viewpoints," Mittman said.
The Rolla Public Library has not responded to requests for comment at this time.
