The City of Allegan responded to a federal lawsuit filed by state Rep. David Agema, who alleges police shut down a controversial speaker, by saying the legal action was based on “conjecture” and “fallacies.”
Agema, R-Grandville, and others, filed a lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Courtin Grand Rapids alleging that police prevented Kamal Saleem – who characterizes himself as a former Muslim terrorist turned Christian – from speaking in January at Allegan High School.
The lawsuit said that Allegan Police Chief Rick Hoyer ordered the event shut down after he learned that Muslim extremists put a $25 million bounty on Saleem.
Attorney Scott Smith, representing Allegan, said in a statement that the city has not been served with the lawsuit, but he reviewed it this morning. It names the city, police chief, police officers, school officials and two advocacy groups as defendants.
The Thomas More Law Center is representing Agema and other plaintitffs.
“This lawsuit is disappointing in many ways,” Smith wrote. “It is based on conjecture, logical fallacies, and, more disappointingly, factual inaccuracies. The plaintiffs did not even spell one of the defendants’ names correctly. It is disappointing that the lawsuit wrongly imputes motives to the police officers.”
He said he was disappointed that the lawsuit was filed. He said the city cooperated with Thomas More as it sought information about the Jan. 26 event.
“The City quickly provided the requested information and offered to address any other questions or concerns the Thomas More Law Center or its client might have. But, without any further inquiries or any attempts to address the plaintiffs’ concerns, a lawsuit was filed. If, as seems to be alleged by the complaint, its sole purpose is to ensure the defendants respect First Amendment rights, a lawsuit was unnecessary.”
Smith added: “The City of Allegan and its police force are committing to upholding the constitutions and laws of our state and nation. Members of the force are also committed to serving and protecting the people of the City. As the real facts are revealed, they will demonstrate that actions taken on Thursday, January 26 were taken only in furtherance of those efforts.”