Paladino sues City Council to prevent penalties for anti-Muslim tweets, claims political retaliation | amNewYork

"The City Council Ethics Committee charged Paladino with disorderly behavior March 2 for Islamophobic tweets she posted on her X account that encouraged the expulsion of Muslims from Western nations and described a photo of Mayor Zohran Mamdani praying with Muslim sanitation workers as part of Islamic conquest that was sending a message that we are being replaced."

"Paladino argues that since the four posts cited in the committee's complaint are from her personal account on X and not her official City Council account, they fall under protected First Amendment speech."

"With the disciplinary hearing against Petitioner, the Council intends to set a dangerous precedent for every legislator: if we don't like your speech, we are coming after you, Walden wrote in the suit."

Queens Republican Councilmember Vickie Paladino filed a lawsuit to prevent the NYC Council from disciplining her over anti-Muslim posts on social media. The Council Ethics Committee charged her with disorderly behavior for tweets encouraging Muslim expulsion and characterizing the mayor's prayer with Muslim workers as Islamic conquest. Paladino's attorney argues the posts on her personal X account constitute protected First Amendment speech and claims she faces selective enforcement of council rules. The council charged her under anti-discrimination and harassment policies, stating the posts made staff feel unwelcome. Potential consequences include censure, fines, or expulsion.

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