The city of Alpharetta Settles for $55,000: “Stomped on My Right to Freedom of Speech”

The City of Alpharetta, Georgia, has agreed to a $55,000 settlement and will revise its panhandling laws after the arrest of Jeff Gray, a US Army veteran and retired truck driver, for holding a sign supporting homeless veterans.

The settlement was reached in the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division. It requires Alpharetta to adjust its regulations to better protect First Amendment rights. The city will also provide training for law enforcement on respecting these rights.

Jeff Gray, who will receive $41,250 of the settlement, expressed his gratitude to The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), which represents him. The remaining settlement funds will go to FIRE.

“The City of Alpharetta stomped on my right to freedom of speech,” Gray stated. “FIRE taught Alpharetta that everyone has the right to free speech.”

Gray’s lawsuit arose from a 2022 incident when he was detained for allegedly violating the city’s anti-panhandling policy by advocating for homeless veterans. His actions were defended as protected political expression under the First Amendment.

In addition to his activism, Gray runs a YouTube channel focusing on civil rights investigations and First and Second Amendment rights audits. He has a history of legal actions defending free speech, including a successful challenge leading to an amendment in Blackshear’s Parades and Demonstrations Ordinance.

This case underscores the ongoing battle for free speech and the rights of individuals to express their views, particularly when advocating for marginalized groups like homeless veterans. Alpharetta’s revision of its panhandling laws is a victory for free expression and a reminder of the importance of protecting constitutional rights.