Matthews Leaders to Consider Changes after Hateful ‘Zoom-bombing’ Incident

MATTHEWS, N.C. (HERE News) – Matthews town commissioners will hold a special meeting Tuesday evening to discuss how to handle public comments moving forward. The gathering comes one week after at least one person “Zoom-bombed” a meeting last week, calling in with fake names and spewing hateful comments.

Background

The issue with the situation deals with peoples’ right to speak freely during public comment periods. However, it was clear from last week’s meeting that some of those comments crossed the line for some in the audience, as well as with commissioners. The offensive comments went on for more than 20 minutes, causing discomfort among attendees.

Current Rules

Currently, Matthews’ rules require requests to speak to be made to the town clerk prior to the start of a meeting. Speakers are allowed up to five minutes of talking time and are allowed to speak online via Zoom. All comments should be civil in nature and speak to the issue at hand.

Comparison with Charlotte City Council

The rules for Charlotte City Council meetings are different. If 10 or less speakers are signed up, each gets three minutes to talk. If there are more than 10, each person gets two minutes. Speakers must sign up ahead of time either online or in person before the agenda item is called.

Special Meeting

Tuesday’s special meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Matthews Town Hall. During the meeting, town commissioners will discuss how to handle public comment periods in a way that allows for free speech while maintaining a respectful and inclusive environment for all participants.

Matthews town leaders are committed to ensuring that such incidents of hateful ‘Zoom-bombing’ do not occur in the future and are exploring ways to prevent and address such behavior effectively.

Next Steps

The goal is to create a safe and welcoming space for community members to voice their opinions and concerns without the fear of facing harassment or inappropriate behavior. By reevaluating the current procedures and implementing necessary changes, Matthews aims to foster a more positive and constructive dialogue during public meetings.

Conclusion

Addressing the aftermath of the recent ‘Zoom-bombing’ incident is a top priority for Matthews leaders, and the upcoming meeting signifies their dedication to ensuring a respectful and inclusive environment for all residents. The town looks forward to implementing measures that will prevent such occurrences in the future and promote a culture of civility and respect during public engagements.