On January 8, the town of Killingly voted five to four to reinstate what the Laurel and many others think is an antiquated and racist mascot, the “Redmen.”
WNPR reporter Frankie Graziano reported on Twitter that the Board of Education’s vote on Wednesday marked “America’s first known restoration of a mascot considered offensive to Native Americans.”
During the meeting, another issue arose from the presence of local media in the room. WFSB reported that “Board Chairman Craig Hanford called the town’s attorney because he said he felt uncomfortable when Channel 3 placed our microphone at the table he was sitting at.”
WFSB photojournalist Kevin Galliford tweeted about Hanford being “uncomfortable” to which there was much response.
The microphones were later placed farther to the left and right of Hanford, according to Galliford.
Former Hartford Courant investigative reporter Matthew Kauffman responded by sharing the state statute for recording meetings.
Regardless of any public official’s comfort level, photography and recording of public meetings is a right afforded to us by the First Amendment.
WFSB reporter Mike Savino retweeted Galliford and added, “Then don’t run for public office.”
