To the editor:

Employee rights — having learned much about political and constitutional rights, Crestwood is wrong.

Its charter, civil service rules and contracts should all say employees have the right to fully participate in the political process at all levels of government, in public and private issues, so long as they don’t use city time, resources or make it appear they are making requests or taking actions on behalf of or as a city employee.

Otherwise, I believe Crestwood is deliberately trying to slap people down from participating in public discourse, and it will not be upheld in the courts.

I see Florissant is also trying to limit employee freedom to participate in the election process.

Do you want your tax dollars wasted on lawsuits that could be avoided by following the law?

When the alderpersons took their oaths, I’ll bet they swore to up-hold the U.S. and Missouri Constitutions and laws.

The laws and both Constitutions — with the Bill of Rights — give freedom of expression, speech, assembly, association, vote and many important rights, ones that absolutely override and preempt the cities’ aims.

That’s what being an American means. If an employee feels wronged, contact the American Civil Liberties Union; they also help people with these issues. And thanks to the Call for bringing these abuses to light.

The city of St. Louis lost the legal fights to keep residents from using their home for speech — no eminent domain — and just recently to ticket/arrest leafleteers on public issues.

Barbi Diehl

Oakville