Attorney Sues Ohio Judge Over Black Lives Matter Button
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) - A lawyer sentenced to five days in an Ohio jail for refusing to remove a Black Lives Matter button while in court has filed a federal lawsuit, saying her free speech rights were violated.
The Youngstown Vindicator reports Andrea Burton sued Youngstown Municipal Court Judge Robert Milich on Thursday. Milich last month sentenced Burton for contempt of court after she refused to remove the button.
He said he cited her because of a U.S. Supreme Court decision banning political buttons in courtrooms. The Black Lives Matter movement grew out of several killings of blacks by police.
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Milich stayed the order after Burton agreed to follow the dress code, pending appeal of the order.
Milich is white. Burton is black.
She also sued the city and Milich's colleague Judge Elizabeth Kobly.
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