Let me make this clear off the bat: I believe in the First Amendment, and would adamantly oppose anything that I felt inhibited someone’s ability to say what they felt needed to be said.

When the Council voted to once again adjust public speaking time on Tuesday, it wasn’t an infringement on anyone’s rights; it wasn’t an attempt to silence anyone.

It was a move to start taking back control of their Council Chambers, and I 100% support it.

For around two years now, City Council and staff have wrestled with the integrity of their meetings, trying to find the line between lawful appreciation of democracy and keeping the dais from resembling a three-ring circus.

Yet almost to a fault, the Council always seemed to air on the side of caution, roll over and take the relentless abuse thrown at them, for fear of legal action.

It was one thing when it was just Armando Herman, who relishes the opportunity to rinse and repeat his favorite four-letter words.

It was another thing when it was the Downey Tenants Union, who though morally grey at times, could be afforded some benefit of the doubt. At the very least, they were organized and had some semblance of a protest.

What we have now is a whole different ball game.

The city and its council have been at the mercy of a minority who mistake being loud, crass, and obnoxious for activism.

Herman is as unhinged as ever, and is now accompanied by Mike Greenspan (The “Bruin butt-kickin’ Florida Gator”), who is just as vile and vulgar as his counterpart.

There’s Rudolpho Cortez with camera in hand, eagerly searching for a “gotcha” moment. It’s a shame, because when he speaks you can tell he is actually quite educated, even if you don’t agree with what he says. There might be a place to open some dialogue, if he’d ever just get over himself.

And then there’s Joey Martinez, who I can only describe as the ringleader. Along with his same dead-horse beating rants, he catcalls the mayor and city attorney from his seat, gets up and (loudly) speaks with the other gadflies, antagonizes other speakers he doesn’t agree with, and yet somehow seems to always tow the line of the meeting rules just enough to be safe.

They are joined by a hodgepodge of other colorful characters off and on, all with their own quirks.

All of them zig-zag through the meeting rules as if they were more like guidelines, if they don’t flat out ignore them. Instead of our city leadership, Council and staff are instead forced to act more like babysitters.

And whether this group wants to admit it or not, the decision made this week is no one’s fault but their own.

You could say that by taking office, Claudia Frometa, Blanca Pacheco, Mario Trujillo, Sean Ashton, Catherine Alvarez, and all council members past and yet to come have opened themselves up for scrutiny.

To that, I’d say you’re right.

But what has transpired over the last couple of years - culminating in two consecutive meetings that deteriorated enough that the council chambers needed to be cleared - is far beyond protest. It borders on anarchy. At the very least, it’s unreasonable.

I’d even add that it’s cowardly. If nothing else, it’s counterproductive.

The actions of these select few, whether they know it or not, discourages others from doing what they themselves seem to be seeking to do.

Imagine being a resident who wanted to approach the council on an issue on their street, in their neighborhood, or at their business, and being forced to not only witness the antics of a handful of renegades, but wait and put your concern on hold until the late hours of the night because of it.

Imagine being a business owner wanting to bring your business into Downey, only to see the inmates run the asylum every second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

Votes are happening in the council chambers. Decisions are being made. Policy is being passed.

Technically.

But real work, democracy, and progress? That’s been missing for a long time.

Downey used to allow five minutes for speaking practically whenever Council spoke about anything, which I’ll admit even I thought was a bit much.

We’re down to a single four minute opportunity.

I’m glad to see the council start to take its chamber back; it should have happened a long time ago.

And yes, I realize I’ll probably get an earful about this next Tuesday. That’s fine.

It’s been needed to be said for a long time, and luckily, I have the freedom of speech (and press) on my side.

Alex Dominguez is a staff writer for the Downey Patriot.