The lawsuit claims that the Montana House of Representatives, led by Republicans, violated Zooey Zephyr’s First Amendment rights by attempting to silence her.
According to the complaint, blocking Zephyr from fully participating in legislative proceedings also denied proper representation to the 11,000 people who elected her. The lawsuit argues that the censure against her unfairly stripped away an important part of the role her constituents chose her to carry out.
Those named as defendants in the case include the state of Montana, House Speaker Matt Regier, and House Sergeant-at-Arms Bradley Murfitt.
A spokesperson for Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen dismissed the lawsuit as politically motivated activism disguised as legal action.
In a statement, press secretary Emily Flower said the American Civil Liberties Union was attempting to use the courts to interfere with the legislature’s constitutional responsibilities. She also argued that any court ruling in favor of the lawsuit would undermine the separation of powers.