Activists Sue Washington County, Citing Free Speech Violations Amid Broader Allegations of Government Retaliation

A new lawsuit filed in Washington County Circuit Court has escalated tensions between local officials and activist Shaun Porter, who is joined by fellow plaintiff Justin Holder in challenging what they describe as unconstitutional restrictions on public participation. The pair allege that Washington County’s recent meeting conduct rules and a trespass order issued against Porter are part of a broader effort to silence political dissent.

The suit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief against the Washington County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), arguing that the recently adopted rules of conduct at public meetings are both unconstitutionally vague and selectively enforced. The complaint, filed under case number C-21-CV-25-000180, further alleges that a letter barring Porter from attending commissioner meetings for six months constitutes a “credible threat of prosecution” aimed at chilling his right to criticize the government. The plaintiffs assert these actions violate the Maryland Declaration of Rights and the First Amendment.

Justin Holder, a frequent collaborator of Porter, is also the plaintiff in a separate civil case filed in 2024 that levels far-reaching allegations under Maryland’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. That case, filed under case number C-21-CV-21-000116, names numerous defendants including the Mayor and Council of Keedysville, Mayor Kenneth Lord, and several private individuals. In a sprawling 348-page amended complaint, Holder claims a pattern of corruption, civil rights violations, and retaliatory suppression of public records requests. The case alleges that local government actors engaged in coordinated efforts to interfere with Holder’s property rights, obstruct legal remedies, and retaliate against his advocacy efforts.

Holder and Porter have both used Maryland’s Public Information Act (MPIA) to investigate and expose government activity, a practice they claim has made them targets for retaliation. In the current lawsuit, they argue that the BOCC’s new meeting rules are being used as a tool to exclude critics from public discourse, in violation of their rights to equal protection and due process. The plaintiffs are seeking a temporary restraining order, as well as preliminary and permanent injunctions to prevent the county from enforcing the contested rules.

The legal filing also asks the court to declare the conduct regulations unconstitutional on their face and as applied, emphasizing that other citizens who do not criticize the government remain free to attend meetings. The plaintiffs warn that without court intervention, the BOCC’s actions will suppress dissent, deny access to public forums, and erode fundamental rights protected under Maryland and federal law. A jury trial has been requested.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the Circuit Court for Washington County and the plaintiffs’ legal filings

Associated documents for this story are available in our Public Information Archive.

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