Local governments in Michigan can hold virtual meetings because of the corona virus pandemic. But when Kalamazoo City commissioners did that last night, they ran into trouble with Internet trolls.
The commission met to talk about a loan program for struggling businesses. When it opened public comments, one speaker used the n-word. Another was anti-Semitic. The city cut the offensive comments off. It also shortened each speaker’s time. But the trolls kept coming, with some genuine speakers in between. City Attorney Clyde Robinson said the state doesn’t require an open mic.
“I think perhaps that is the solution here, that we offer an email address that can be used for people to submit comments.”
The city ended up limiting the total number of speakers at the meeting as trolls appeared to be jumping back in line.