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The City of Orem banned book displays for gay pride, women’s history, and minority groups. When the Utah Library Association (ULA) criticized that policy as discriminating against particular viewpoints, the city stripped library staff, including Orem librarian and former president of the ULA Rita Christensen, of a key professional benefit the city provided for years: time and resources to join and participate in ULA programs. Further, the city warned the librarians not to criticize its policies, or else risk being fired under an unconstitutionally vague social media policy that forbids employees from making “disparaging comments” about the city, its policies, or its leadership.

But public employees do not lose the right to criticize the government just because they work for it. And the public needs to know what’s happening inside the government from those with first-hand knowledge. That’s why FIREis warning the city: Restore the librarians’ benefits on equal footing as other city employees and lose the unconstitutional gag policy. If you don’t, we’ll sue.

On June 1, 2023, FIREsent a letter to the City of Orem demanding that the city end its retaliatory stripping of benefits for library employees wanting to associate with the ULA and revise its social media policy to clarify that employees retain their First Amendment right to criticize government policies when speaking in their capacities as private citizens on matters of public concern.

No one should be afraid to speak out against their government. That’s why FIREis representing the ULA to fight for a culture of free thought rather than a culture of silence at the Orem Library.

On July 7, 2023, the City of Orem responded by lifting its policy banning employees from participating in ULA, affirming its commitment to the First Amendment, adopting a new display policy, and inviting further dialogue about changes to the social media policy. 

On June 5, 2024 after extensive discussions and negotiations with ��֭����, the City adopted and announced a new social media policy that respects the First Amendment rights of City employees. Among other significant changes, the new policy eliminates an unconstitutional prohibition  on speech that could “discredit or disparage the City” and clearly states in plain and understandable language that “Employees are generally free to express themselves as private citizens on social media sites.”

We are pleased to see these noticeable improvements and hope that they will ensure Orem employees feel free to speak out without fear of censorship.