SPOKANE, Wash. — A Spokane County Superior Court judge on Thursday granted a motion from the City of Spokane, dismissing multiple claims brought by , finding no legal merit to his case.
According to a press release from Mayor Lisa Brown’s office, the judge rejected Feucht’s arguments related to a resolution the Spokane City Council passed in September 2023 denouncing for appearing at a rally with Feucht.
The mayor’s office said that the court ruled:
The resolution contained “no punitive or censorial aspect, or even a threat of potential punishment or censorship.”The resolution did not burden Feucht’s religious practices or free speech, and he could not show that he was harmed in any way by it.Feucht’s free speech claim was invalid, with the court noting the Constitution “does not prohibit a legislative body’s expression of its own views on matters of public concern, even if it includes criticism of certain ideas, individuals, or entities.”The city and council members were protected by legislative and qualified immunity, which barred Feucht’s claims.
Mayor Brown, Council President Betsy Wilkerson and Councilmember Zack Zappone issued a joint statement following the ruling:
“The Superior Court’s thorough and clear ruling is a complete victory for the City of Spokane. Today’s decision reaffirms what we have maintained all along: that there was no legal merit to Mr. Feucht’s claims. At a time when extremism is on the rise, it is reassuring that the Court upheld the Constitution and our community’s values.”
The event was originally scheduled outdoors at the Spokane Pavilion but was moved indoors due to poor air quality from the Gray and Oregon Road fires.
.
Woodward later denounced Shea and his beliefs in an interview with NonStop Local KHQ.
The controversy prompted the City Council to pass a formal resolution on Sept. 25, 2023, denouncing Woodward’s appearance with Shea “and the implications of her accepting his support.”
Feucht’s lawsuit claimed he suffered “emotional distress and other non-economic damages.” The total amount of damages he is seeking was not specified, with attorneys saying the sum “will be proved at trial.” He also sought an injunction preventing city officials from condemning government leaders who interact with him on the basis of his religious beliefs, and a court ruling that the council lacked authority to pass its resolution.
