Is the First Amendment, the cornerstone of American liberties, truly under siege in the heart of Texas? A civil rights lawsuit filed in March 2024 against Aransas Pass Police Chief Eric Blanchard alleges a disturbing pattern of First and Fourteenth Amendment violations, raising critical questions about the protection of free speech and the conduct of law enforcement.

The legal battle, initiated by Jason Followell, accuses Chief Blanchard of suppressing Followells First Amendment rights. The crux of the matter revolves around allegations of retaliatory actions and the alleged use of official power to silence a citizen critical of local government operations. The lawsuit claims violations of the Texas Constitution as well, adding another layer of complexity to the case.

The genesis of the controversy can be traced back to a series of events unfolding in Aransas Pass, Texas. According to court documents, the core of the dispute stems from allegations that Chief Blanchard directed actions against Followell following public statements and criticisms directed towards the police department and city officials. These actions, according to the lawsuit, included initiating inspections and potentially using the apparatus of the city to create legal troubles for Followell. The lawsuit claims a pattern of harassment and intimidation designed to quell dissent.

The situation escalated on June 16, 2022, when Chief Blanchard allegedly instructed an inspector to find grounds to charge Mr. Followell with some infraction. This order, if proven, would represent a blatant overreach of police power, using city resources to silence opposition. The lawsuit suggests these inspections, with their potentially contested infractions, were not merely routine but were designed to intimidate and silence the citizen in question. The question remains: was this just a misunderstanding, or was it a deliberate act of suppression?

The backdrop to this legal clash involves the recent departure of Chief Blanchard from the Aransas Pass Police Department, where he served for over 12 years. His last day with the department was January 3rd. He has since taken up a new role as the Chief of Police for the Sinton Police Department. This transition has further intensified the scrutiny of his actions in Aransas Pass, making the civil rights case even more relevant. The timing of the lawsuit, coinciding with his move to Sinton, adds a further layer of complexity and potentially impacts public perception.

Adding to the intrigue, a city council meeting held in Aransas Pass on a Tuesday became extremely heated during the public comment period. Citizen Jason Followell, at the center of the legal proceedings, addressed the council. Further, attorney C.J. Grisham and his client, Jason Followell, were removed from the meeting after violating rules of decorum, underscoring the contentious environment.

The legal proceedings, however, are not solely focused on individual instances of alleged misconduct. The broader implications center around the protection of citizens' rights to freedom of speech. The lawsuit details allegations that Followells ability to voice his opinions freely has been curtailed through various means, including warnings. This has the effect of creating a chilling effect on anyone who might wish to engage in public commentary on local government.

The complaint specifically points to the suppression of Mr. Followells First Amendment rights through a variety of actions. This could include the selective enforcement of regulations or the imposition of restrictions meant to silence or intimidate. The lawsuit seeks to clarify whether these actions were within the bounds of the law or an abuse of power.

The case is available on the Texas Southern District Court's electronic court filings (ECF) system. Court records and litigation filings are also available via Justia Dockets & Filings, which offers public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. This open access allows the public to scrutinize the claims and legal proceedings in detail.

The core of the dispute, as stated in the lawsuit, revolves around an alleged infringement upon Mr. Followells First Amendment rights. The specifics are detailed in the civil rights complaint, where it is stated that Chief Blanchards actions were retaliatory and were intended to silence a vocal critic.

The lawsuit has brought national attention to the city of Aransas Pass and its police department, placing the conduct of its top officer under intense legal and public scrutiny. The case has ramifications far beyond the confines of the local community.

Category	Details
Full Name	Eric Blanchard
Current Position	Chief of Police, Sinton Police Department
Former Position	Chief of Police, Aransas Pass Police Department
Years with Aransas Pass PD	12+ years
Last Day at Aransas Pass PD	January 3
Education	Information Not Available
Experience	Over 12 years as Police Chief in Aransas Pass, and a Texas peace officer with a long history of service.
Known For	Serving as Police Chief in Aransas Pass; being involved in civil rights lawsuit filed in March 2024; being appointed as Chief of Sinton PD.
Additional Information	Chief Blanchard served with distinction for over 12 years, and the lawsuit has highlighted various controversies.
Related News	Civil Rights Lawsuit Filed in March 2024 by Jason Followell, Aransas Pass City Council Meeting
Reference	Google Search Results

The lawsuit also references events from January of that year, specifically concerning an incident during a city council meeting. Attorney C.J. Grisham and Jason Followell were removed under the threat of arrest for violating the rules of decorum. These events and other exchanges, including the alleged statement by Chief Blanchard, that Followell's attorney should "stop talking and just sue me", are now part of the official legal record.

The core of the legal argument rests on the alleged infringement upon Mr. Followells constitutional rights, specifically those guaranteed by the First and Fourteenth Amendments, as well as protections under the Texas Constitution. The complaint alleges that his free speech rights were suppressed through a variety of tactics. This case will set a precedent about the balance between law enforcement's authority and a citizen's right to criticize.

The legal filings underscore that the case is about upholding constitutional freedoms and ensuring that the government is held accountable when these freedoms are at risk. The ultimate ruling by the court could have significant consequences. Depending on the outcome, the decision will send a clear message to law enforcement agencies and citizens alike, setting precedents about the extent of free speech protections.

The impact of this case is being felt throughout Aransas Pass and the larger legal community in Texas. The outcome of the trial will set precedents on the extent of First Amendment rights within city limits and the limits of police power.