BREAKING| Rawls Files Federal Lawsuit Citing First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendment Violations
- BTW21
- Jun 5
- 2 min read
As first covered by The Martinsville Bulletin
MARTINSVILLE, Va. (BTW21) Martinsville City Councilman Aaron Rawls has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that his constitutional rights were violated during a public meeting when he was forcibly removed from the City Council chambers while speaking out against a pay raise for the city manager.
According to the complaint, Rawls claims the incident—captured on video—occurred during a City Council meeting on March 25, while he was using the designated “Comments by Members of City Council” portion of the agenda to criticize city leadership.
He specifically opposed a 15% salary increase given to City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides under a previously undisclosed agreement dated March 18.
The lawsuit states that Deputy Sheriff Keen, acting on a non-verbal signal from Ferrell-Benavides, approached Rawls while he was seated on the council dais, physically seized him, and ordered him to leave the meeting and the building.
The suit asserts that Keen’s actions were part of a coordinated effort with Ferrell-Benavides, who had “no legitimate authority or right to cause the removal of Rawls.”
Rawls’ legal complaint—filed by attorney William Hurd of Richmond—alleges that the forced removal violated his rights under the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
The lawsuit claims Rawls was exercising his right to free speech, suffered an unlawful seizure, and was denied equal protection under the law.
During his comments, Rawls had not violated any rules of decorum nor mentioned the city manager by name, the suit states.
City Council Mayor L.C. Jones, who was presiding over the meeting, did not instruct Keen to intervene or remove Rawls, nor did he accuse Rawls of making personal attacks.
Rawls reportedly sought clarification during the incident when Jones directed him to “fall in order.” Moments later, the deputy physically escorted him from the dais, through the council chamber, and out of the building.
The lawsuit emphasizes that the removal was “humiliating” and took place in front of both the public and a growing online audience, as video footage of the event has circulated widely.
The suit includes a request for preliminary and permanent injunctions to prevent Ferrell-Benavides or Keen from removing Rawls from future council meetings.
It also seeks damages for the alleged constitutional violations and public embarrassment.
Ferrell-Benavides is currently on medical leave and was not available for comment.
The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for council decorum rules, freedom of speech in public forums, and the limits of authority held by non-elected officials at municipal meetings.
More updates will follow as the case proceeds through federal court.
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