Canton community members are speaking out after Canton City Council on Monday banned public comment during meetings.

Council voted 8 to 2 to eliminate the ‘public speaks’ period during meetings, citing safety concerns and recent threats on social media.

While public comments at some recent meetings have gotten heated, LaRinda Johnson, who regularly attends meetings, said that’s not a reason to ban the comment period outright.

“I was disappointed, but not surprised,” Johnson said. “It’s disappointing that others are, in a way, punished, or our right to speak is taken away.”

Calls and emails to Council President Kristen Bates Aylward were not immediately returned to Ideastream Tuesday.

"Public speaks has increasingly evolved into an unproductive and often hostile style," Council Majorit

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