Sher Sheshab Heter-C.M. Boxley says he filed a complaint with the state ACLU Friday claiming infringement of his right to free speech outside a meeting for the Natchez Trace Extension project in December.

He said the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi will likely receive the complaint by mail Monday. In it, Boxley claims City Engineer David Gardner violated his right to free speech.

On Dec. 16, Boxley said he was distributing leaflets at the National Park Service office at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center on Canal Street. Boxley’s leaflets stated opposition to the extention of the Natchez Trace without inclusion of the Forks of the Road historic site.

The leaflets were handed out to individuals attending a meeting to discuss the extension of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

In his complaint, Boxley states that Gardner &uot;boldly and in a storm trooper, authoritarian manner, ordered me to leave.&uot;

Gardner said Friday he had not seen the complaint, so he could not comment on it. But he cautioned that it likely contained &uot;only one side of the story.&uot;

&uot;All elected officials in the city have gone out of their way to assist Mr. Boxley in his efforts, and apparently that’s not enough,&uot; said Natchez Mayor Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown Friday.

Boxley’s ultimate goal in the complaint to the ACLU is to promote respectful dialogue from government leaders, he said.

&uot;I want to see guidelines set forth that says you don’t strong-arm citizens and you don’t disrespect the public when you’re discussing use of public funds,&uot; Boxley said.

Sibyl Caver, office manager with the ACLU&160;of Mississippi in Jackson, said the organization will review Boxley’s complaint if it is received.

&uot;After 10 days, we get back in touch with the individual who filed the complaint – whether we take their case or not,&uot; Caver said.

The ACLU only reviews cases involving violations of civil or constitutional rights, she said.

If the ACLU should decide to become involved in the complaint at the end of the 10-day evaluation, Caver said the ACLU is most likely to either file correspondence on Boxley’s behalf, negotiate with city officials on his behalf, or file a lawsuit for infringement of his right to free speech.

&uot;We generally only get involved in suits that affect a large group of people,&uot; Caver said.

Boxley maintains that his complaint does affect a large number of people.

&uot;I hope the ACLU will step in and negotiate with the city to generate policy to have guidelines in respect to addressing the public,&uot; he said.