Safety, decorum concerns hit breaking point for some Duluth city councilors
DULUTH, Minn. – FOX 21 has learned there are growing safety concerns among Duluth city councilors that involve online threats, personal attacks and continued disorder of Robert’s Rules of Order.
The latest example of decorum happened Monday night when Council Vice President Janet Kennedy was repeatedly interrupted by some in the audience when it was her turn to speak – and after the public comment period that lasted well over an hour.
Council V.P. Janet Kennedy
At one point, Kennedy addressed the interrupters by saying, “I have been so respectful in listening to all of you, and I just ask for the same respect. I don’t see you doing that to any other counselors, except for me, except for the Black woman. I’m going to call it out. You are doing it to me — only as a Black woman.”
In an interview with Council President Lynn Nephew Tuesday afternoon, she said the problem goes beyond interruptions at council. She said there is a consistent group of constituents breaking Robert’s Rules of Order, and some go even further by swearing and throwing personal attacks at councilors while speaking at the podium.
Nephew said councilors have requested extra Duluth police officers to be nearby the council chambers during the last several meetings.
“I was at a coffee shop just last week, and instead of my name on the cup, when I went to pick it up, it instead said Nazi on it. So I discarded that. I’ve had voicemails left where people wrote me a lovely song, and the most recent one was a song that was written for me about how I should kill myself and die. So, these things are happening to us. When we’re in [the] chambers and we are experiencing this sort of interaction with folks, we are uncomfortable and often afraid to walk to our cars,” Nephew said.
Beyond safety concerns, Nephew said there are talks happening with past councilors, current councilors, Mayor Roger Reinert and his administration to help bring civility and order back to the Council Chambers because she said other constituents don’t feel comfortable speaking at the podium because of some in the audience who continue to heckle.
Council President Lynn Nephew
Click here to watch the full council meeting from Monday, Feb. 9, 2026
“No matter if you’re far right or you’re far left or anything in between, it should be a place where you can come and you can talk and you can feel safe and you can respect it, because everyone … is your neighbor,” Nephew explained. “Sometimes we live in our own echo chambers, and we don’t open ourselves to listening to those who have a vastly different view, and that’s part of what Council Chambers can offer. But you have to sit there and listen thoughtfully, and that’s not happening, and it’s sad.”
Late Tuesday, FOX 21’s Dan Hanger talked with Councilor Kennedy by phone. She said she’s still processing what happened at Monday night’s meeting, and what can be done to move forward in a positive and respectful way.
But Kennedy acknowledged she is afraid for her safety row now, as the only person of color on the council and because she said certain constituents are posting on social media about her that could incite violence. 
FOX 21 also reached out to Mayor Reinert for a statement on the council meeting concerns. The full statement reads:
“Disrespectful behavior including shouting, jeering, swearing, and name calling by members of the public are an alarming trend at our City Council meetings.
The Council Chambers should be a welcoming and safe space for all – and all viewpoints. Over the past several months this has increasingly not been the case. Whether you agree, or disagree, or just want to get your garage variance passed – you and your voice should be respected at a meeting of the Duluth City Council. Our elected City Councilors deserve this as well.
Duluth has a long and proud tradition of civility and respect in our public discourse. I realize that’s not being modeled at all levels of government but that doesn’t mean we should not continue to set the highest standard.”
