A Cobb County mother is suing the Cobb County School District because she said she was wrongly arrested after complaining about a school event's lack of organization.
Cynthia Yates said it happened at the ninth-grade advisement night at Harrison High School in February. She said she grew frustrated after waiting in long lines, so she decided to leave.
"The person checking me out said, 'No, you have to go to all of the tables.' I said, 'No, I've had enough. Whoever organized this needs to be shot in the head, what were they thinking?' I continued to give my feelings and she interjects, 'I did (plan the event),'" Yates said.
Yates said after she expressed her dissatisfaction with the program, she took her daughter home.
"One week later, I get a knock on the door," Yates said.
Police put her in handcuffs, booked her in jail and took her mugshot. According to an arrest warrant, Yates was arrested for disruption of public schools.
The warrant reads: "Mr. Cynthia Yates was visibly upset and started yelling at teachers and Counselors, and when they tried to explain she would interrupt and keep yelling."
The warrant goes on to say that Yates made threats about an employee being shot.
The charges were later dropped, but now Yates is filing a federal lawsuit claiming she was wrongfully arrested and her freedom of speech was violated.
"It is an 'oops' moment. You don't lock people up because you hurt their feelings. Maybe you demand apology, you don't lock them up. I'm entitled to give feedback," Yates said.
"We have absolute right to freedom of speech. I know the 'don't cry fire in a crowded theater.' That didn't happen here. I had a right to give feedback," Yates said.
Cobb County Schools officials said they do not comment on ongoing litigation.
