By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-914125.mp3
KALAMAZOO, MI –
A Facebook page started by a Western Michigan University student has sparked a debate about freedom of speech and consumer protection laws in the state.
AUDIO:
Justin Kurtz says a towing business is using a lawsuit to harass him because he used Facebook to complain about his treatment by the company. Kurtz says T&J Towing removed his car from his apartment parking lot and told him he had to pay before he could see his car. Kurtz says none of his valuables were stolen, but his apartment parking pass was missing and his car alarm had been reset. He says no one took his complaint seriously.
"I filed the police report, I tried to get somewhere with the towing company, I tried to get somewhere with the department office, so I started a Facebook group called Kalamazoo Residents Against T&J Towing,'" he says.
Kurtz is being sued by the company for three-quarters of a million dollars. A bill on the House floor would require courts to throw out such lawsuits against people who are exercising freedom of speech or the right to petition. Kurtz says it's gone much farther than he expected.