McKinney recall drive faces accusations of intimidation and legal challenges

Since the City Council unanimously approved a mosque relocation on Aug. 4, a group of residents has pursued a recall of Mayor Bill Cox and councilors Justin Beller, Geré Feltus and Ernest Lynch, citing loss of public confidence. Petition volunteers, such as Ashley Marie, report that businesses hosting signature drives receive harassing calls and that individuals are being followed, filmed and publicly named. Former Mayor George Fuller has used social media to caution that petition signatures are public records and posted a video he says misrepresents a recall supporter, which the volunteer disputes.

Additional community members have posted threatening messages and flyers, prompting a federal civil-rights complaint by Collin County Citizens for Integrity. Recall advocates argue the effort is about protecting democratic participation, and they have until Sept. 26 to collect the required 5,805 signatures for a potential special election.