KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) In a tense and crowded meeting Thursday night, the Keene City Council voted 11–4 not to pursue disciplinary action against Councilor Bobby Williams, whose recent Facebook comments about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk ignited public controversy.

City Hall was filled to capacity, with standing room only as residents turned out for a debate that quickly grew heated. Mayor Jay Kahn opened the meeting by announcing there would be no public comment, then laid out the case against Williams. He also warned attendees not to display signs or applaud during proceedings — instructions that were tested multiple times.

At one point, mayoral candidate Bradford Hutchinson disrupted the meeting twice and was escorted out by police. Later, when Williams read a statement in his own defense, members of the crowd clapped, prompting Kahn to remind them that no outbursts would be tolerated.

Councilors then debated whether Williams’ Facebook posts — in which he called Kirk “a piece of [expletive] who promoted gun violence and died by gun violence” — warranted disciplinary action. Williams also drew criticism for responding to a commenter by saying Kirk’s wife “made her choice” and that “her kids need to know.”

Some councilors, including Kris Roberts and Ed Haas, argued the remarks, however offensive, were protected speech. “I may not agree with what someone says, but I will always defend with my life their ability to say that,” Roberts said. Haas added that barring direct threats, speech alone should not be grounds for persecution.

Others, like Councilor Jacob Favolise, called Williams’ comments a “lapse of judgment” that damaged public trust. Councilor Mitch Greenwald introduced the motion to proceed with the city charter’s disciplinary process, which would have required a two-thirds vote to move forward.

Ultimately, the council voted 11–4 against initiating the process. The “yes” votes came from Councilors Kate Bosley, Favolise, Thomas Powers, and Michael Remy, who attended remotely. Williams himself voted “no” and has given no indication he plans to resign.

Background to the debate

Williams issued an apology Wednesday on Facebook, acknowledging his remarks were “unkind and inflammatory,” while also framing the backlash as part of a larger battle over free speech. “Across the country, there are hundreds of cases like mine,” he wrote, “in which people who have expressed negative sentiments about Charlie Kirk are being subjected to organized harassment campaigns.”

The controversy stems from Williams’ posts made Sept. 11, just after Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors have charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson and are seeking the death penalty. Authorities have not tied Robinson to right-wing politics, contradicting Williams’ speculation online.

Kahn, in a Sept. 16 letter to councilors, said Williams’ rhetoric was divisive and undermined unity. In a radio interview Thursday morning, hours before the meeting, Kahn explained that the city’s disciplinary procedure — established in 2013 but never used until now — was meant to provide due process. He emphasized that while online petitions and public anger can’t dictate outcomes, councilors must weigh how their colleague’s conduct affects public trust.

Despite that framework, councilors Thursday night opted not to move forward, leaving Williams in his seat with his term running through 2027.