safety
Affordable energy advocate sues police over access to Georgia Capitol
By Anna Najarian at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· June 25, 2026
· 2 min read
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A former Democratic Party Public Service Commission (PSC) candidate has filed a lawsuit against a Georgia State Capitol Police lieutenant for allegedly restricting her access to the state capitol building. Patty Durand, who was arrested last year after being ac...
Key takeaway (Atlanta News First) — A former Democratic Party Public Service Commission (PSC) candidate has filed a lawsuit against a Georgia State Capitol Police lieutenant for allegedly restricting her access to the state capitol building.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The lawsuit filed by Patty Durand against the Georgia State Capitol Police lieutenant has significant implications for the community's ability to engage with the Public Service Commission. As the founder of Georgians for Affordable Energy, Durand's work focuses on ensuring that Georgia Power customers are treated fairly, and that decisions made by the PSC are transparent and accountable. By restricting her access to the state capitol building, the police may be inadvertently limiting the public's ability to participate in the decision-making process. The fact that Durand is allowed to enter other Capitol Hill properties with an escort, but not the PSC office, raises questions about the consistency of the ban and its potential impact on free speech. As the case moves forward, it will be important to watch how the court balances the need for public safety with the right to petition the government and participate in public hearings.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: safety ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A former Democratic Party Public Service Commission (PSC) candidate has filed a lawsuit against a Georgia State Capitol Police lieutenant for allegedly restricting her access to the state capitol building. Patty Durand, who was arrested last year after being ac...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Anna Najarian at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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