More than two dozen protesters marched on Monday afternoon’s meeting the Lawrence City Commission to oppose proposed “decorum rules” that would prohibit displaying political signs at commission meetings.

“We love Sue Hack!” one sign read. “She’s the best mayor we’ve ever had.”

Anne Burgess, of Lawrence, protests with her sign at the City Commissioners meeting. The city commission discussed the possible banning of signs.

In apparent response to protests, commissioners unveiled a new set of rules that would allow prohibition of signs only if they “disrupt the flow of business, obstruct the view of citizens, or that can cause injury.”

Representatives of the Douglas County chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union were to attend the meeting to protest the proposed rules.

One of the proposed rules would prohibit the public bringing signs to meetings that express their views on issues under consideration.

Mary Davidson, president of the Douglas County ACLU, sent a letter to Mayor Sue Hack over the weekend protesting the proposal.

“I think your requested proposal for a ban on signs, applause, and shouting at City Commission meetings is an unwarranted restriction on freedom of speech,” Davidson said. “Not everyone is given time to speak formally on various agenda items. Holding a sign or applauding may express political ideas in a way which may influence other members of the audience, members of the TV audience, the press, and members of the city commission.”

Davidson added: “A public meeting is meant to be a forum for the expression of political opinions. It is not a classroom.”

The commission meets at 3 p.m. today in City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.