(AP) — A civil liberties group is warning officials in a small northeast Nebraska city against censuring a resident who has been critical of their actions.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska has sent a letter to Creighton City Attorney Andrew Marshall after city officials in November ordered Mike Nutting to stop writing letters to the editor of a local newspaper criticizing them. The City Council also instructed Nutting to submit a written apology.

When Nutting refused and wrote yet another letter critical of city officials, the City Council began the process of considering legal action against him.

The ACLU says that violates Nutting’s First Amendment right to criticize the government. The ACLU also warned that if the city presses charges against Nutting, it will defend him in court.