This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

A settlement agreement has been approved by council members in Castle Hills, Texas, and the vote brings to an end a years-long fight over the retaliatory arrest of a former councilwoman.

According to the Institute for Justice, the vote follows a landmark free speech victory at the Supreme Court by Sylvia Gonzalez in 2024.

That decision revived her First Amendment retaliation claim and sent the case back to federal district court. With this vote, the case is over and Sylvia's victory against the city is now final, explained the IJ.

"The council's vote closes one chapter for Castle Hills and opens a new chapter for free speech," said Anya Bidwell, senior attorney at the Institute for Justice who argued Sylvia's case before the Supreme Court. "The First Amendment doesn't come with handcuffs. This outcome sends a message to officials everywhere: if you retaliate against critics, you can be held to account."

The deal involves city payment of about a half a million dollars and also a commitment from officials to work with the Texas Municipal League to offer a statewide training on First Amendment retaliation.

Reportedly up to 1,100 cities will learn the lessons of the fight.

"It's been more than five years, and today I can finally breathe," Gonzalez said, in a statement. "I never wanted to end up in a Supreme Court fight, but I kept going because what happened to me shouldn't happen to anyone. Those who went after me have been held accountable. I didn't do this just for myself. I'm proud that this win will make it easier for ordinary people to stand up when officials try to punish them for speaking out."

The attacks on her began after she was elected the first Hispanic councilwoman and helped spearhead a citizen petition calling for the removal of the city manager.

During a heated council meeting, Sylvia was accused of briefly and inadvertently having the petition among her papers – an allegation the city used to orchestrate her arrest under a rarely used law.

Prosecutors dismissed the charge but not before the authorities confined her to jail for a day.

She then charged retaliation in her arrest – for her criticism of city officials.

The Supreme Court agreed.

"Now as always, retaliation by government officials is a clear threat to our constitutional rights," said Will Aronin, senior attorney at the Institute for Justice. "By sticking her neck out and fighting back, Sylvia paved the way for countless others to hold power to account. This settlement closes the chapter on her story, but it will live on as binding precedent—and as a testament to Sylvia's courage."