PORT WASHINGTON, Wis. — A Port Washington Common Council meeting erupted in chaos Tuesday night when a woman opposed to the approval of an $8 billion data center refused to leave during public comment, prompting the arrest of her and two other women.
RELATED: Port Washington approves $8 billion data center as residents raise power line concerns
The ordeal allegedly began after a 43-year-old woman began chanting toward the council, prompting others in attendance to shout as well, according to the Port Washington Police Department.
The woman, who had spoken during public comment earlier in the meeting, was eventually asked to leave by an officer — a request police say she refused.
Video posted to the Facebook page of Great Lakes Neighbors United, a nonprofit directly opposed to the data center, shows officers initially attempting to remove the woman, which quickly led to an outcry from other community members.
“Leave her alone! Stop touching her!” one attendee shouted in the video.
Watch: Port Washington council meeting erupts over data center project
During the attempt to remove the woman from the room, police say she went limp and refused to move — actions they say required officers to lift or drag her through the aisle toward the door.
Police say others in attendance also began shouting at officers and council members, including one woman they say hurled insults and used profanity, eventually leading officers to attempt to remove her.
She then, along with another woman, allegedly dropped to the ground and grabbed the first woman officers were attempting to remove. Police say this led to the three women being told they were under arrest.
Eventually, police say officers were able to handcuff the women and escort them out of the chambers.
All three women — ages 43, 52, and 55 — were arrested, issued municipal citations for disorderly conduct, and released, according to police. Two of the women were released from the scene, and the third from the police department after police say she initially refused to identify herself.
No injuries were reported during the incident, according to police.
The Common Council released the following statement regarding the incident:
“Throughout this process, Port Washington has taken significant steps to ensure that members of the public can attend and speak at meetings, including moving several recent meetings to a larger venue. Our goal is to create a secure environment with respectful public discourse where speakers are not disrupted or shouted down, regardless of their viewpoint. These expectations were made clear at the beginning of tonight’s meeting, as we have done before previous meetings. An attendee at tonight’s meeting was unwilling to meet these expectations, was asked several times to leave, and then was eventually removed after refusing to leave. Two other attendees were removed for additional actions that disrupted the meeting. After a brief break, public comments resumed and the meeting was completed as scheduled.”
Great Lakes Neighbors United also released a statement, calling for immediate action:
“Great Lakes Neighbors United is saddened and appalled by the events that transpired during the December 2nd Common Council meeting in Port Washington. One of our members exercised her First Amendment rights while taking her seat after a passionate speech, which the police appeared to take issue with. Contrary to what the city states, at no point did her comments interrupt the subsequent speaker, and she posed no threat to anyone's safety. She was treated with excessive force in a country where all citizens are supposed to have the right to voice their opinion without fear of reprisal by those sworn to protect us. The city and its officials have gone to great lengths to protect the free speech of Vantage, its representatives, and a few data center advocates. The data center project imposed on us by our common council, who have not heeded the community’s vocal opposition to this project, is damaging the city and its residents. Citizens now have to fear they may be arrested simply for expressing differing opinions than the city leaders. We are hopeful that in future Common Council meetings, our members as well as all members of the community will be treated with the dignity and respect we all deserve by the city officials and law enforcement.”
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
