Woman handcuffed for speaking too long at city council meeting

Police handcuffed Riverside, California, city council critic Karen Wright, accused her of disrupting a public meeting and led her from the chambers after she spoke for too long and refused to sit down. Wright, 60, said she’s still shocked by what happened and doesn’t think she did anything wrong. City officials said officers used their discretion when Wright didn’t follow the rules.

The incident unfolded after Wright exceeded her allotted three minutes to speak at the lectern while commenting on a sludge hauling contract. One of two police officers who provide security at meetings was leading her away when she stopped. The situation then escalated. Council speakers regularly exceed the three-minute limit, but few, if any, have been handcuffed or arrested.

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Residents and an open-government advocate questioned the arrest, which led to a citation for a misdemeanor.After starting to leave the lectern with the officer, Wright turned back and told the council, “I would like you to quit the harassment with the police.” The officer tried to take her by the arm and get her to sit down or leave the chambers, but she pulled away, possibly trying to retrieve her bag from a nearby seat. Wright ended up on the floor in a sitting position, and Loveridge halted the meeting.

First one and then two other officers approached. They handcuffed Wright and tried to get her to stand while she shouted that she is disabled and couldn’t get up without using her hands. The handcuffs were removed, Wright got up and was led outside, where she said later she was taken to a police car and written a citation with a date to appear in court. Speakers,including Wright, are often warned by the mayor when they speak too long, but Mayor Ron Loveridge said he hasn’t seen someone handcuffed in the chambers during his 32 years in office.