LYON COUNTY —An Emporia High School teacher arrested and carried out of a tense city council meeting on Wednesday in Emporia. Earlier in the month, the City of Emporia received two citizen initiative petitions: one proposing an ordinance prohibiting certain data centers and another proposing an ordinance prohibiting certain battery energy storage systems within the city limits.
During the course of the meeting that started at 11a.m. Wednesday, several individuals in attendance were issued verbal warnings by the City Commission regarding disruptive conduct that was interrupting the proceedings, according to a media release from police.
One individual identified as 37-year-old Lux Claridge, a science teacher at Emporia High School, continued this behavior, according to police. Claridge was directed to leave the meeting. Claridge did not comply with law enforcement's efforts to remove him from the premises, requiring officers to physically carry him out of the meeting.
Claridge was subsequently arrested and booked into the Lyon County Jail on requested charges of interference with law enforcement and disorderly conduct. Claridge met the requirement of bond and was released from jail on Wednesday evening, according to online jail records.
Emporia Police Department said they "remain committed to ensuring public meetings are conducted safely and in an orderly manner, while also respecting the rights of all citizens to participate in the civic process."