JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville City Council is expected to unveil a proposed rule Tuesday aimed at limiting disruptions and ensuring orderly conduct during public meetings.
The proposal follows a recent incident that led to three arrests and raised concerns about how to better manage tense moments in council chambers.
Council members plan to discuss the new rule in detail Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. Here’s an overview of the updated guidelines so far, according to the agenda:
- No campaigning for specific candidates during city elections.
- No loud or disruptive behavior, including yelling, chanting, clapping, singing, stomping, or using noisemakers.
- No waving signs, unless part of a speaker’s presentation. Signs must be small (21x21 inches or less) and should not block anyone’s view.
- No cellphone or device noise; all devices must be silenced before the meeting.
- No alcohol or drugs allowed in the chamber.
- No vulgar, offensive, or threatening language or gestures.
- Speak only when it’s your turn and stop when your time is up or if asked to stop due to disruptive behavior.
- Do not re-enter the meeting if you’ve been removed.
Residents have shared their thoughts on the proposed changes.
“If you disrupt a chamber, you should be removed immediately, and if the action is bad enough, you should be arrested,” said John Ray, a Jacksonville resident.
“I do believe that people should be able to express how they feel and what they believe, but shouting and yelling? No, I don’t believe that,” said Yvette Hawkins, another local resident.
The proposed rule stems from an incident on May 27, when three people were arrested during a Jacksonville City Council meeting after what police described as a disruption in the chamber.
Conor Cauley, 29, was charged with resisting arrest with violence, a third-degree felony, and a misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon (a pocket knife).
Two women are facing misdemeanor charges of resisting an officer without violence. News4JAX is not naming the women because of the nature of their charges.
In response to the arrests, the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance is holding a protest Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., calling for all of the charges to be dropped. The group is also demanding:
- Full rejection of Ordinance 2025-0138, which is a bill requiring the city to track how local, state, and federal funds are used—particularly for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and services for undocumented immigrants
- An end to arrests and repression of peaceful protesters.
In addition, the group will hold a news conference titled “Stop the Trump Stunts — Don’t Repress the People” in response to Florida’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
