Man Escorted from Murrieta City Council Meeting for Clapping

A man who was asked to leave a Murrieta city council meeting said he plans to sue the city on civil rights violations.

Ernie White, a Republican organizer in Riverside County, attended the Tuesday, June 19 meeting with the purpose of speaking during a public comments session about the controversial red-light camera initiative.

Speakers are given three minutes to comment during city council or other public meetings, according to Murrieta municipal code.

White along with a handful of others took three their minutes each to urge city council members to take a stance in a in an effort to have the remove the initiative blocked from the November ballot.

When audience members began clapping in support of some of the speakers, Mayor Doug McAllister reiterated a city policy that audience members should raise their hands in support of speakers, not clap.

"They've been the rules we've had since this city started," McAllister said when asked by White if the rule was written any where.

When White allegedly continued clapping, a Murrieta police officer approached him and warned him if he did it again he would be asked to leave, Murrieta police Lt. Rob Firmes confirmed.

"He was asked to follow the mayor's instructions," Firmes said.

Firmes said White clapped again and "did get asked to leave."

Once escorted by an officer into the foyer of city hall, Firmes said White was cordial.

"(The officer) said he never had to put his hand on him," Firmes said.

In an email sent to media, White said: "I was removed after I gave a speech they did not like."

White contends the audience was allowed to clap when three retiring employees were recognized.

"I am going to clap since this rule is not in writing and since they have been clapping for their retirees and I am going to be escorted out of the room by a policeman. This occurs at 31:39," White wrote, referring to a video of the city council meeting that can be viewed here.

City officials, however, said the "no clapping" rule applies to the business portions of the meeting, such as public comments.

"It is a policy that has been in place since day one in Murrieta," McAllister said. "Once we get to the public comments, if someone doesn't know that I remind them."

As the current mayor, McAllister is the presiding officer of public meetings which includes moderating decorum.

A city council resolution approved Aug. 21, 2007 spells out removable offenses.

"Unauthorized remarks from the audience, stamping of feet, whistles, yells and similar disruptions shall not be permitted by the Presiding Officer, who may direct the sergeant-at-arms to remove such offenders from the room," the resolution states.

McAllister said the "no clapping" rule ensures the crowd does not get too loud, while also protecting speakers from "goading" should members in the audience not agree with comments of different opinions.

"The chambers as far as I am concerned are the people's chambers," McAllister said. "They can hold up their signs and whatever else they want to do...It is when the meeting is purposefully disrupted that I have to draw the line.

"This gentleman was asked politely on two occasions to abide by the tradition we've had in place since day one and then we had to escort him out."

Anyone who gets out of a hand at a public meeting is subject to be charged with a misdemeanor, according to Murrieta municipal code.

"Any member or other person using profane, vulgar, loud or boisterous language at any meeting or otherwise interrupting the proceedings, who refuses to be seated or keep quiet when ordered to do so by the mayor or other presiding officer of the council, is guilty of a misdemeanor," according to the code approved in 1991 when the city incorporated.

Murrieta police do not plan to charge White with a misdemeanor, according to Firmes.

"He was cooperative with the request to leave," Firmes told Patch.

White's political involvement includes being twice-elected to the Riverside County Republican Party Central Committee. He has also served as a campaign volunteer for Congressman Ken Calvert, R-Corona.

White does not serve for the Congressman in an official manner, said Rebecca Rudman, Calvert's press secretary.