Speaker is arrested at Hamilton East Public Library board meeting
Six police officers removed a man from the Fishers branch of the Hamilton East Public Library in handcuffs last week.
The man, a Franklin resident who has worked and lived in Hamilton County, was arrested on a criminal trespass charge after the library's board members asked him to be removed for disrupting a meeting July 27.
When he refused officers' request to leave, they placed him under arrest.
The Fishers Police Department confirmed Monday that he was transported to the Hamilton County Jail following his arrest. IndyStar doesn't typically name private citizens charged with misdemeanor offenses.
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His court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 3, the man told IndyStar.
The Hamilton East Public Library board normally meets in the evening on the fourth Thursday of each month. Many public bodies meet after regular work hours to make attendance easier for citizens.
Board members decided to meet at 3 p.m. last month at the suggestion of the board’s legal team, so that they might have a “calm” meeting after previous interruptions, board President Laura Alerding said. The other reason was a board member had a conflict, she said.
The man, who was the first speaker in the public comment period at the meeting's end, raised his voice as he took issue with the board policy to move "inappropriate" books from the teen section. He also brought up the board moving its meeting time.
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"Change the meeting to anytime you want," the man said. "We will be here."
He returned to his seat and threw his books to the ground. Alerding then called for him to be removed for "yelling" and his behavior. Fishers police asked him to leave and he refused.
Alerding cited "constant disruptions" when she ended the meeting before any remaining public speakers could talk. After the meeting, she said the board always lets everyone speak who signs up but members have business to do.
Rachel Fradette is a suburban education reporter at IndyStar. Contact her at rfradette@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter at @Rachel_Fradette.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Hamilton East Public Library: Board has disruptive speaker arrested
