Activist Kip Billups was arrested at City Hall again on Tuesday night after refusing to leave a public meeting.
During Tuesday night's meeting of the Amarillo City Council, Mayor Ginger Nelson told Billups to leave the meeting after clapping during the public comment portion of the evening. Resident Mike Green had just told City Councilmembers that their prohibition on clapping violated state law, which drove Billups to clap following Green's remarks.
Mayor Ginger Nelson then told Billups that the City of Amarillo has a prohibition on clapping in public meetings, referring to the City Council meeting as a "business meeting." Nelson then told Billups that he could remove himself or follow the rules.
"Mr. Billups, you abide by our clapping polices...or to leave," Nelson told Billups.
After Billups refused to stand from his chair, Nelson asked Amarillo Police to escort the activist out of the City Council Chambers. Billups did not stand from his chair and officers lifted him from his chair and escorted him out of the room.
Billups was seen leaving City Hall in handcuffs, followed by Amarillo Police. Billups is charged with Disrupting a Meeting, according to the Potter County Jail roster.
We will update this story as information becomes available.
Photo by Susan Cooper Bailey