MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Chaos ensued at Memphis City Hall on Tuesday after the city council once again decided to delay the vote on a data center moratorium.
The vote has now been postponed to October 20.
Who voted to postpone?
Of the 13 city council members:
Seven voted “yes”:J. Ford CanaleChase CarlisleRhonda LoganPhilip SpinosaDr. Jeff WarrenJanika WhiteYolanda Cooper-SuttonFive voted “no”:Michalyn Easter-ThomasJerri GreenJB Smiley Jr.Pearl Eva WalkerJana Swearengen Washington
And Councilman Edmund Ford Sr. was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
Disturbance breaks out
More than 100 people showed up to hear the outcome on the proposed ordinance, and the decision to delay the vote led to a fight breaking out in the lobby and tense exchanges among city council members.
A fight between two women spilled into the lobby, with punches thrown while protesters chanted inside the meeting. One woman had her hair pulled and was slapped seconds later.
Memphis police were called to the disturbance at city hall, but a department spokesperson says no one was detained and no one was harmed.
It is still unclear what sparked the fight between civilians in the crowd. City council halted the meeting amid the turmoil.
“This is just a total hazard; we’ve basically been invaded by strangers, by people that have gotten paid, and they have not communicated with us in any way,” said Amber Lowe, a local community member. “This is hurtful, and I’m rethinking where I need to be living at.”
Council members clash
City council members were divided on the moratorium before they delayed the final decision again.
Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton was pulled out of the meeting after arguing with protesters.
“You could’ve came to see me like I asked you to… I ain’t no coward; you pipe down, baby, I clap back,” Cooper-Sutton said.
Before leaving, Cooper-Sutton directed comments at Councilman JB Smiley.
“That’s all he does; he brings up mess, he… that’s all you do, JB Smiley, confuse the people over, over, over and over! Anytime there is an election,” Cooper-Sutton said.
Chants fill the halls
Crowds chanted “this is our city” and “show me what democracy looks like” as the demonstration moved from the chamber into the halls of the building. Officers moved in to clear people from the chamber and the lobby where the fight occurred.
Protesters said they are not done pursuing the issue.
Councilman Smiley said the day did not have to unfold the way it did.
“When the community shows up, we just have to listen to them. I’m disappointed that we didn’t listen with ears, okay, I hear you, I understand. Let’s figure out how we can do what you want, but also what we believe would be in the best interest of the community,” Smiley said.
One of the women involved in the fight declined to comment when approached about the incident.
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