In the fallout of the Oct. 6 Memphis City Council meeting that was recessed quite abruptly due to extended protests, members of the public can expect new protocol for what can be brought to meetings and how to act starting Oct. 20.
Members of the public must enter City Hall through the front doors on Main Street, where a clear bag policy will now be enforced in addition to usual security screenings. Only clear bags no larger than 6 by 8 by 2 inches will be allowed into the building.
Council representatives also reminded constituents in an Oct. 19 email that bullhorns, megaphones, noisemakers, signs larger than 11 by 17 inches, or other dangerous items are prohibited.
For those who wish to give public comment, "threatening behavior" and "disruptive
outbursts" are not allowed. But the email reiterated that public participation is welcome.
It is unclear if new protocol is temporary or here to stay.
City Council to implement additional security measures
A new system of "enhanced security measures" will be implemented at City Hall Oct. 20, according to a notice filed by the City Council's legal team in federal court Oct. 19.
The security plan outlines new policies for councilmembers, city staff and members of the public, including increased presence of the Memphis Police Department, Phelps Security and the city's contracted security team.
During committee meetings, which will start at 9 a.m. on Oct. 20, members of the public can expect increased security coverage of the usually calm proceedings, where constituents have approached and talked casually to Council members in the past. Starting Oct. 20, members of the public will not be allowed to informally approach the dais or Council members without explicit permission from the Council or security personnel.
Council members are expected to use separate entrances and stay behind the gated dais, rather than interacting with attendees. An emergency evacuation plan to safely remove Council members from a threatening situation is also outlined in the new policy.
Security team members will also be conducting inspections of the committee room and Council chambers ahead of meetings, and controlling access to the spaces, per the filing. Designated overflow areas will be available if chambers reach capacity.
The podium used by speakers giving public comment will also be relocated from the floor of the main chamber to an area behind the gated dais. Speakers will now face the crowd, rather than the Council. And adding to the Council's usual decorum rules, anyone ordered to leave the meeting for disruptive behavior will be barred from returning during the rest of the meeting. The security briefing doesn't outline any changes to the public comment protocol, though.
Moving forward, access to Council members' offices will also be restricted. Constituent visits must be coordinated in advance — people without appointments will no longer be permitted to visit their representatives unannounced.
Community members banned from upcoming meetings
Seven people were issued ban orders from attending upcoming Memphis City Council meetings in the wake of the Oct. 6 meeting.
Though several have since sued to lift the bans, a federal court judge has not yet ruled, as of publication.
Annie Goldman covers government for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at annie.goldman@commercialappeal.com or 901-930-7431, and followed on X @AnnieSGoldman.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis City Council has new safety measures after data center protest
