Tense Cuyahoga County Council Meeting Explodes as Pastor Is Carried Out by Deputies and Arrested
CLEVELAND — A Cuyahoga County Council meeting turned chaotic Tuesday night after the Rev. Evan Regis Bunch was forcibly removed from council chambers by sheriff’s deputies and later arrested. His removal came after he loudly disrupted the Pledge of Allegiance and refused to leave, at one point sitting on the floor. He faces charges of disturbing a lawful meeting, obstructing official business, criminal trespass, and resisting arrest.
The meeting, already tense due to ongoing conflicts between Jewish and Palestinian community members, saw emotions flare as speakers addressed allegations of racist remarks from a previous council session. During the confrontation between Rev. Bunch and sheriff's deputies, a voice from the crowd can be heard shouting, "Racism is a public health crisis in Cuyahoga County! Racism is a public health crisis!" According to WKYC, attendees were divided, with some condemning what they called anti-Palestinian rhetoric, while others, including representatives from the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, denounced antisemitic comments made at prior meetings.
Council President Dale Miller had previously warned that disruptions could lead to removal and potential arrests. When Bunch interrupted the proceedings, Miller instructed deputies to take action. The Cleveland Jewish News (CJN) reported that Bunch had also been involved in previous disruptions, including an outburst during the Jan. 28 meeting. At that session, he allegedly directed a racial slur at the council’s four Black members, though he was not removed at the time.
Prior to Tuesday’s meeting, a group of demonstrators staged a protest in a nonpublic area of the Cuyahoga County Administration Building. Six individuals were escorted out without incident, and no arrests or citations were issued, according to CJN.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, who had previously criticized the council for failing to enforce decorum, renewed his calls for stricter measures. In a Feb. 5 letter obtained by The Washington Reporter, Moreno expressed his “deep concerns” about Miller’s leadership, accusing him of allowing “hateful harassment and disruption” to continue unchecked. He cited multiple violations of council rules and Ohio law, demanding answers from Miller on whether he believed his actions constituted willful neglect of duty.
Miller responded on Feb. 7, defending his approach to balancing free speech with maintaining order. “Respecting free speech is not always pretty,” he wrote, emphasizing that enforcement efforts would continue to evolve. He acknowledged the need to prevent disruptions during the Pledge of Allegiance and stated that while antisemitic or discriminatory remarks violate council decorum, not all comments qualify as hate speech under the First Amendment.
The debate over public conduct at council meetings has intensified since protests over the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023. The council implemented new rules in September 2024 limiting public comment to 30 randomly selected speakers. At Tuesday’s meeting, about half of the 30 public commenters thanked the council for investing in Israel Bonds, according to CJN.
Jewish Federation Vice President Marc Ashed told CJN that the organization had arranged transportation for about 50 Jewish community members to attend. “At the last meeting, there were some issues that really tried to intimidate Jewish Clevelanders from participating in the process, and so it was important to stand up and show we’re not going to cower in the face of intimidation,” he said.
Palestinian speakers at the meeting countered with their own experiences of discrimination. “We’re called beasts and savages, terrorists, barbarians, radicals, extremists, human shields, jihadists, and even a mob,” said Ann Ghazy, one of the attendees.
Rabbi Sharon Marcus of Park Synagogue urged the community to seek common ground. “It’s very hard. It’s going to take a lot of negotiating, a lot of trust, which right now has been broken,” she said.
Dr. Shereen Naser, another speaker, emphasized the importance of change. “We are not settling anymore for business as usual. Palestinians deserve a right to life, to live and thrive, and to sovereignty.”
Bunch was booked at the Cuyahoga County Corrections Center following his arrest. One deputy sustained a hand injury while escorting him out and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The next Cuyahoga County Council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. in downtown Cleveland and will be livestreamed.
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