Charleston City Council member Ross Appel called the public's behavior at a recent meeting "sickening." | Twitter @RossAppel
Charleston City Council member Ross Appel called the public's behavior at a recent meeting "sickening." | Twitter @RossAppel
A Charleston City Council meeting turned into a chaotic shouting match following a proposal to reinstate mask mandates in schools Tuesday night.
The shouting came from those in opposition to the proposal and became so intense that Mayor John Tecklenburg had to step in and make an attempt to calm the crowd.
Eventually, Charleston Police Chief Luther Reynolds had to step in to try and calm the group.
"I still cannot believe what happened last night. Disgusting, outrageous, sickening… Words fail. Thanks to the brave doctors and other medical professionals who had the courage to speak TRUTH last night. We hear you and respect you greatly!" said Charleston City Council member Ross Appel in a tweet.
In a video, medical professionals who were asked to speak on the health and safety benefits of reimplementing masks were verbally combatted by Charleston residents who opposed the proposed mandate, which under state law is prohibited under a budget proviso passed by the Legislature.
"I've never been more ashamed," City Council member Harry Griffin said.
The proposal, while failing to pass, would require schools within city limits to require masks during the upcoming school year, according to ABC News 4.
The meeting also covered a 500-page report from the city’s Special Commission on Equity, Inclusion, and Racial Conciliation that was also rejected.
The mask mandate failed the initial vote 3-10, as did the amended version 5-8, according to ABC News 4.
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