Mayor of Harvey, IL orders police to remove entire audience at City Council meeting for clapping

In a dramatic move, Harvey, IL Mayor Chris Clark ordered police to remove the entire audience from a City Council meeting for clapping. The incident occurred during public comments when Pastor Jonathan Johnson tore up his church’s business license in protest against a municipal ordinance. The mayor, backed by police, responded by clearing the room, citing disruptive conduct. This move has sparked significant criticism, with allegations of Clark leveraging police to silence dissent. The incident highlights ongoing tensions in Harvey, where strict control measures and increased police presence at public meetings are raising concerns about freedom of speech and civil liberties.