Maskless Man Arrested At Chariho School Committee Meeting

RICHMOND, RI — A 37-year-old man was arrested Tuesday night after refusing to wear a mask during a Chariho School Committee meeting in Richmond.

Jeremy Palmer, of Richmond, was charged with disturbance of public assemblies. He was booked at the police station and released with a summons to appear in court, Richmond Police Chief Elwood M. Johnson Jr. told The Providence Journal.

Johnson said police had no choice but to arrest the man, and said both Gov. Dan McKee’s executive order and school district regulations required masks at the in-person meeting.

Live in Richmond? Click here to subscribe to our breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. You can also download our Patch mobile app on Android or iPhone.

Palmer arrived at the meeting around 6:15 p.m. and a detail officer told him about the mask mandate, but Palmer argued about it and left, according to Johnson. Cpl. Daniel Kelley arrived around 6:30 p.m. and Palmer returned just before 7 p.m. Palmer put on a mask that was provided for him, sat in the audience, and immediately pulled the mask down below his chin, according to Johnson.

Palmer then ignored a School Committee announcement about mask-wearing and refused to comply when Kelly asked him to choose: wear his mask, leave, or face arrest.

Palmer chose arrest, and stood calmly and placed his hands behind his back, Johnson said.