The public comment period at the Feb. 13 meeting of the Okeechobee County Commission turned combative when County Commission Chair David Hazellief asked a speaker to remove his hat.

A group of individuals from out of the county, who said they had driven up to 3 hours to attend the meeting, were present to comment on the 2024 arrest of Warren Sapp.

Sapp was arrested in February 2024 during a traffic stop and charged with obstruction without violence. He was not the driver, but was arrested following a verbal exchange with deputies. He was detained at the Okeechobee County Jail for about three hours before being released on bond. The State Attorney’s Office later dropped the charge.

In January, Sapp announced he would file suit against the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office.

In the notice of intent to sue sent to the Okeechobee County Sherrif’s Office, Sapp’s lawyer claims his client was illegally detained by Okeechobee County Sheriff's Department because of "his race, the officers’ overinflated ego and the sheriffs' lack of knowledge of the law, constitution and their civic duty.”

Before opening the public comment period at the commission meeting, Hazellief reminded the audience that public comment is limited to 3 minutes per speaker, that speakers are asked to give their names and addresses, that speakers must not use profanity, and they must remove their hats.

The speakers refused to abide by those rules, citing Freedom of Speech.

“This city is already on the hook for some civil rights violations,” said the first speaker. “You’re the last ones to start poking at people’s attire.”

Michael Taylor of Port St. Lucie, one of the few speakers to give his name, approached the speaker stand wearing a hat.

When Hazellief asked him to remove his hat, an argument ensued, with members of the audience joining in. After a few minutes, Hazellief recessed the meeting and the commissioners left the room.

While the meeting was in recess, the protestors continued to make comments about the sheriff and the county commission.

“It was never about the money,” said Sapp, who stood in the back of the room. He said he wants an apology. “Your sheriff went buck wild on me,” he said.

After a few minutes, the commissioners returned to the meeting room and restarted the meeting.

“We agree with everyone’s right to free speech,” said Commissioner Brad Goodbread.

 “The reason we are here is Hall of Famer Warren Sapp was arrested for having the nerve to speak,” said another speaker. “We shouldn’t be locked in cages like animals because your feelings got hurt.

“Imagine your mother or your daughter says something that hurts a cop’s feelings.”

The speakers continued to use profanity, despite Hazellief’s protests.

“We have ladies present!” objected the commission chair.

 “Whenever somebody gets a little bit of power this is what happens,” said Taylor. “You have a sheriff that has a little bit of power and tells a Hall of Famer that it was his fault. It’s not about the money. It’s not about the $20 million. It’s about the accountability.

“We’re trying to address your sheriff, but he is hiding from us,” said Taylor.

Another speaker said he drove from two hours away. He said Sapp’s arrest is part of a larger problem.

“The same crap is going on in every town across the nation,” he said.

Another man, who said he lives locally, did take his hat off. He said he would not give his name because he is afraid of retaliation.

“You didn’t walk on the dude’s rights. You stomped on them and wiped your feet,” he said. He said the sheriff stomped on Sapp’s rights.

Citing Freedom of Speech, the protestors continued to use profanity in their comments. Many of the protestors were filming the meeting with their phones.

“All these guys with cameras, almost every one of them has been arrested for free speech,” one pointed out. “It goes on all over the country.”

Following the meeting, the protestors gathered outside the meeting room and continued to film. One made a show of stomping on the "back the blue" flag which is  used to show support of law enforcement.

The entire meeting video is online on the Okeechobee County Government website.

Warren Sapp says he’s suing OCSO after wrongful arrest  | South Central Florida Life

Sapp arrest report lists charge as 'Obstruction without violence' | South Central Florida Life