Okeechobee County Commissioners upheld the right to Freedom of Speech as they accepted public comment at the Feb. 27 meeting of the Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners.
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OKEECHOBEE — Okeechobee County Commissioners upheld the right to Freedom of Speech as they accepted public comment at the Feb. 27 meeting of the Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners.
As happened at the last county commission meeting, a group from outside the Okeechobee community appeared for the public comment period, complaining about the arrest and treatment of Warren Sapp by Okeechobee County Sheriff’s deputies following a 2024 traffic stop.
The State Attorney's Office later dropped the charge. Sapp has threatened to sue Sheriff Noel Stephen for wrongful arrest.
Four commissioners sat stone-faced and silent as they allowed each speaker 3 minutes for public comment. (Commissioner Terry Burroughs was absent.) When the 3-minute clock ran out, Commission Chair David Hazellief simply said, “thank you,” and called for the next speaker.
Five speakers, who filmed themselves as they gave their public comments, appeared to be frustrated by the commissioners’ complete lack of reaction or response.
One referred to the commission chair as “David Hasselhoff.” Another man stood on the side of the room snapping his fingers trying to get the commissioners’ attention.
The commissioners did not take the bait. Two deputies present in the meeting room also stood silently and did not respond.
“ I believe in everything that God has to offer for this country,” said Scott Morrow. “You all swore an oath to the constitution of the United States.
“Martin Luther had a dream, that means at some point he was asleep,” he continued. He added the country needs to wake up.
“I can’t judge everybody on what I hear. I have to go by what I experience,” he added.
Another man introduced himself as Rev. Hippie, and added that his church is not Christian, but philosophical.
“I came here to support my friend Warren Sapp,” he said.
“You all are public servants,” he said. “We the people are your masters.
“What happened to Warren Sapp was awful,” he continued.
He added that he will go on a hunger strike until Sheriff Noel Stephen is out of office.
