Justice in Kansas: Arrested for Clapping, Annoyingly

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

EMPORIA, Kan. (KWCH/Gray News) -- A 37-year-old teacher was released from a Kansas jail after posting bail following his arrest at a city meeting where zoning changes for a proposed data center project were passed. Lux Claridge, an Emporia High School physics teacher, was arrested for interference with law enforcement after clapping during the meeting. Commissioners warned those in attendance against disruptive behavior, including clapping, snapping or rude comments. Lux Claridge and several others clapped in support of speakers opposing the Flint Hills Digital Campus data center. After commissioners issued a final warning, Lux Claridge continued to clap, leading to his arrest.

Posted by Dbt2 at 02:23 PM | 10 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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"This isn't going to hold up in court. Lux is going to fight them on that. I'm looking at avenues to get these people recalled. This is insane to me," David Claridge said. +++ One community member at the meeting said the arrest has left residents uneasy.

"We are citizens of this community. We have a right to do our constitutionally-protected activities, which is exactly what they're violating at this time as well," the community member said. "I think we're all in a state of fear because of what this government's doing to us."

Comments

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Technically... he was arrested for not leaving when the city council ordered the police to remove him. He refused, telling the police if you want me to leave, you'll have to arrest me.

Which to no one's surprise the police were happy to do.

#1 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-07-28 02:27 PM | Reply

Maybe the cops could have handed out back-the-blue mittens.

#2 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2026-07-28 02:33 PM | Reply

Those buffoons didn't have to put the physics teacher on the floor and carry the poor guy out like garbage.

One of the cops administered a compliance lock on Lux Claridge's wrist. The lock would have sufficed.

"OK, Sir, please come with me now."

Why handcuff him?

Macho cops don't like to be disrepected, so there you go.

ACAB.

#3 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-07-28 03:04 PM | Reply

In a small KS town in decline? Ridiculous. Oh, almost forgot: And desperate. But why?

Bad boys, bad boys
What you gonna do?
What you gonna do when they come for you?
Bad boys, bad boys
What you gonna do?
What you gonna do when they come for you?

#4 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2026-07-28 03:12 PM | Reply

And what if there was a real assailant in the room?

Three cops left the assembly to eject a harmless teacher.

Poor tradecraft.

#5 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-07-28 03:19 PM | Reply

They should have tazed his ass......

www.youtube.com

#6 | Posted by eberly at 2026-07-28 03:26 PM | Reply

If it was snapping with towels, that would have been locker-room behavior and presumably OK. And highly amusing.

And takes more talent than tasing.

#7 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2026-07-28 04:01 PM | Reply

"arrested for interference with law enforcement"

Going limp, that's interfering?

Nothing gets the Fascists revved up quite like The State overpowering a helpless and defenseless individual who dares express non-conformity.

#8 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-07-28 04:08 PM | Reply

Going limp, like flashing your lights at an oncoming car to let them know of police presence, is interfering with an ongoing investigation or police activity.

#9 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2026-07-28 05:15 PM | Reply

In a Totalitarian Country.

Cops suck. People who Worship Law Enforcement, Suck More.

#10 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-07-28 06:02 PM | Reply