A woman wearing a face veil was escorted from a Pinellas County commissioners meeting Wednesday after playing a recording of the Islamic call to prayer during the public comment period. The incident occurred as the board was hearing resident statements.
The woman, whose face was covered except for her left eye, approached the podium and activated an audio recording. The call to prayer played for nearly a minute before Board Chairman Dave Eggers interrupted, citing county rules that require public speakers to provide verbal comments rather than play recordings.
"Ma’am, you’re going to have to stop … stop the music, stop the tape," Eggers stated. When the woman did not comply, a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputy escorted her from the meeting room and the building. She will not face criminal charges, according to the sheriff’s office.
Eggers later clarified to the audience that "taped things" are not permitted and that speakers are expected to offer comments directly, not through recordings. The board chairman emphasized the importance of decorum and kindness during the meeting.
The woman's removal prompted some friction among audience members, with some shouting and arguing with Eggers following the decision. The exact reason for the woman's action, whether a protest or a prank, was not immediately clear.