CHAOS AT THE CIVIC
Jewish councillor says he was ‘silenced’ by protesters
Anti-Semitism storm erupts at meeting Palestinian flags unfurled in protest 72-year-old woman arrested Security guards evict protesters from council chamber
Because of the desire of some extremists to hijack a protest, ordinary members of the public were unable to watch Oskar Avery
LABOUR’S anti-Semitism storm erupted in Newcastle as a Jewish councillor was “screamed at” by protesters who stormed the council chamber.
A 72-year-old woman was arrested after protesters disrupted a meeting of the city council at the Civic Centre on Wednesday night.
It was claimed that one member of the Civic Centre’s security staff was put into a headlock by the demonstrators, while one man had to be dragged away by security after breaking into the council chamber.
Blakelaw councillor Oskar Avery says he was one of numerous targets of the abuse hurled from the public gallery. The Labour councillor said he was seated next to a mother with a newborn child who was also shouted at, leaving him “utterly baffled” at what the campaigners were trying to achieve.
Speaking to anti-semitism campaigner Gary Spedding after the council meeting had concluded, Coun Avery described what happened as “a very surreal experience”.
The chaotic scenes erupted when protesters stormed the chamber during a debate about the council adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism.
The protest – led by the Fight Racism Fight Imperialism group – was opposing Newcastle City Council’s adoption of the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, which they claimed would “criminalise solidarity with Palestine in Newcastle”.
After Lib Dem opposition deputy leader Nick Cott raised the motion to adopt the definition, protesters in the public gallery above began chanting, unfurled Palestinian flags, and shouted abuse at councillors.
As councillors left the room, one man broke into the main council chamber and was dragged away by security as Lord Mayor David Down tried to calm the protesters down.
Coun Avery said: “I, as you can see, wear a skull cap and I was screamed at. I don’t think I was singled out they were screaming at everyone. There was a lady next to me who has a newborn infant and they screamed at her, they screamed at all of us. They refused to leave the gallery and required the calling of the police.
“The Lord Mayor tried to go up and reason with them and they said nothing.
“It was a very surreal experience. They had to be removed by police.
“Because of the desire of some extremists to hijack a protest, ordinary members of the public were unable to watch, maybe a dozen or so members of the public had to leave because of this protest, a tiny infant was screamed at, ordinary people were made to feel unsafe.
“The basic process of democracy was disrupted and as a consequence of the disruption of the meeting, I – a Jewish councillor – was literally denied the chance to speak because we overran.
“So I’ve been silenced, people have been intimidated and I remain utterly baffled as to what supposed difference this has made to anyone in East Jerusalem, An Najada or Hebron – any of the people who these people supposedly care about, how their lives have in any way been remotely affected by the decision of these people to engage in an absolutely ridiculous protest.”
A police spokesperson said yesterday: “Police were aware of a planned protest taking outside the Civic Centre last night.
“The protest in question passed without incident and the majority of the group left the area.
“However, later that evening a small number of protesters entered the council chamber and disrupted proceedings.
“A 72-year-old woman was arrested for breach of peace but has since been released from custody.”
Council leader Nick Forbes labelled the protesters “clowns” who “don’t do anything to further the cause of the Palestinians”.
Coun Forbes had told the chamber that adopting the IHRA motion would “show we understand the upset and hurt that many people in our Jewish communities feel”.
Following a suspension of around 25 minutes, councillors unanimously voted to approve the motion adopting the IHRA definition.