Gaza protests halt all in-person public access to Surrey council meetings

Protesters calling on city councillors in Surrey to ask for a ceasefire in Gaza have triggered a series of security changes that include the temporary end of all in-person attendance at council meetings by the public.

Mayor Brenda Locke told Monday’s council meeting that the decision to restrict public access had been made because of security concerns about protests that have been disrupting meetings since December, by demonstrators she said had “occupied” council chambers.

“Reluctantly, we have had to take this step to move the public outside of the gallery in order to ensure the business of the city continues,” she said.

Council passed a motion on Monday to allow the public to attend and participate in meetings electronically, starting at the next meeting, on April 8.

Locke told the meeting that registered members of the public could speak on items on the agenda, and additional safety measures had been put in place, including a police presence.

She said all council members respect the right to protest, but that does not extend to “blockading lawful activities.”

Coun. Linda Annis said the protests began late last year. She said the mayor later read a statement saying there was no room for Islamophobia and antisemitism anywhere in the world.

“That was not well received by protesters. They were looking for her to make a statement to ask for a ceasefire,” Annis said Tuesday.

“At a couple of meetings we had to move from the council chambers into another room because the protesters had actually taken over the council chambers.”

Annis said this type of disruption had become commonplace.

She said she didn’t know how long in-person attendance would be halted.