ANY concerns over safety at town hall protests are “false” and “sow division and distract from genocide”, the protesters at BCP Council’s meeting said.
Representatives from The Collective Action Coalition were at last month’s full council meeting to protest against the authority’s stance on the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Describing themselves as anti-genocide activists, the group said those and others that attended demonstrated “peacefully” before the meeting.
“A small group also entered the town hall to disrupt the meeting from the public viewing gallery to highlight our collective disappointment in the UK's complicity in this genocide,” a spokesman for the group said.
“This group was made up of Palestinian, Jewish and white residents who stand shoulder to shoulder against genocide.”
As reported, the Conservative group has written to council chief executive Graham Farrant saying they were “intimidated” by the presence at the meeting, which had to be adjourned for 10 minutes while people were removed.
The spokesman added they stand “wholeheartedly behind peaceful protest and non-violent action” and have been receiving support from councillors.
“BCP Conservative councillors employed the same unsubstantiated 'safety' claims in November 2023, which were rebutted by multiple other councillors and independent observers,” the spokesman added.
Read more: Pro-Palestinian protestors march across Bournemouth
“It is interesting that these Conservative councillors have not raised concerns over other protest groups outside recent council meetings.
“The demonstration called out BCP Council for failing to release a single statement about the local veteran and aid worker from Poole, John Chapman, who was chased down by Israeli Occupation Forces and murdered.
“Our mission is always focused on peace and highlighting the ongoing genocide and illegal occupation of Palestine.
“Over two million Palestinians are displaced in Gaza, with half of all homes either partially or completely destroyed. Over 37,000 Palestinian civilians have been murdered by Israeli forces, including 15,000 children.”
Council and Lib Dem leader Vikki Slade said the concerns around safety at council meetings are not just limited to the Tories but all parties.
Meanwhile Green party leader Chris Rigby said his party believes in people taking “non-violent action”, adding the protests were “very attention grabbing”.
But Conservative leader Phil Broadhead said national and international politics should stay out of local council debates.
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