A B.C. city council moved out of its regular chambers to conduct business and had police stationed in the parking lot this week after pro-Palestine protesters disrupted activities for the fourth time in recent months.

Surrey council convened in a different room than chambers for its Monday night meeting, on account of pro-Palestine protesters occupying council chambers,害羞草研究所� Mayor Brenda Locke said. Disruptions also happened Nov. 20, Dec. 18 and Jan. 15.

害羞草研究所淚n fact, we have had to take various safety measures including increasing security and police presence to safeguard visitors and staff,害羞草研究所� Locke said. 害羞草研究所淭he right to peaceful assembly does not extend to blockading lawful activities.害羞草研究所�

Locke cited the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

害羞草研究所淪urrey council meetings have been regularly disrupted and the actions of the protesters are disrupting the right of the public to attend and speak on items from the meeting害羞草研究所檚 agenda, so 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,害羞草研究所� she said.

Police officers were in the parkade at the end of the meeting to ensure council members could safely leave City Hall.

害羞草研究所淚t was pretty crazy,害羞草研究所� Coun. Linda Annis said. 害羞草研究所淲e went out the back way and they were out near the other entrances. They couldn害羞草研究所檛 get anywhere near us, they were locked outside. The whole City Hall was locked down.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淭hey were very noisy, chanting a lot and calling out some of the councillors and the mayor,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淲e were perfectly safe. I just wonder when it害羞草研究所檚 going to stop, right?

害羞草研究所淛ust very, very unfortunate because them protesting, which of course they have every right to do, but people that wanted to come in and speak I think were fearful to come to City Hall.害羞草研究所�