News / City Hall
City Hall ramps up security in first meeting since protesters banned
Security measures at City Hall had been ramped up for the first full council meeting of 2024.
A new sign-in system has been introduced, with more security guards in the public gallery, security guards at the door to the building, and more security guards carrying out bag checks.
At bag check, members of the public were asked whether they had any placards and banners, and were given visitor pass stickers to wear during the meeting.
is needed now More than ever
The move follows the banning of four members of housing union, Acorn, from City Hall meetings for six months following disruption which saw a number of meetings paused and delayed.
But the security hasn’t seemed to stop disruption at full council. The first meeting of 2024 on Tuesday was adjourned less than an hour after it began, after pro-Palestine protesters disrupted a debate on the Israel Gaza ceasefire motion.
Zoe Goodman, who dramatically resigned from Bristol Labour in December, brought the petition to Tuesday’s meeting.
The Filwood Ward councillor was met with support from pro-Palestine supporters in the public gallery, including one ex-Bristol uni professor who was stripped of her title in December after saying a Jewish Labour Movement conference should be “blown up”.
But protesters heckled Labour councillor Tom Renhard as he responded to the petition on behalf of Bristol Labour, and continued to do so when Bristol Conservative leader Mark Weston responded to the debate.
Lord mayor Paul Goggin, who had returned to the chamber after a bout of illness, repeatedly asked Palestine protesters to allow councillors to speak, and his pleas were echoed by members of the public in the gallery.
After protesters continued to heckle councillors, including the mayor, to whom they repeatedly shouted “Shame on you”, protesters were removed from the gallery and the meeting was adjourned.
Two police were also in attendance at full council, and addressed pro-Palestine protesters outside the council chamber, asking them to leave and mentioning public order offences.
Main photo: Rob Browne
Read next:
- Acorn members who disrupted meeting banned from City Hall
- Angry scenes in City Hall as protesters confront mayor
- Thousands demand council calls for ceasefire in Israel Gaza war
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