Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Participation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public comment on Israel-Palestine tensions leads to multiple recesses and chamber clearing at Boulder council meeting
Summary
Public comment on Israel-Palestine prompted repeated disruptions, signs and outbursts during the March 20 Boulder City Council meeting; council cleared chambers, recessed the meeting several times and several council members condemned personal attacks and name-calling directed at Jewish council members.
Public comment at Boulder City Council’s March 20 meeting became disruptive when multiple speakers addressed the Israel-Palestine conflict with raised voices, signs and outbursts from the gallery, prompting the mayor to clear the chambers and call multiple recesses.
Over several rounds of public testimony, speakers criticized U.S. policy toward Israel and urged acts of solidarity with Palestinians; other speakers called for support for victims of the King Soopers shooting. The session included graphic descriptions and a visitor displaying imagery that staff said could not remain visible in the chamber. At least one speaker held a graphic image and another displayed signs above the head level after being asked to lower them; staff repeatedly warned gallery attendees about blocking aisles and obstructing views.
Meeting control staff cleared the chamber after repeated decorum violations; Mayor Aaron Brockett said the chambers were cleared because of repeated violations including speaking out of turn and holding signs that obstructed the gallery. The meeting recessed multiple times while staff restored order. After returning to session, Council member Mark Wallach publicly condemned personal attacks, saying "Nazis does nothing more than disgrace yourselves" when used as a slur and emphasizing that cursing and insults aimed at Jewish council members were unacceptable. Council members also expressed concern about the disruptions and thanked staff for managing the security and public-safety response.
Several speakers who testified urged council to take positions related to the conflict in the Middle East; council members noted that public comment is a venue for input but also reminded the public that council has limited authority on some foreign-policy matters. Council indicated it would not change its ability to receive public comment, while reaffirming rules of decorum and the need to protect participants’ safety.
