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,含羞草研究社� Mayor Brenda Locke said. Disruptions also happened Nov. 20, Dec. 18 and Jan. 15.

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

Locke cited the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

含羞草研究社淪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含羞草研究社檚 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,含羞草研究社� she said.

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

含羞草研究社淚t was pretty crazy,含羞草研究社� Coun. Linda Annis said. 含羞草研究社淲e went out the back way and they were out near the other entrances. They couldn含羞草研究社檛 get anywhere near us, they were locked outside. The whole City Hall was locked down.含羞草研究社�

含羞草研究社淭hey were very noisy, chanting a lot and calling out some of the councillors and the mayor,含羞草研究社� she said. 含羞草研究社淲e were perfectly safe. I just wonder when it含羞草研究社檚 going to stop, right?

含羞草研究社淛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.含羞草研究社�