Inner West Council: Police called, meeting abandoned after pro-Palestine protesters swarmed council

A council meeting in Sydney’s Inner West had to be abandoned and police called, after pro-Palestinian protesters swarmed the council chamber screaming at elected representatives about the war in Gaza.

A council meeting in Sydney’s Inner West had to be abandoned and police called, after pro-Palestinian protesters swarmed the council chamber screaming at elected representatives about the war in Gaza.

In extraordinary scenes of local political unrest, activists “roamed” the council building to protest the Inner West Council’s procurement policies.

Protesters outside the Inner West Council meeting at Ashfield.

Protesters overran the chamber when the motion went to a vote on Tuesday night, with the debacle streamed live on YouTube.

Vision of the livestream froze when the Green-linked “Inner West 4 Palestine” group forced the meeting to be abandoned, but protesters could be heard screaming at Labor councillors.

The fracas began when Greens councillor Dylan Griffiths moved a motion calling on the council to stop “purchasing from companies involved in the weapons industry,” or companies “which are complicit in or profiting from human rights violations in Gaza”.

Councillors escorted out of the meeting by police.

Photo from inside the council chamber. Picture: Socialist Alliance Sydney Council Election 2024/Facebook

Mayor Darcy Byrne said protesters screamed at elected representatives. Picture: Gaye Gerard

After the motion was voted down by Labor councillors, protesters started yelling at councillors claiming their “conscious is covered in the blood of Palestinians”.

“Shame on Labor, shame you’ve made your decision and we’ll see you at the election. You’re not getting back in,” one protester said.

“What a f--king joke, what about the safety of Palestinians. Get out, we don’t want you anymore.”

Mayor Darcy Byrne said members of the group roamed through the council chamber screaming at councillors and staff.

“Each time we tried to restart the meeting they yelled more aggressively at councillors until we were forced to abandon the meeting and retreat out of the room due to the threat to safety,” he said.

He said police were called and councillors were prevented from leaving the building until about 11.30pm for their own safety.

Police were then forced to escort councillors to their cars.

Councillors John Stamolis said he understands where the tension is coming from

On Wednesday, Inner West Councillor John Stamolis told the Daily Telegraph that this was an issue of global concern and that he understood where the protesters frustrations comes from.

“I’m one of these councillors that believe we have scope to both cover local issues and a broad range of international issues,” he said

“The crowds reaction comes from a place of passion, emotion, history and current events all coming together here and I understand that.”

The council meeting had to be abandoned after pro-Palestinian protesters swarmed the council chamber screaming at elected representatives about the war in Gaza.

“It was a big turn out but to say the environment was unsafe, I didn't get that feeling but I cant speak for other councillors.”

Inner West Greens councillor Dylan Griffiths, who put forward the motion, said that the council “failed to show solidarity with Palestine” and believes Labor councillors played up the behaviour of the public gallery.

“No one was prevented from leaving, members of the public dispersed themselves, he said.

“I understand at least seven councillors left immediately after the mayor ended the meeting.

“This is a distraction from the fact that local Labor was unable to bring themselves to support a motion that sought to embed a focus on human rights.

“Inner West 4 Palestine held a rally of 300 people outside the council chambers and roughly 200 local residents attended the council meeting.

“I am disappointed that the council would not amend its policy.”

NSW Police said they were called to the council following reports of a group causing a disturbance outside. NSW Police confirmed no arrests were made and the group had left prior to officers arriving.

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