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,sa国际传媒� Mayor Brenda Locke said. Disruptions also happened Nov. 20, Dec. 18 and Jan. 15.

sa国际传媒淚n fact, we have had to take various safety measures including increasing security and police presence to safeguard visitors and staff,sa国际传媒� Locke said. sa国际传媒淭he right to peaceful assembly does not extend to blockading lawful activities.sa国际传媒�

Locke cited the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

sa国际传媒淪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 meetingsa国际传媒檚 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,sa国际传媒� she said.

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

sa国际传媒淚t was pretty crazy,sa国际传媒� Coun. Linda Annis said. sa国际传媒淲e went out the back way and they were out near the other entrances. They couldnsa国际传媒檛 get anywhere near us, they were locked outside. The whole City Hall was locked down.sa国际传媒�

sa国际传媒淭hey were very noisy, chanting a lot and calling out some of the councillors and the mayor,sa国际传媒� she said. sa国际传媒淲e were perfectly safe. I just wonder when itsa国际传媒檚 going to stop, right?

sa国际传媒淛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.sa国际传媒�