Democracy attacked by violent protesters

There were disgraceful scenes at the Guildhall in Bath last night as a group of people attempted to derail a cabinet meeting.

In what had been billed as a ‘peaceful’ protest, around a couple hundred people gathered ostensibly to protest about a family-friendly cycle lane in Royal Victoria Park.

After the meeting started some tried to storm the building and others disrupted the public speakers trying to make their statements to the Cabinet by making loud noise outside the council chamber.

Cllr Kevin Guy said “I want to thank the staff who had to deal with this disruption and violence, and those members of the public who turned up to the meeting to express their views to the Cabinet. It is clear that the demonstration had little to do with expressing an opinion on a cycle lane in a park, and instead was a politicised attempt to subvert the democratic process via violence. We will take further advice from the police on any action to be taken against the organisers of this far from peaceful political protest. Perpetrators of violence aren’t welcome in our City, those who manipulate members of the public for their own political ends are pandering to populism, and their attempt to intimidate Cabinet members failed entirely.”

Amongst the placards were some for the Together Declaration, and personal attacks on elected members.

Cabinet continued with its business which included adopting a new Climate and Nature strategy, financial reports, a commitment to allotment reprovision in Combe Down and the announcement that the Guildhall market toilets are to be reopened.

UPDATE

Bath & North East Somerset Council has issued the following official statement:

“Bath & North East Somerset Council welcomes public engagement and peaceful protest. However, at last night’s cabinet meeting a number of people tried to break into the Guildhall, putting staff at physical risk. Our security team is to be commended for the way they handled the situation and we will review our procedures to ensure the continued safety of staff and members.”

UPDATE 2

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset, Clare Moody, has issued the following official statement:

"Peaceful protest is an important democratic right, and people must be able to make their voices heard.

"However, protest must not cross the line into behaviour that makes others feel unsafe or intimidated. Council staff and elected representatives have a right to feel safe and respected while carrying out their duties, and the incident at last night’s council meeting undermined that.

"We can disagree but that should not result in putting others at risk.”