RED HILL VALLEY - SPRING 2004 - MEDIA click here for news from the winter of 2003/04
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'Theatre of the absurd' at city hall
Jeering throng takes over council chambers, ignoring Di Ianni's pleas
By Chinta Puxley, The Hamilton Spectator, Thursday, April 15, 2004Demonstrators demanding more say in budgets and an end to the Red Hill Creek Expressway occupied Hamilton's council chambers last night.
The mixed bag of about 100 protesters took over the chambers, jeered local politicians and disrupted the council meeting for about an hour before reluctantly leaving under the watchful eye of police.
Making speeches, dancing and pounding drums, they ignored the pleas of Mayor Larry Di Ianni and councillors to leave the room. Not even the arrival of police and the forcible removal of several of their colleagues moved them.
It wasn't until Native and Red Hill protester Roger La Forme said they'd made their point that they made their way out.
"People are upset," La Forme said. "We are trying to make a point. We feel many things are not being handled right by the mayor's office. I don't think violence or jail terms would prove anything more than has already been proven tonight."
Di Ianni didn't think the protest proved anything.
"This is a theatre of the absurd," he said, as he surveyed protesters from his podium. "The sad part is they came here to champion democracy when they are preventing democracy from unfolding. We are being very patient but we can't allow anarchy to rule."
The protest began with about 250 people gathered outside to "take back city hall."
They called on council to stop construction of the Red Hill expressway, keep the city's water system public and address poverty.
About 100 of them came inside, sat through last night's council meeting and, just as the public portion was to wrap up, moved down to the floor and started a sit-in while chanting "Budget for people, not for profit."
The city is now reviewing security after staff discovered several large rocks under one of the seats in the council chamber.
Di Ianni says the city can allow healthy debate but won't tolerate "people bringing in weapons."
People played drums and danced as councillors, city staff and Di Ianni left the chambers. Di Ianni later returned and pleaded with people to leave.
Activist Ken Stone said people want their city hall back.
"That means building more affordable housing. That means stopping the expressway. That means revitalizing the downtown. That means increasing commercial taxes," he said. "What have we got to lose by being here? Who paid for this place? We did."
The rally was a culmination of many different issues. Some were there to demonstrate support to keep Hamilton's water system public. Others argued for a reinvestment in social services like affordable housing and public transit. Still others were protesting construction of the Red Hill Expressway.
Councillors who had been supportive of the earlier rally, like Andrea Horwath, left the council chamber after police arrived, given the volatility of the situation.
Councillor David Mitchell said interested citizens can sign up as delegations to council committees and make their point that way.