SPOKANE, Wash. — Dozens of Pro-Palestinian protestors crowded the Spokane City Council chambers to voice their opinion during the Monday meeting's open forum.
People were speaking out about their opinions regarding the council's resolution acknowledging Israel's right to exist and to defend itself.
The open forum was going as usual until speakers began addressing specific council members by name which is not allowed.
"It was getting to the point where almost every speaker was getting interrupted for violating the rules," Council member Zack Zappone said.
Zappone said there were multiple attempts to stop the interruptions during the meeting.
"When people were interrupting, talking over each other and shouting and chanting, and the audience, no one can be heard and no one can have it," Zappone said.
Once it became clear people weren't following the rules, interim city council president Lori Kinnear adjourned the meeting.
City council meeting rules published earlier this year say people must address the city council president during an open forum and not any other individual.
"I did not want to stop the meeting. I wanted us to keep going forward," Council member Jonathan Bingle said.
Bingle said he does not agree with the meeting rules and that people should have the right to speak up to their elected officials without limitations.
"Citizens have every right to show up to our meetings and speak to their governing body, to speak to anyone of else. I encourage that," Bingle said.
In a statement from Kinnear, she says quote,
"Legislative session is a space where council conducts legislative business in a transparent process that includes the public. It is essential that council hear testimony on items concerning city business. Council rules exist to ensure that testimony unfolds in a fair and orderly manner, and that the environment in council chambers encourages a full range of respectful discourse."
The agenda items the council did not discuss, will be moved to next Monday.
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