Hamilton city council pass motion to ban protesters ‘inciting violence’

Hamilton city council have passed a motion banning protesters who incite violence outside city hall.

Councillors met June 26 at the general issues committee meeting at city hall where they discussed Coun. Brad Clark’s motion to ‘gather evidence’ to determine if protesters like the anti-immigration Yellow Vest group spread hate or incite violence during demonstrations at City Hall.

The debate was shortly derailed by shouted accusations after Coun. Sam Merulla warned council and the media for giving ‘too much oxygen’ to a ‘small number of hateful morons’.

Merulla sparked an emotional response from audience members when he suggested that Pride violence and the after math was being used for political purposes.

The Councillor went on to link the Pride incident to the Locke St. anarchist riot.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger called for peace, but Merulla’s went on to say that ‘the truth hurts’ sparking a fresh round of screaming.

Yellow Vest members joined radical protesters during the Gage Park LGBTQ celebration on June 15.

The protest turned violent resulting in four arrests and have now the raised question on whether these protesters pose a threat.

If the motion is passed, Clark says the city can apply for a court injunction instead of banning the group to avoid legal challenges.