Members of Defund HPS arrested for refusing to leave Hamilton city hall

Hamilton Police have arrested and charged 18 members of the group Defund HPS for refusing to leave city hall after hours.

The group had been protesting at the city hall forecourt since Nov. 23. They’re calling for the city to reinvest half of Hamilton Police’s $171 million budget to housing.

The protest was dismantled a week later.

On Tuesday, the group staged a sit-in inside city hall. They wanted a public meeting with Mayor Fred Eisenberger to discuss reallocation of police funds to housing.

The mayor and city manager sent a letter to the group offering to meet privately with two representatives from the group.

Defund HPS say the conversation must be public to ensure accountability.

In a video posted to social media, police officers can be seen telling people they are under arrest for trespassing, issuing them tickets and leading them off the property one at a time.

Police say they were charged under the Trespass to Property Act.

In a news release, Hamilton Police say they respect the right to lawful and peaceful protest.