Protesters take over Hamilton committee meeting, demanding councillors reject police budget

A crowd of nearly 100 protesters overtook a Hamilton committee meeting Monday night, demanding councillors vote against a proposed $12-million police budget increase.

Following several hours of public delegations about the budget, a demonstration turned into a stand off when protesters said they wouldn't leave until all 10 councillors around the table told them if they'll vote down the budget ask.

Most councillors refused to answer and Ward 9 Coun. Brad Clark, who was serving as general issues committee chair, said he was putting the meeting on hold until protesters left the room.

The crowd chanted councillors' names and the words "shut it down," and made speeches about how the money would be better spent on community services.

"We've got all night," yelled one person. "This is going to be awkward." 

After about an hour, Clark declared the meeting over before some delegates had the chance to speak.

"I don't have an answer now," said Coun. Mark Tadeson told protesters on his way out. "But I heard what you had to say and I think the delegates made a good case."

The protesters dispersed peacefully.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mayor Andrea Horwath said she understands that many individuals in Hamilton are passionate about the budget, including the police budget.

"However, disrupting a peaceful discussion, shouting people down, and refusing to listen to one another cannot replace respectful dialogue," Horwath said in the statement.

Council and committee meetings are open to members of the public.

"When a situation arises in council chambers that does not appear to be calming down, council is advised to leave in order to avoid further escalation," said Horwarth, who had attended Monday's meeting virtually. 

On Twitter Tuesday, Coun. Maureen Wilson described protesters's actions as an "unacceptable attempt to bully" councillors and an "undemocratic act" that resulted in several delegates not getting a chance to speak.

Police requesting $196 million

Earlier Monday evening, about a dozen had delegates had urged the committee to vote against the police budget increase of about 6.71 per cent and instead use the money to improve housing, address the opioid crisis and boost other social services.

"It's inhumane that while some members of our community don't have access to basic human rights like housing that we're entertaining such a dramatic increase in the police budget," Hamilton resident Dania Igdoura told councillors.

Hamilton police are requesting a total of $196 million for operating and capital costs over the next year.

At city council last month, police Chief Frank Bergen said all proposed expenses were necessary and the city would lose 19 full-time officers for every one per cent budget cut. 

Meanwhile, officers face increasing workloads, serving a growing population, said Bergen. 

'They have enough'

Delegate Emily Scherzinger sees it differently. She lives with a disability in downtown east Hamilton, close to where Marcus Charles was Tasered by police last October, after he reportedly suffered a seizure.

She said she's scared that her husband, who lives with epilepsy and had seizures in public, will have a similar encounter with police. She asked councillors to not approve the police budget increase and instead put the money towards social services.

"They have enough," Scherzinger said. "And they've demonstrated what they do with this money is hurt constituents as well as escalate situations that need to be met with compassion and care and medical knowledge." 

Other delegates highlighted recent examples of police officers who've been criminally charged for alleged misconduct on the job. For example, Const. Brian Wren was charged with assault after Patrick Tomchuk was violently arrested last May.

At a January committee meeting, some councillors asked staff what would happen if they rejected the police budget increase. Mike Zegarac, the city's head of finance, said police could either submit a new budget or appeal the city's decision to the Ontario Civilian Police Commission.

Hamilton has never rejected a police budget and no municipality has won an appeal, according to staff.

Coun. Nrinder Nann clarified later Monday night on Twitter that she nodded in response to some of the protesters' comments.

"I am very concerned about the HPS budget ask and cannot support it," she said. 

Coun. Cameron Kroetsch made a similar comment following the meeting.

"I nodded in response to the question that was asked of me the first time... and then I nodded again to "Will you vote down the police budget increase?" I've been very public about my position on the subject."

The general issues committee is meeting Tuesday to hear from staff about the budget. The process will continue into March with a budget approval date set for March 29.