'Flash Mob' Disrupts Question Period

Source: The Canadian Press

Posted: 10/27/09 8:37AM

Filed Under: Canada

OTTAWA - A self-described "flash mob" of environmental protesters disrupted Parliament with a raucous demonstration in the public gallery during question period Monday.

Speaker Peter Milliken briefly put questions on hold while shouts and chanting echoed through the chamber as bemused MPs gazed on.

The protesters rose in small groups and chanted slogans about the lack of government action on climate change, with another new group popping up each time security shut one down. Eventually the entire public gallery was ordered out.

A youthful mob filed down through the Hall of Honour, chanting "Green jobs now!" "Tar sands, shut it down!" and "Whose House? Our House!" in reference to the House of Commons.

House security said the crowd totalled about 120 people.

One young woman was seen being dragged down a hallway, yelling that there was "blood on the floor." Six protesters were detained by Commons security and RCMP officers, but no charges were laid, according to the Speaker's office. Instead, the six have been barred from entering the building for the next year.

Outside, several dozen protesters gathered to denounce both Conservative and Liberal inaction in advance of next month's United Nations climate change summit in Copenhagen.

"What we want is climate justice," said Joe Cressy of the Polaris Institute, standing under the Peace Tower.

"We want to see a fair, ambitious and binding treaty for Copenhagen. That's what we're here for."

While endorsing an NDP-sponsored bill on climate change, Cressy described the group as a non-partisan coalition of faith-based organizations, social justice groups and environmental organizations.

NDP MP Nathan Cullen, who stood outside watching after the protesters were ushered from the building, praised the disruptive tactics.

"It's pretty powerful, there's no doubt about it, young people getting this animated," said Cullen.

"We always say we want them interested in the House of Commons. They've chosen this path."

Liberal Dominic LeBlanc shrugged off the unusual protest, which he said was the first of its nature in his nine years as a parliamentarian.

"People choose all kinds of ways to express themselves," said LeBlanc.

Environment Minister Jim Prentice did not speak to reporters in the Commons foyer after question period - somewhat delayed - finally ended Monday.

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