During a recent Peel District School Board (PDSB) meeting, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters created a disruption that escalated into physical confrontation. A protester broke into the private boardroom, grabbed PDSB trustee David Green, and later released him when he confronted her. The growing commotion forced the board to relocate the meeting to the private boardroom to maintain order.
Chair David Green explained that the protesters were demanding to speak at the meeting, but they neglected to follow the necessary protocol for making a delegation. Video footage of the incident showed the group chanting and insisting on having a voice in the proceedings.
Despite the uproar, Green attempted to engage with the protesters. He confronted one of the individuals who had broken into the room, warning her of the potential consequences of her actions. The group made four demands, including reinstating a principal, issuing statements of support for Palestine, and ensuring that students displaying Palestinian flags wouldn’t face penalties. Green tried to redirect the protesters’ concerns to the provincial or federal government, emphasizing that the board’s primary role was to provide education in a safe environment.
The chaos and confrontations at the meeting led Green to consider improvements in security measures for future meetings. Reflecting on the incident, he expressed concern at how events had unfolded, stating that he would ensure additional security protocols to prevent future disruptions.