Protesters interrupt US city council meeting, accuse mayor of aiding ‘genocide’

WASHINGTON (AA) – Hundreds of people took to a Cleveland City Council meeting to accuse the Ohio city’s mayor of supporting what they said is “genocide” in Gaza.

“We charge you with genocide. Mayor Bibb, you can’t hide,” the protesters chanted in the council chambers, according to video of the Monday night meeting that has circulated on social media. “Free, free Palestine.”

At least 200 protesters were in attendance Monday, according to the Cleveland.com news website. In all, seven of the demonstrators took to the microphone during a public comment period to highlight the civilian death toll in Gaza, and criticize Bibb’s past comments in support of Israel’s offensive.

The person who led the chants against Mayor Justin Bibb was escorted out of the chamber, according to Cleveland.com.

Following Hamas’ shocking Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed over 1,400 people, Bibb posted on X, the website formerly known as Twitter: “My prayers are with the people of Israel today as they confront these attacks. Terrorism has no place in our society.”

“Cleveland stands in solidarity with Israel in the face of terror and condemns these acts of evil,” he added.

It is unclear if the statement is what motivated the protesters, or if they were reacting to other public comments made by Bibb during the more than three weeks that have passed since the attack.

During that time, Gaza’s death toll has soared to 8,525 amid relentless Israeli bombardment, including 3,542 children and 2,187 women, while 21,543 other people have been injured, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.