In recent months, Boulder’s City Council meetings have been marred by growing tensions and disruptions, prompting council members to take action. Following a series of protests, the council has decided to hold its next few meetings virtually.
The council voted 7-2 on Thursday night to make the Jan. 16 and Feb. 6 meetings online, while the Jan. 23 study session was already planned to be virtual. This move comes after repeated disturbances during public comment sessions, particularly in response to the ongoing debate over the war in Gaza.
The decision was driven by the increasing unrest and the need to ensure the safety of attendees and council members. According to city code, the council has the authority to limit or exclude in-person attendance when there are concerns about public health or safety. Over the past year, protesters have been a constant presence at meetings, but tensions reached a boiling point during the Dec. 19 council session. The session was briefly halted after an intense confrontation involving community members, leading some council members and attendees to feel unsafe.
Despite the vote in favor of virtual meetings, there was dissent among the council. Councilmember Matthew Benjamin and Mayor Pro Tem Lauren Folkerts both opposed the shift to online meetings, expressing concerns about the message it sends to the community. Benjamin argued that giving in to disruptions would undermine the council’s leadership. Councilmember Taishya Adams also voiced her opposition but mistakenly cast a vote in favor of the change. She later clarified her stance, emphasizing the importance of allowing community members to express their views in person.
However, other members of the council argued that temporarily moving meetings online would provide the necessary time to address the root cause of the disruptions. Mayor Aaron Brockett reassured the public that the move was not an attempt to avoid responsibility but rather a pause to reevaluate how to better manage disruptions and ensure the safety of all involved. He emphasized that public comment periods would remain a part of the virtual meetings, maintaining an avenue for residents to voice their opinions.
The Dec. 19 meeting highlighted the escalating tensions. During the session, a confrontation broke out after Boulder resident Evan Ravitz became upset during his open comment. He was interrupted by audience members and expressed frustration when the council didn’t allow him to finish his remarks. The situation escalated further, and protests continued even after the council took a brief recess. The incident underscored the challenges the council faces in balancing public expression with maintaining order at meetings.
As Boulder’s City Council navigates these challenges, the shift to virtual meetings is seen as a temporary solution to create a safer and more controlled environment. While the council works on addressing disruptions, residents can still engage through virtual meetings and open comment periods, ensuring their voices continue to be heard.
Leave a Reply