Gov’t accusing NDP MLA of organizing protest in Assembly

Some strong words were being thrown around at the Saskatchewan Legislature on Tuesday after a protest shut down proceedings for the day on Monday.

Pro-Palestinian protesters began chanting “Ceasefire now” from the galleries on Monday during Question Period,  prompting the speaker to end proceedings for the day. Protesters were then escorted out, filling the Legislative Building’s entrance and rotunda with their voices.

On Tuesday, members of the Saskatchewan Party government accused Saskatchewan NDP MLA Jennifer Bowes — who stood when the protesters chanted on Monday and wore a scarf supporting the pro-Palestinian cause — of helping to organize the protest.

Premier Scott Moe said it’s the first time, to his knowledge, that the operations of government were shut down due to such actions.

The premier also took issue with Bowes referring to Israel’s actions in Gaza as a genocide.

“Those are the words of an extremist individual and the leader of the opposition has a responsibility to Saskatchewan people to ensure that none of her members in her caucus were part of shutting down the government in this province (Monday),” said Moe.

The premier also said Bowes shared information on social media supporting the protest.

He didn’t speak to any of the other guests on Monday, but Moe wondered whether the schoolchildren or cancer survivors who were there were comfortable with what happened.

Bowes said she did speak to one of the organizers, who is a constituent of hers and had talked to her before about their concerns about what’s happening in Gaza. She said she encouraged them to come to the Legislative Building and voice their concerns.

“I thought it was very good that people took so much time to drive here, to take time off work, to pull their children from school, to participate in democracy in this place. I think that’s healthy and I think that’s a wonderful thing,” said Bowes.

She also said she did share a posted on Instagram about people coming to the Legislature.

However, she said she didn’t encourage the groups to disrupt the government proceedings.

“I was not aware of any planned actions, if any … I was aware that there would be a lot of people, absolutely, but in terms of whatever way they want to demonstrate, no (I was not aware),” said Bowes.

She said the protest and demonstration were peaceful, there was nothing that happened that was threatening or violent and it was a legitimate expression of people’s concern.

Bowes talked about standing when the group began their protest in the Assembly, describing it as representing her constituents.

“Sometimes that looks like a question in Question Period, sometimes that looks like a petition that is undertaken, and sometimes it is a gesture that is, in my case, physical in nature standing up and not saying anything – and sometimes that is equally meaningful and legitimate,” explained Bowes.

The MLA also stood by her description of what’s happening in Gaza as genocide, saying she believes that’s what it will be found to be.

“Of course, there is a legal process to determine whether or not a genocide has occurred or not and I strongly hope that that process will be undertaken swiftly,” she said.

NDP Leader Carla Beck said no member of her caucus had any part in orchestrating the disruption on Monday.

She said she was disappointed that her opposition’s limited time to lead questioning of the government in Question Period was cut short.

Beck didn’t like Moe’s choice of words in making his accusations.

“Using words like ‘extremist,’ it’s not helpful … The language we use can either incite division or set an example,” said Beck.

She added that genocide is also a specific charge that no member of the Assembly sitting in Saskatchewan has the ability to make.

Both Beck and Bowes believe the Sask. Party government is attempting to pull the public’s attention to this issue and away from the charge recently laid against a former Sask. Party MLA and the question of a conflict of interest around another Sask. Party MLA.

Changes coming to security

The head of security at the Legislature says public access to the galleries is being changed in the wake of Monday’s protest.

In an email obtained by The Canadian Press, security director Dani Herman said access is to be limited to 20 people at one time, unless it’s for pre-scheduled tours approved by her.

People and groups must pre-register to attend, and must send in their forms at least 72 hours in advance of their visit.

In the email, Herman said people who walk in and don’t register won’t be allowed in the galleries unless she grants them permission.

The new rules are to be in effect until Nov. 30, and could be changed back after that date, subject to review.

— With files from The Canadian Press