Two members of Wellington Climate Cafe were among hundreds caught up in hostile protests as they tried to enter the Green Party Autumn Conference in Brighton at the weekend.
Pro-Israeli demonstrators shouted at delegates in protest against a conference motion that equated Zionism with racism and called for Israel to be replaced by a single Palestinian state with “equal rights for all”.
Stephen Tate, from Wellington, and his daughter Penny Tate, from Bridport, say they were subjected to hate speak as they waited to pass through an airport-style security check to enter the conference venue.
Stephen said: “We were at the mercy of the mob because of the delays caused by the extra security checks.
“We were forced to queue in a narrow area just over a metre wide between the venue and metal barriers set up on the pavement.
“An angry mob stood right behind the barriers taunting us with offensive insults and deafening music. I was concerned for my daughter’ safety. It was so aggressive.
“The crazy part was this was first time we had heard anything about the motion. When I tried to ask a protester for more information, he swore in my face.”
Penny, who was attending her first Green Party conference, said it was upsetting to be called a racist by protesters.
“At first it seemed absurd, then it became intimidating. The whole experience felt at odds with what the Green Party stands for and deeply harmful to both sides of the argument.”
Once inside, Stephen and several other delegates raised their concerns with a senior Green Party member in charge of managing the entrance to the venue.
“To their great credit, they listened and acted,” said Mr Tate. “They speeded up the security checks and asked the police to disperse the mob.
“By the time we left the venue for another event about an hour later, the situation had been diffused. But we had seen enough not to want come back for the vote on Sunday.”
PHOTO: Stephen waiting at St John’s Church as they set off to the conference.
***
This month’s Wellington Climate Cafe tomorrow (Thursday) will be making hawthorn vinegar and a model wind turbine.
There will also be an opportunity to try the first batch of climate kombucha made at September’s climate cafe.
The group meet at Wellington Meeting House, High Street TA21 8RA, from 7pm to 9pm
For more information, contact climatecafe@posteo.uk