WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester City Council meeting on Tuesday ended early over protestors. The meeting went to recess and was ultimately adjourned after pro-ceasefire advocates began chanting in the chamber.

A pro-ceasefire resolution organizers said was endorsed by 1,500 residents was left off of the agenda because of what is known as Rule 11.

Organizers of the pro-ceasefire protest note members of the council brought a resolution which unilaterally condemned Hamas in October 2023, now they’re questioning why the council won’t hear them out.

“I think what we were looking for last night was for them to consistently apply their own rules, to allow a constituent brought a petition to be heard the same way that theirs was," Allie Cislo said. "They heard it and not only passed it last year. So, if it was within scope, then I'm not really sure why we weren't permitted a hearing last night.”

“We understand the city has challenges on how Rule 11 is has been applied historically," Claire Schaeffer-Duffy said. "That problem precedes the coalition ceasefire resolution. But we should not be the ones to take the fall for confusion about that.”

Rule 11 states, "No petition, paper, order, communication or report of any description which deals with personalities, or with matters not within the general supervision and/or relating to city government, or does not specifically state the business to be discussed, shall be placed on any city council agenda by the city clerk. The city clerk, with the assistance of the city solicitor, shall determine when an item is not appropriate for placement on the city council agenda."

Furthermore, Rule 56 allows for the City Council to suspend its rules with a two-thirds vote.

District 2 Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson said sometimes items which should not be on the agenda make it through, citing last week’s discussion about proof of citizenship for local candidates.

“There’s a few things that wind up on council that really shouldn't have been on council. But during COVID and things happened and there were things that were not germane to the city of Worcester that yes, in fact, we did. In hindsight, it was a mistake," Mero-Carlson said. "We have a lot that's happening in this city that we need to address. And it wasn't addressed because last night we couldn't because of the disruption that took place.”

The multi-faith coalition argues if the federal government is not enforcing humanitarian laws by calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, it falls on other layers, like local government to call on them.

“So, it's my understanding that multiple members of the council, including the mayor, have said that they are not willing to pursue further avenues via council," Cislo said. "So, I think our agenda at this point is rest coalition building and for you to stay tuned.”

And while the coalition plans to continue advocacy through other avenues, the city council plans on being more consistent with their Rule 11.

“We will be going forward strictly enforcing the rules under the city council and under the charter," Mero-Carlson said. "Again, we've all been elected to serve the people in Worcester, and we need to get back to doing our business here in the city of Worcester.”

Mayor Joseph Petty sent a statement to Spectrum News in which reads, “Last night, we saw a high level of emotion in the Council chamber. I appreciate our democratic process and the right to peacefully protest. I do not believe that anyone supports the killing of innocent lives. I recognize that there has been inconsistency in the application of Rule 11, and we will be more consistent moving forward. With respect to the state’s Open Meeting Laws, the City Council can only speak on items that are on the agenda. The Worcester City Council must focus on issues in our own community and ensure residents get the essential services that they need. Unfortunately, there were a number of pressing agenda items left unresolved for residents because of the meeting’s adjournment. My intention last night was not to silence the voices of those impacted by the ongoing war in the Middle East, and I hope that people feel like they have been heard while the City Council is in compliance with our own regulations. I hope that we can move forward peacefully, together.”he says while he supports the right to peacefully protest…Tuesday night’s agenda featured a number of pressing items that went unresolved for the residents of Worcester."  

The next city council meet is scheduled for Tuesday Nov. 12.