Protesters against new policy removed from Greensboro City Council meeting

Several people were removed from a Greensboro City Council meeting Tuesday after loud chants protesting a policy to limit disruptions.

Council approved a new procedure in July to temporarily bar someone from in-person meetings for being disruptive. 

Under the new rule, a member of the Working-class & Houseless Organizing Alliance (WHOA) was temporarily banned in September after striking a microphone. This week, representatives with the organization spoke out against the decision and policy.

Del Stone, a WHOA member, says the group speaks on behalf of people who are exhausted and enraged.

"We can keep doing that whether or not the mayor allows us in this particular chamber, and we will keep doing it," Stone says.

City Attorney Chuck Watts says individuals can't act as if they speak for all residents. He says if they want to challenge officials in any real way, they can run for office.

"I would hope that violent disruption would not become a norm here," Watt says. "This is not the good trouble that John Lewis talked about."

Under the rule, if someone is removed, they will not be allowed to attend meetings in person for the next three months.