Representatives of Occupy San Diego asked the City Council today to pass a resolution in support of their movement, but their continued chanting subsequently prompted council President Tony Young to abruptly adjourn the panel's morning session.
Even though activists asked for such a resolution -- similar to one passed by the Los Angeles City Council -- last week, no such measure was placed on today's docket, leaving Occupy San Diego members with three minutes during a public comment period on issues not listed on the agenda.
Michelle Deutsch, with a group called Canvass For A Cause, led about 50 people in a chant to ask for a resolution.
Deutsch and the other protesters said they would continue to stay in the Civic Center Plaza and nearby parks.
"We asked you to place this item on the agenda at the last meeting,'' she said. "You did not, so we ask you again.''
They asked for a special meeting to place the item on the agenda immediately.
"Again, if you do not place this on a future agenda, at this time, we will accept your passive consent to reoccupy the Civic Center Plaza and Children's Park and your action will be evidence of support for our constitutional rights,'' Deutsch said, as her words were echoed by the rest of the group.
When the next scheduled speaker, who regularly addresses the council at meetings, got up for his turn to talk, the protesters began chanting, "We are the 99 percent'' and "Support us now.''
At that time, Young announced the morning session was over with about 30 minutes remaining. Before the non-agenda comment session began, Young tried to grant the protesters more than their allotted three minutes by separating their topics, and took a five-minute break so they could organize themselves.
The protesters departed the council chamber peacefully.
The meeting was set to resume at 2 p.m.
