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Netanyahu Marin talk cancelled over fear of protests

By Lateef Mungin

A Marin appearance of Benjamin Netanyahu, the former prime minister of Israel, was canceled because of fears of a raucous demonstration similar to the one that canceled his speech at the Berkeley Community Theatre on Tuesday.

Along with the Marin appearance Netanyahu's speech in San Mateo was canceled.

"Because of the intensity of the demonstration in Berkeley we chose to cancel the speech," said Bruce Vogel, founder of the Marin Speakers Lecture Series. "Even though (the cancellation) sends a bad message, we were concerned about the ability to protect Benjamin Netanyahu and the safety of our subscribers."

Vogel said he met with police officials yesterday that told him it would take police from other areas to secure the Civic Center.

Berkeley police say hundreds of protesters who mingled with ticketholders at the scheduled appearance by Netanyahu yesterday forced authorities to cancel the event.

Berkeley police Lt. Russell Lopes said no arrests were made and no injuries were reported, but the cancellation upset some ticketholders, who paid $35 each to attend.

Lopes said a crowd of people protesting events in the Middle East gathered outside the Berkeley Community Theatre at 1930 Allston Way around 6 p.m.

Police set up a barricade and let ticketholders through at about 7 p.m. At that time, Lopes said, some 200 demonstrators broke through the police line and attempted to get into a courtyard in front of the theater.

Police were forced to abandon their posts at the barricade in order to seal off the courtyard. Lopes said however the crowd of hundreds in the courtyard made it difficult for officers to discern ticketholders from demonstrators.

William Rothman of Social Justice Center of Marin said his nonprofit organization had planned to demonstrate peacefully at Netanyahu's speech at the Civic Center.

"We are sorry they canceled the speech," Rothman said. "It eliminates the chance for the people of Marin to express themselves on what is happening in Israel and Palestine."

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