Students and others interested in social justice chanted "Let us in!" as they waited in line to attend a videoconference Wednesday evening on internet surveillance.
Hundreds of people were lined up to hear a talk given by noted whistleblower and former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.
The room where the conference was to take place can only seat 600, and it's estimated that more than 1,000 people were in line
However a protest by striking McGill support staff workers delayed the start of the talk.
1,500 members of the Association of McGill University Support Employees (AMUSE), who would normally be organizing conferences such as this one, are on strike.
On social media AMUSE denied they were blocking doors and said the delay in letting people inside was actually caused by organizers.
we are not blocking doors; we are delaying entrance to explain strike and ask ppl not to break picket. then ppl are free to enter.
— AMUSE HQ (@AMUSE_PSAC) November 2, 2016
But striking employees on site told CTV Montreal they were delaying the start of the videoconference as they asked people not to cross their picket line.
The doors were being blocked before anyone was let it. @CTVMontreal https://t.co/QcdZpxkyXb
— Amanda Kline (@AmandaKline23) November 2, 2016
Wednesday's conference was organized by volunteers who had to scramble to find overflow rooms when the crowd waiting to hear from Snowden swelled.
AMUSE is asking for a $15/hour minimum wage, stable employment, and more.
