Edmonton Taxi Drivers Remove Shirts, Demand Pizza At City Council

Edmonton's battle between taxis and ride-sharing service Uber got more than heated as cab drivers swarmed the city council chambers.

Tuesday's pandemonium started when council members suggested expanding the number of taxi licence plates in the city. Taxi drivers began shouting that council is "taking the shirts off their backs."

Protest breaks out in #yegcc chambers at suggestion # of plates be uncapped. #CBC pic.twitter.com/geuaHEyIoz
— Laura Osman (@LauraOsmanCBC) September 22, 2015

It's a zoo down here. #yeg #yegcc pic.twitter.com/MXMIWQMsQb
— BreannaKarstensSmith (@BreannaCTV) September 22, 2015

Peace officers tried to quiet the crowd by warning them that police had been called, but that didn't work. City council filed out the side doors.

Who was going to fix this chaos?

Linda Cochrane, the cabbie-whisperer. #yeg #yegcc https://t.co/r8HsKQdK6i
— Paula Simons (@Paulatics) September 22, 2015

"I know you're upset but this is not going to settle it." Acting city manager in a very quiet voice. #yegcc #EJlive pic.twitter.com/R8ijqq8eqY
— Elise Stolte (@estolte) September 22, 2015

Linda Cochrane would make a great kindergarten teacher if filling in as city manager doesn't work out. #CBC #yegcc
— Laura Osman (@LauraOsmanCBC) September 22, 2015

#Uber representatives are sitting quietly in chambers still. No comment for now #yeg #yegcc pic.twitter.com/xMKb9dsRtd
— BreannaKarstensSmith (@BreannaCTV) September 22, 2015

Staff ask those who will be "good" to raise their hands. A few hesitant ones go up #yeg #yegcc pic.twitter.com/wQrRKazu5I
— BreannaKarstensSmith (@BreannaCTV) September 22, 2015

If you are not watching #yegcc right now, what are you doing with your life. #yyc #yyccc #ableg
— Shane Bostock (@BestShaneEver) September 22, 2015

#yegtaxi drivers now asking for pizza. "I don't think the mayor is in a buying pizza mood right now" says Linda Cochrane. #CBC
— Laura Osman (@LauraOsmanCBC) September 22, 2015

City staff are handing out water. Trying to cool people off literally and figuratively #yeg #yegcc pic.twitter.com/zu3FRJWgb0
— BreannaKarstensSmith (@BreannaCTV) September 22, 2015

"If you yell at them, this will end badly" says acting CM Linda Cochrane. "This is Edmonton." #yegcc #EJlive pic.twitter.com/QcLFNlIdXT
— Elise Stolte (@estolte) September 22, 2015

via GIPHY

'We good?' Yes, grudgingly. 'Then let's go .. I'm going to come up & sit with you.' #ejlive #yegcc pic.twitter.com/FuIHPE47d6
— Gordon Kent (@GKentEJ) September 22, 2015

A dozen or so more #EPS heading into #yegcc chambers #yeg pic.twitter.com/CSoahRONFk
— Jessica Kent (@JKentGlobal) September 22, 2015

Taxi driver shortless protest at #yegcc would have been more effective with the right leader. #GoslingForCabbies #yeg pic.twitter.com/epIPZtdnY4
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) September 22, 2015

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