March 22, 2022.
It’s an image that will define 2022.
Strong Kiwi men standing arm in arm, with their backs to police. The police are decked out in riot gear - fully decked out riot police, when there is no riot.
A helicopter, police threats, teargas, gems from mainstream media: “Three police officers injured as protesters use ‘paint-filled projectiles and pitchforks’.”
Where are the images? We’re still waiting to see the poo-stained police uniform.
Loud speakers booming, “This is the New Zealand police…”
Booming: “This is New Zealand Police..The roads around Parliament are closed. Molesworth street is closed. If you do not leave the area you are trespassing. Move away from the police lines.If you obstruct police you may be arrested.”
It’s as if we’re watching a bad dystopian movie.
Protesters chanting ‘peace and love’: “This is a peaceful protest on public property. We will not go away.”
Look at the mix of people. all sorts of New Zealanders
The national anthem. “ Give us plenty give us peace….”
Then there’s pushing - police helmets against bare heads in Molesworth Street.
“Hold the line. Hold the line.”
A woman holds out a peace sign towards the police..
“You are the aggressors. We are holding the line. The world is watching.”
A mass of human beings, citizens of the same country.
I follow independent camera coverage. JP and Chantelle are on the ground.
“The protesters are not criminals. They lost their jobs because they were critical thinkers.”
“You want to get jabbed up, you go ahead and do so.”
Police trashing tents, moving around a kids trampoline with their shields. Teargas.
The Peehive is gone.
There are waiata. There are prayers.
Where is Jacinda?
“What is wrong with her?”
The police press forward. Shameful, gut wrenching.
“Here they come. What a woeful bunch.”
Masked Trevor on his Parliamentary balcony.
“Oi Trevor! We can see you. What’s wrong with you? I don’t swear much but look at this idiot! Turn the sprinklers on? Get …., you loser! Let Trevor and Cindy know they suck. Don’t let them get away with it.”
It would have been so simple for Ardern to meet with the protesters’ designated negotiator, follow the example of many countries around the world and drop the mandates so that people can get their jobs back. And how about help for the hundreds of vaccine injured.
Sixty arrests by10.20am. The police operation started at 6am.
“Go home? We are home.”
Is it about the vaccine?
Is it about power?
“What is Ardern going to tell you to do next.”
Is the Human Rights Commission monitoring this morning?
“Turn your backs to the police. We are strong.”
“Policemen, stop pushing. Stop pushing you are putting our people in danger. We don’t want anyone hurt. We won’t give you the satisfaction of a fight”
NZ Bill of Rights 1990: “Everyone has the right to refuse to undergo any medical treatment.”
There’s Portaloo Phil with his bruised eye.
Now 18,000 people are watching the livestream.
What to do? “I do not comply. I do not consent.”
Three lines of police.
“The police are in a horrible position.”
10.41am
Radio NZ, police statement: “A pre-planned operation to further restore access around the Parliamentary precinct has gained significant ground, with a number of vehicles and structures removed from the area this morning….Police were disappointed to see protesters in possession of various weapons this morning.These included, but were not limited to, the use fire extinguishers as weapons, a cord set up as a trip wire, paint-filled projectiles, homemade plywood shields and pitchforks.”
A grown middle aged man is crying.
Protesters are chanting: “Wrong side of history. Wrong side of history.”
JP asks,“What’s your threshold for caring.”
It’s 11.20am. An awful morning.
NZ’z Bill of Rights
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1990/0109/latest/whole.html#DLM225509