Anti-vaccination protesters clash with police in New Zealand | World | T.W.

Police and anti-vaccination protesters clashed at the New Zealand parliament building this Thursday (02.10.2022), with dozens of detainees after authorities arrived to evict them from the site.

Protesters chanted tribal Maori slogans and chanted “defend the line” amid scuffles, and police moved in to clear the makeshift encampment on Parliament grounds.

Two days later, on Thursday, police allowed 150 protesters to attend, using loudspeakers to warn them of arrest if they did not leave.

Activists punched and kicked police while chanting “this is not democracy”, “shame on you” and “drop the vaccine mandate”.

Protests began on Tuesday in a replica of Canada’s “Freedom Convoy,” with hundreds of trucks and mobile homes lining the streets of central Wellington.

Patience is over

Most of the vehicles left after 24 hours, but a group of activists remained with the slogan “as long as needed”.

Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said he had run out of patience with the protests and called for police intervention.

Wellington Police Commander Superintendent Cory Parnell said more than 100 extra officers had been brought in from outside the capital to quell the protests.

“The police recognize people’s right to protest, but it must be done in a way that does not unduly affect the entire public,” he said.

In New Zealand, people working in sectors such as health, police, education and security are required to be vaccinated against Covid.

Proof of vaccination must be provided to enter restaurants, sporting events and religious services.

mg (afp, The Dominion Post)