Wellington 2nd Iraq Anniversary; a de-arrest, paintbombs and peace!

Today Wellington marked the 2nd anniversary of troops in Iraq when around 150 people marched to the US Embassy at noon. The march also targeted ANZ bank with several paintbombs in opposition to their part in financing the war on Iraq.

Some of the protesters had planned to throw rotten fruit at their friend who was dressed as George Bush Jr. One of them was dragged away by police before the tomato had even left his hand. It was immediately pointed out that the young man had done nothing illegal and should be let go, but the police where not listening and dragged him toward a police car. Protestors got in their way and argued for his release. The protesters where so good at getting in the way the police could not get their captive in the car.

After the police had finally managed to handcuff the unfortunate protester amidst a melee of bodies and police punches, they realised they where surrounded and the car doors affectively blocked by a human wall. They were vastly outnumbered and the protesters had made a very effective tangle of interlocked arms and still had a hold of the man they where trying to arrest.The crowed began screaming 'LET HIM GO' and they did the only thing they could do. They let him go. In doing so they asked the crowd to stand back, which they did. The crowd then formed a circle around the car singing "There ain't no power like the power of the people 'coz the power of the people don't stop." YAY! The power of the people triumphs again. As for the cop car, it needs a couple of repairs.

People hung around the Embassy for a couple of hours, pitched tents outside and dug into some food. Since we left at 4ish, two of the protestors have gone on a fast in solidarity with the people of Iraq and the arrested Auckland protestors.