Arrests at Wellington peace demonstration
Word has just come through of 5 arrests at the demonstration in Wellington on the 3rd anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.
No more word through as yet of details of charges. Will post more as soon as it comes through.
Comments
Re: Arrests at Wellington peace demonstration
UPDATE: Now apparently 6 arrests,
Re: Arrests at Wellington peace demonstration
Latest report is that 5 was the correct number after all.
Re: Arrests at Wellington peace demonstration
3 of the 5 are out.
2 remain inside, they've both just been seen by a doctor - one has some sort of neck injury, the other bruises on his head and back. Not sure how serious they are...
Re: Arrests at Wellington peace demonstration
All 5 are out now.
Re: Arrests at Wellington peace demonstration
Well... 5 arrests...
I thought that the whole day had gone extremely well until the arrests. A strong turnout, great weather, a manifestation of anger, lovely food not bombs, and people feeling empowered.
I don't want to point the finger too harshly, but the people arrested know better. The SRG (police) is well known for it's heavy handed tactics, and if you act in a certain way - ie. do things that you know they will consider willful damage - in front of them, after all non-activists and corporate owned media have gone, then you will be arrested. Any seasoned protester in Wellington is well aware of this.
I'm not sure how to characterise my reaction, but I suppose it's mainly disappointment.
Because by taking the action they did, they wasted a whole lot of time and energy, both their own, those who got arrested in the confusion afterwards (and this was surely a foreseeable result given the long history of such behaviour by the SRG), and their supporters. More time, energy, emotion, thought and money wasted fighting yet another symbolic action with no strategic rationale. No closer to the liberation of Iraqis, the end of capitalism's systematic oppression of the world's poor and destruction of the environment that sustains us all, and no closer to a world where we can spend our Saturdays doing whatever we want instead of waving placards and banners. A diversion from actually changing things.
I hope that those who took action today take a look at the what and why of their actions and at least try to learn some lessons.
With love and respect
rebel
Re: Arrests at Wellington peace demonstration
Dear rebel,
yeah good points but sheeez, you could have at least waited until they got out. Whatever the nature of 'our cops' I do not think it is fair to condemn those that wish to rebel and show their disrespect to the so-called powers that be, especially when they have been injured. Have some respect (not just in writing).
Can I also remind people that at one peace protest there 3 years ago people were injured and now one person in particular can no longer ride a bike and has trouble reading due to a head injury caused by over-excited, violent cops. She was just symbolically climbing the fence of the embassy as part of the street theatre-type demo being held that day as a citizen's weapons inspection team.
Even if the act today was not 'strategical' at least take note of again how violent our police force in Aotearoa are, especially in matters involving the USA.
Re: Arrests at Wellington peace demonstration
Rebel,
Given your posting it would seem that you had your eyes closed the whole time of the incident. I don't want to discuss this further on this forum given it's before the courts and this site is routinely visited by cops. However, I hope you take this up with me next time you see me, or email me directly.
Re: Arrests at Wellington peace demonstration
I agree with "another me", At the protest against the war in Iraq in Auckland there were police by the wagonload. Literally.
Re: Arrests at Wellington peace demonstration
thanks, another me and john - what I saw probably wasn't what you saw, but of course I too don't want to discuss the details in public until the courts have heard the cases.
I haven't had any chance to talk to those involved either, but then I think that I'd find it pretty hard to actually say these things to them directly, which is why I'm posting anonymously...
I'll talk to you sometime soonish John and discuss this.
And lastly, reading back over my comment, it sounds kinda harsh which isn't what I meant... thats the internet for you though...
Re: Arrests at Wellington peace demonstration
'one person in particular can no longer ride a bike and has trouble reading due to a head injury'
That's terrible. Has anyone written anything about this person's plight? The human body is very fragile, and people should avoid putting it at the risk of injury unless there's something to be gained. There's always a tremendous danger of injury when small groups of people take direct action. Safety as well as effectiveness comes in numbers.
On the open mike after the demo in Auckland Unite member Roger Fox made the point that the anti-war movement has to orientate toward the unions if it wants to act effectively. Without strikes and blockades it is very difficult to stop war from the home front. I don't always agree with Roger but he was spot on that one. Easier said than done, of course.
Re: Arrests at Wellington peace demonstration
I think Rebel makes some good points. I totally support actions taken against the embassy but I really think you've got to be strategic in choosing when and how to do them. It seems a much better idea to have had a good 10+ people all throwing balloons together at the start when there were hundreds still around instead of a lone action. We're much stronger doing this sort of thing together.
It also seems a bit silly putting yourself at risk of arrest for doing something so symbolic, that has no other gains. Arrests in symbolic actions are basically only worthwhile for media attention, so it's not clever to do something like that once media have left.
Having said all this, I think it is bullshit you should be arrested for throwing a waterbomb - I think it's bullshit you should be arrested for pretty much any action taken against the embassy - and despite the fact that the act may have been ill-timed, I totally support/supported the attempt to stop the arrest.
I wish in the future we could act more collectively to stop arrests. There were only a few of us that linked arms and while we stayed staunch the line was broken the moment the second contingent of police arrived because those on the other end didn't link arms, despite being asked to do so. I was disappointed with that, and I think it shows we need to practice dealing with things like arrests, and come prepared beforehand.
My 2 cents... which looks more like a dollar (sorry!).