Weapons Conference: Peace Action Wellington causes major disruption

Between two and three hundred demonstrators caused major disruption for four hours to the annual forum of the New Zealand Defence Industry Association (NZDIA) held at Te Papa today.

The demonstration once it reached the Te Papa forecourt then occupied the only gap between the police fence and the building. Scuffles broke out between the demonstrators and the police as Te Papa was gradually surrounded by more and more blockades; eventually eight blockades were put in place and Te Papa was shut to the public for the rest of the day. Music was provided at the blockade on the main entrance by the Brass Razoo Solidarity Band, Jesse Moss, Ryan Prebble and the awesome Imon Star. Food Not Bombs kept those in the blockade and surrounding them fed and watered. [ Reports 1 | 2 | 3 | Timeline 17 Oct 2006 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Weapons Conference Protest Movies | TV3 Video | Cambell Live Feature on Rakon | Private thugs at Te Papa ]

Day 2 started with an early morning protest at Te Papa followed by protests against Rakon shareholders. Activists were chased around town by a hord of cops who wanted to arrest people. At 6pm 40 protestors were back at Te Papa. Two protesters were arrested. [ Report and Pics ]

Timeline: Day One, Tuesday 17 Oct 2006 - Protests against the weapons conference

Early morning - A banner was put up at a roundabout near the airport reading "War profiteers get out".

08:30 - Around 20 people are protesting at Te Papa. There are currently no barricades up but 10 cops were already there aswell as 10 Te Papa security guards. The group left at 09:30 after yelling at many war profiteers. No arrests.

09:45 - We won in the High Court! The illegal bail conditions of the 12 people arrested on Sunday were changed just then.

12:38 - 200 to 300 protesters. Front entrance and carpark entrance of Te Papa blocked. Scuffle at start.

12:52 - Another entrance blocked. Lots of security

13:16 - The Police have just made an attempt to shift the main front blockade.

13:18 - Blockades still up. Museum shut. Food Not Bombs cooking. All good.

13:19 - They're trying to get some VIP Army guy out but can't!!

13:21 - Cops just tried to push people away at front but weren't successful

13:25 - A whole bus load of tourists just boarded their bus again and left because they couldn't get into the museum.

13:26 - Te Papa is now closed to the public.

13:43 - Protest all still going on. No arrests. Pushing cops. Music now going

13:49 - People are in around 7 groups all around Te Papa

13:58 - Still no arrests. 'We've got the whole F*ckin place shut down!'

13:59 - Imon Star is doing some freestyle hip hop. Blue sky and rather warm.

14:08 Te Papa now completely shut down. No one in or out. Police retreating and regrouping. All delegates stuck inside.

14:12 Police inside trying to figure out how to get delegates out. The conference has been shut down… Reinforce barricades!

14:21 Cop g 719 just punched someone in the shoulder. Another report just in says the same cop punched someone in the face.

14:23 line of cops to right side.

14:28 Two delegates stopped from leaving

14:37 Cops pushing against people to get delegates out. People pushing back like mad. One camera smashed. Food scraps thrown at cops.

14:40 Around 40 cops. 70 protesters left.

14:47 Te Papa shut down. Still about 40 Police. All entrances blockaded. No arrests. Some hardcore Police actions at the start but they lost. Police tried to move fences foward but lost against a whole lot of people.

15:23 Big scuffle but we held the line. Blockades still going. Cops quite brutal Someone nearly got a cop's hat. Good chanting. Lots of people.

15:31 One demonstrator just driven into by car at fast speed. Thankfully he wasn't hurt. Lots of keen people around.

15:34 Reports that some delegates have gone to the airport to fly home.

15:56 Numbers have dwindled. 40 people now at the front. No arrests. All good.

16:07 Leaving Te Papa as one big group. Fantastic mood. Great crowd. Happy faces

16:17 Someone managed to expropriate a cop hat!

16:25 One cop hat was taken and then the cops tried to arrest someone in Pigeon Park but didn't end up arresting them.

16:35 All over. People were batoned and the cops had tasers with them.

Newswire articles
13.10.06 Pics from home demo at Neal Garnett's place
13.10.06 New Zealand Trade and Enterprise: Blood on Your Hands
15.10.06 12 peace protestors arrested now in Wgtn!
15.10.06 Illegal bail conditions given to the Clowns
17.10.06 Timeline Tuesday 17 Oct 2006 - Protests against the weapons conference
17.10.06 Photos 17 Oct 2006 - Actions against the weapons conference
17.10.06 Protest photos from Te Papa
18.10.06 Peace Action successfully shuts down weapons conference
18.10.06 Wake up call this morning at Te Papa
19.10.06 A Tale of Two Protests
19.10.06 The Day we Won Against the Police
19.10.06 Day 2 - Noisy protest at NZDIA dinner - 2 arrests
20.10.06 Private thugs at Te Papa: Who is Gibson Security?
20.10.06 More Photos from Tuesday's Blockades

IMC Aotearoa Features
07.10.02 Protesting NZ Weapons Industry At Te Papa (Scoop)
12.11.03 PAW: Weapons Conference Disrupted
21.10.04 Te Papa - No Arms Race at Our Place
10.10.05 Aotearoa Revolutionary Clown Army starts major offensive against enemy
19.10.05 Weapons Conference a Battleground for Protesters
12.05.06 Weapons conference arrests disgraceful and unlawful
11.10.06 Stop the Weapons Conference 2006
15.10.06 655 000 Dead in Iraq - Shut down the Weapons conference!
17.10.06 Weapons Conference: Peace Action Wellington causes major disruption