Demonstration in Auckland against US/NZ Partnership Forum

Morning Picket

The protests against the US/NZ Partnership Forum started at around 7:45am with a picket outside the Hilton where a press conference was scheduled to start at 8.30am. The protest organisers were under the impression that the Forum will be held at the Auckland Museum in the Domain. A local radio station reported that the venue had been changed to an inner-city venue. After further conversation with journalists and a drive-by at the Museum, it became evident that the whole Forum would be held at the Hilton.

March

Protesters started gathering in Aotea Square at 12noon. It was decided to march down Queen Street to the Hilton. Around 100 people joined the march and we left at around 12:30pm behind a huge banner saying "NotForSale.org.nz - No Free Trade Deal with the USA". There were a number of union activists from the NDU and Unite, people from socialist groups and a lot of anarchists from around the country who were in Auckland for the anarchist conference organised by A Space Inside. Flares were let off on the march, people chanted, music was played.

At the Hilton

Police only started to be visible when we approach the Hilton. They tried to "give us an escort" by driving into the demo. An orange smoke bomb was thrown towards the policeline. The driveway to the hotel was blocked for 15 minutes. Then the cops decided to clear half the driveway so cars could get to the hotel. Extra cops came in and were positioned at the side. "Move, move, move!" And after a short scuffle the protesters were moved.

Speeches were delivered by law professor Jane Kelsey, Penny Bright from the Water Pressure Group, a member of Citizens Against Privatisation and others. While listening to fantastic music (Rage Against the Machine - yay!) the cops started clearing the whole driveway. During that scuffle three people were arrested and several activists were injured by the police. The cops threw punches and grabbed a woman's breasts. One cop's hat was expropriated.

After the pepper spraying the previous day, it was another violent display of the state's army protecting the ruling class.