After Canada, the “Freedom Caravan” in New Zealand

COVID-19 – After Ottawa, a new Anglo-Saxon capital has been affected by . A convoy of trucks and caravanserais blocked the streets around the New Zealand Parliament on Tuesday, February 8 in Wellington To protest against sanitary measures and vaccination, a movement inspired by The person who paralyzes the capital of Canadanickname “Freedom Caravan”.

Hundreds of cars, decorated with messages such as “Give us our freedom back” and “Coercion is not consent,” parked in the streets near Parliament. Hundreds more marched through the city center blowing their horns while more than a thousand people listened to sermons.

Stu Maine, a Wellington resident, said protesters felt their concerns about eroding their rights had not been heard from the government. “I am to feed But I am against forcing people to do that,” he told AFP, describing the policy as “scandalous.”

The protest remained peaceful, and the police did not report any arrests or major incidents. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern He said he had no intention of dialogue with those involved in the process, noting that the majority of New Zealanders had expressed support for the program. vaccination for the government.

“96% of New Zealanders are vaccinated, so we can now live with fewer restrictions thanks to the extra protection it offers,” she told Radio New Zealand.

Canadian expats in procession

Vaccination against Covid-19 is mandatory for people working in certain sectors such as health, police, education and defense in New Zealand.

System healthy lane It went into effect, requiring people to prove their vaccination to enter restaurants, participate in sporting events or religious services. It is not mandatory for public transport, supermarkets, schools or access to health services.

Several protesters in Wellington carried Canadian flags, including an expat named Billy, who declined to give his last name.

Hundreds of trucks have besieged the Canadian capital for more than ten days, and the mayor of Ottawa called on the federal authorities, on Monday, February 7, to help end this, after declaring a “state of emergency”.

On the other side of the globe, Wellington Caravan organizers have not indicated how long they intend to stay in the New Zealand capital.

See also on Half Post: Against mandatory vaccination, Ottawa truck drivers demonstrate