‘Baby Shark’, ‘Freed, Delivery’ or ‘Macarena’ on a treadmill: How New Zealand police are trying to intimidate protesters against anti-sanitary measures

With the “caravan of freedoms” gaining momentum around the world and major unrest expected in Brussels in particular on Monday, New Zealand also faces protest movements against the health measures in place.

Since Tuesday, hundreds of protesters have gathered outside the New Zealand Parliament in Wellington to express their anger. The demonstrators organized themselves to continue their work, notably by erecting tents and trees to stay there day and night. The local police, unsuccessfully, tried to break up the movement in the middle of the week, sparking quarrels and riots.

In the face of the protesters’ stalemate, the police changed tactics this weekend, using an unusual tactic to say the least. Thus loudspeakers were installed broadcasting intoxicating tubes in a loop, at maximum volume, in an attempt to provoke the anger of the demonstrators. My “Macarena” or “Copacabana” songs are played in a loop, but also “Baby Shark”, a real hit with young children. Frozen’s song, “Let it Go,” is also part of the “Annoying” music selection, as is James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful.”

Garden hoses were also deployed to wet the protesters’ tents and personal effects, creating puddles of sludge on the patch of lawn that the protesters had seized.

It is not enough to calm the protesters yet. This Monday, there were still hundreds in front of Parliament, according to the BBC.