New Zealand: Clashes and arrests during evacuation of anti-vaccine camp

Clashes erupted Thursday near the New Zealand Parliament in Wellington between police and anti-vaccine protesters against Covid-19, who have gathered for three days including More than 120 . have been arrested.

The security forces intervened to disperse this gathering and specifically to dismantle the improvised camp that was set up near the parliament, while the activists sang Hakka Maori while chanting. “holding positions” In the face of police advances.

The latter received punches and kicks while insulting them with slogans such as ‘It’s not a democracy’And the “shame on you” or “Abandoning the obligation”.

The authorities closed the campus of ParliamentIt is a rare occurrence to prevent the demonstrators from receiving reinforcements.

Police advanced to the parliament building but retreated behind barricades in the late afternoon as protesters chanted and shouted victory.

The evacuation could take days according to Wellington Police Chief Cory Parnell, who accuses some activists of using children. Human shields to drive away the police.

“It is unfortunate that although the plaza was officially closed to the public earlier today, a number of protesters are refusing repeated requests to leave the compound.”did he say.

This gathering, which began on Tuesday, resonated with an echo Freedom Caravan It was started at the end of January by Canadian truck drivers to denounce the vaccination duty to cross the US border. After leaving Vancouver, they had been laying siege to the capital, Ottawa, for a week and inspired similar moves in other countries.

A hard core of protesters

In New Zealand, hundreds of caravanserais and trucks closed down Wellington’s Parliament District on Tuesday. Most of them are gone after 24 hours but one Solid I was determined to stay there “As long as necessary”.

Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said residents’ patience with the disruption caused by this mobilization had been exhausted and the police had to step in.

“City streets are closed, shops and businesses are closed, and people are feeling threatened and intimidated by some protesters.”He told Radio New Zealand before the police move, for which a hundred reinforcements were sent.

Residents of the capital complained of being attacked Because they wore protective masks and many companies close to Parliament had to close because their employees asked to check health permits.

Compulsory vaccination

Wellington City Hall has warned that its agents will start issuing tickets for vehicles blocking streets as part of the mobilization of anti-sanitary measures.

A woman, who declined to be named, accused the police of provoking the crowd. “It was a peaceful protest, what they did is a disgrace”.

‘I never imagined seeing this in New Zealand’she added.

New Zealand has made vaccination against Covid-19 mandatory for people working in the health, police, education and defense sectors. Those who refuse face the risk of dismissal. a Evidence of vaccination Required in restaurants, sporting events and religious services.

According to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, ‘96% of New Zealanders have been vaccinated’.