New Zealand police make arrests as COVID vaccine mandate protests enter 3rd day (updated)

Green Cross Health

09/02/2022 23:31

(Adds more than 50 arrested in paragraph 1, details of protests
and demonstrator comments in paragraphs 11-14, police comment in
paragraph 15)
    By Praveen Menon
    WELLINGTON, Feb 10 (Reuters) - New Zealand police on
Thursday arrested more than 50 people and began forcefully
removing hundreds of protesters camped outside its parliament
building for the last three days to protest COVID-19 vaccine
mandates and tough coronavirus restrictions. 
    Inspired by truckers' demonstrations in Canada https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadian-authorities-scramble-end-anti-vaccine-mandate-protests-2022-02-09,
 into a 13th day with protesters blocking two border crossings
with the United States, several thousand protesters this week
blocked streets near the parliament in capital Wellington with
trucks, cars and motorcycles.
    A country of five million people, New Zealand has reported
just over 18,000 confirmed cases and 53 deaths since the
pandemic began. About 94% of eligible people are vaccinated,
with shots mandatory for some staff in frontline jobs.    
    Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Thursday told the
protesters to "move on", saying the protests are not a
reflection of what the majority in the country feels. As of
14.45 local time (0145 GMT), about a thousand protesters
remained at the site, defying warnings and efforts by the police
to clear them.
    "All of us want to actually move on. We are working very
hard to put ourselves in the best possible position to do that,"
Ardern told reporters after visiting a COVID-19 vaccination
centre in Auckland.  
    Ardern acknowledged every New Zealander had the right to
protest, but said that should not disrupt others' lives.
Removing protesters was an operational matter for police, she
said.
    Despite garnering plaudits for keeping the country virtually
virus-free over the last two years, the strict restrictions now
in place have become unpopular, with Ardern's approval ratings
taking a hit in recent opinion polls.
    With borders still closed, tens of thousands of expatriate
New Zealanders face being cut off from families, while tourism
businesses are struggling to stay afloat.
       
    'WANT OUR FREEDOM BACK'
    Speaker Trevor Mallard on Thursday authorised the closure of
grounds around the distinctive 'Beehive' parliament building,
after which demonstrators quickly confronted police officers,
banging drums and screaming insults. Some were seen throwing
empty plastic bottles at the police. 
    As the crowd pushed against barriers, police pulled them out
and wrestled them to the ground, a Reuters witness said. Dozens
were handcuffed and taken away amid cries of "Shame on you!"
from the crowd.
    Many protesters, who said they were vaccinated but were
against mandating vaccines, were seen holding placards saying
"Freedom", "Leave our kids alone" and "Let me work".
    "We are not going anywhere. We will hold the line and see
this through," said one demonstrator who gave his name only as
Adam, and said he had come from Palmerston North, about 140 km
(87 miles) north of Wellington.    
    "We want our freedom back," said another protester,
identifying himself as Dave. "Jacinda (Ardern) has turned her
back on us. Kiwis are not dumb. We are losing our jobs and our
lives due to these mandates and restrictions." 
    Police said those arrested will face trespass and
obstruction charges, and will be bailed to appear in court.
Authorities have also appealed to the owners or drivers of
vehicles blocking streets surrounding parliament grounds to
remove them or face enforcement action. 

 (Reporting by Praveen Menon and Renju Jose; Editing by Sandra
Maler and Kenneth Maxwell)
 ((praveen.menon@thomsonreuters.com; +6448028163; Reuters
Messaging: praveen.menon.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net;
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Journopraveen))