Sydney Solidarity with Aotearoa Arrestees: Protest Report

20 people attended a solidarity demonstration outside the
New Zealand Consulate in Sydney this morning. 

Armed with carrots and an avocado (certified non-explosive),
demonstrators told passers-by ‘This is considered a weapon in New Zealand.  Houses were raided across the country,
a bus of school children was searched at gunpoint, and what do they find to
confiscate?  A bag with some
carrots and an avocado.  This is
their “police intelligence”.  This
is the justification for their anti-terror laws, which are being used to crush
dissent and intimidate activists.’

The group had a banner reading ‘Police are the real
terrorists’ and leaflets warning that ‘A heavily armed gang of over 300 thugs
called the “New Zealand” gang, known for their previous violent offences, have
recently kidnapped at least seventeen environmental, peace-movement, anarchist
and Tino Rangatinatanga (Maori sovereignty movement) activists.  They are known to have automoatic guns,
run illegitimate terrorist training camps in the midst of Aotearoan society,
and to be paid by foreign governments who have committed acts of aggression and
illegally occupied people’s land.  The
gang is slavishly obedient to their mysterious leader, known only as “Helen.”

Some demonstrators tried to enter the consulate building but
were held back by Federal Police. 
A representative of the Consulate came down to talk to the protest and
left to pass on a message of ‘strong disapproval’.

A further public meeting and demonstration will be held next
Thursday, October 25, at 5.30 pm outside the NZ consulate (55 Hunter St,
Sydney.)