Scroll down or click here for Peace Action media release

WTO Protest Attacked

A peaceful protest against the WTO and the sending of troops today to Iraq was needlessly attacked yesterday by police. The charges are for chalking on the footpath and it seems the building, obstruction, and resisting arrest. I was actually charged with being near people chalking.

The police ripped the tendons in my partner's arm, smashed camera equipment, hit a protestor in the face, and needlessly arrested 8 people.

This is the ugly face of the state when you stop challenging imperialist USA, and start challenging our own contributions to the invasion of Iraq, and our role as free trade cheerleader.

I think we'll be seeing more of this at the marches against GE, and the protests against the government position on the foreshore.

Anyone who is still pretending that Labour has any shred of integrity, or progressive base needs to look seriously at this lie. Labour have continuously betrayed the people of New Zealand, we're just seeing the start. The bastards are on the run.

It's going to be an interesting summer.

In solidarity,

John Anderson

The full story is at www.indymedia.org.nz

Peace Action Wellington Press Release

Violent and irrational police actions at protest against NZ troops to Iraq

'The actions of the Wellington Police at a peaceful demonstration against the deployment of New Zealand troops to Iraq sent today were violent and completely irrational' said Peace Action Wellington member Valerie Morse 'As we were preparing to disperse from Minister Marian Hobb's office on Willis Street, the Strategic Response Group of the Wellington Police arrived and were intent on arresting people.'

'The police could find no valid reason for arresting people, so they targeted people for chalking on the footpath.'

The police ripped the tendons in a woman's arm, smashed camera equipment, hit a protestor in the face, and needlessly arrested 8 people.

'This is the ugly face of the Labour government when NZ contributions to the invasion of Iraq and our role as free trade cheerleader is challenged.'

'There are some serious questions about Police behaviour as well as the Government's intolerance of any dissent from their view that need to be asked.'

Peace Action Wellington is demanding a complete end to all support for USA military occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan.