No to anti-protest law – Peace Action Wellington

In a report released today, the Independent Police Conduct Authority has
called for new standalone legislation directed at pre-emptively policing
protest.

“I completely reject the IPCA recommendation for a specific protest law.
It will limit our fundamental rights and freedoms,” said Valerie Morse.

“We already have a great protest law: it’s called the NZ bill of
rights.”

“Police regularly try to limit or shut down protests that are simply
embarrassing or unhelpful for the government. They cannot be trusted to
prioritise people’s rights at protests.”

“I have been arrested a number times at protests. When these charges
have gone to court the judge has thrown them out. If the police had had
their way these protest never would have occurred.”

“Just because similar jurisdictions have laws about policing protest
doesn’t mean that they are a good idea. The US, UK and Australia are all
suffering from extreme democratic deficits – in part due to
authoritarian responses like these anti-protest laws.”