Protests began on February 8 after more than 1,000 car and truck drivers gathered in a convoy inspired by protests in Canada and elsewhere
Police began arresting dozens of protesters on February 10 who were camping on the grounds of New Zealand’s parliament on the third day of a convoy protest against the coronavirus mandate.
The arrests came after Speaker of Parliament Trevor Mallard took the rare step of shutting down the grounds.
Police called in more than 100 additional officers from other parts of the country. Still, the police seemed ready to wait as the officers formed a line and ordered the people to leave, but only very slowly proceeded on them.
By noon, the police had arrested over 50 people and accused many of them of trespassing or obstructing. Police wore protective vests, but did not carry riot gear or guns.
Police said they told everyone on the ground that they were trespassing.
Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corey Parnell said: “Police have repeatedly urged protesters to leave the field and have begun evacuating people from the area.” “While the police recognizes the right of the people to protest, it needs to be conducted in a way that does not mislead the wider public.”
The protests began on February 8 after more than 1,000 people driving cars and trucks gathered in parliament in a convoy inspired by protests in Canada and elsewhere.
By Thursday, the number of protesters had dwindled to a hundred. Some vehicles of protesters were parked in the middle of the streets around Parliament, forcing some roads to be closed. The National Library and several cafes and bars in the area closed their doors during the protests.
Parliament grounds are often the site of peaceful protests, although mass camps are uncommon.
Usually at least some politicians will come out to listen to the concerns of the protesters, but politicians who reconvened in Parliament after the summer break appeared in rare unison not acknowledging the protesters, which Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. He was not the representative of New Zealand. ,
New Zealand’s requirement comes amid complaints from protesters that some staff, including teachers, doctors, nurses, police and military personnel, be vaccinated against COVID-19. Many protesters also oppose the mask mandate – such as in shops and in classrooms among children over the age of about 8 – and support the ideal of greater “freedom”.
New Zealand was hit hardest by the pandemic after closing its borders and enforcing a strict lockdown limiting the spread of the virus. The nation has reported just 53 virus deaths among a population of 5 million.
But some are tired of the restrictions. Ardern said last week that the country would phase out its quarantine requirements for incoming travelers as it reopened its borders. With about 77% of New Zealanders vaccinated, Ardern has also promised that she will not impose more lockdowns.
Health officials are reporting about 200 new virus cases every day as outbreaks of the Omicron type grow. Sixteen people are currently hospitalized due to the virus.
Wellington City Council spokesman Richard McLean said he was not ticketing vehicles parked illegally near Parliament because of concerns about the safety of employees, but on his options for reopening roads in a volatile situation. was thinking. He said that the council is advising people to avoid the area.
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