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

Press release: Peace Action Wellington

14 September, 2003



        '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.



ENDS



For more information, please contact Valerie Morse

valerie.morse@paradise.net.nz or 383-9315

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