Protest violence unacceptable

The use of violence by a small minority of protesters in Auckland yesterday to attract media attention is a predictable, but completely unacceptable tactic, Police Association President Greg O'Connor said today.

"Today's protest involved several veteran protesters, including John Minto, who should have been showing leadership, and using their experience to control the handful amongst the protesters who were bent on engaging in violence and destruction," Mr O'Connor said.

"To have them instead appear to condone the violence, which hospitalised one officer, and resort to their predictable excuse that 'inexperienced police' provoked it, is as disappointing as their excuse is untrue.

"This protest, sadly, followed a predictable but unacceptable course. The majority have marched and made their point peacefully. A small group has then deliberately sought to create conflict, presumably in order to generate more media attention, in this case by attempting to smash down a door to gain entry into Sky City. The small number of police initially in attendance - just five officers - were obliged to intervene to prevent the deliberate property damage. Predictably, the unruly element amongst the protesters then turned their violent attentions on the officers, punching and kicking them. Police backup inevitably became necessary for the safety of the officers being assaulted, and the violent element had at that point succeeded in creating the type of media spectacle they were seeking in order to get more coverage for their cause.

"Protest leaders with as much experience as Mr Minto and others in attendance today know very well that their right to peacefully demonstrate will be respected, even at the cost of some disruption to others, and police will make sure they are safe while they exercise that right. That's democracy. However police are also obliged to intervene to prevent violence and property damage, and to ensure the safety of officers who are trying to do so. Protesters engaging in such violence as a predictable media stunt is unacceptable," Mr O'Connor said.