As police break up camp, New Zealand protesters set fires on Parliament grounds.
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND — Thick black smoke billowed across the grounds of New Zealand’s Parliament and sirens blared on Wednesday as retreating protesters against coronavirus vaccine mandates set fire to tents, mattresses and chairs.
“I was both angry and also deeply saddened. To see the Parliament — your Parliament, our Parliament — desecrated in that way, and a children’s playground destroyed, by a small group of illegal protesters,” Ardern said. “But, as I say, it’s not something that will define New Zealand’s response to this pandemic.”
Demonstrators set fire to tents, mattresses and chairs at a protest opposing coronavirus vaccine mandates in Wellington, New Zealand, March 2, 2022. Police also towed some of the 300 or so cars, vans and trucks that protesters have used to block streets. The convoy was inspired by similar protests in Canada and has sparked other rallies around New Zealand, leading to a more charged political atmosphere.
Coster said some protesters had sprayed fire extinguishers and thrown paint at officers as they advanced, and others had used makeshift shields and barricades. He said a laser pointer was aimed at the police helicopter. “I was very clear of our approach, which was to de-escalate. There is no interest from anyone here of turning this into a fight,” Coster said. “However, this protest has tipped over a balance and it now needs to end.”Ardern on Wednesday said the protest had been fueled by misinformation and conspiracy theories. She also pointed out that COVID-19 had spread at the protest and some protesters had been hospitalized.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Zealand Police Battle Protesters to End Occupation of Parliament GroundsNew Zealand police battled antivaccine-mandate protesters, tearing down tents and towing away vehicles, while the crowd set fires and hurled debris
Read more »
New Zealand police battle protesters as tents burn, Parliament camp is clearedIn a dawn operation, police moved in to clear the camp and ended up in pitched battles with protesters who oppose coronavirus restrictions. New infections, meanwhile, are soaring.
Read more »
New Zealand police move in again on protest against Covid vaccine mandateDemonstrators on the grounds of Parliament “have been given ample opportunity to leave,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. “It is time for them to go.”
Read more »
New Zealand police make huge meth bust at airport, arrest 6New Zealand police say they have seized more than half a ton of methamphetamine at the border and arrested six people in one of the nation’s biggest drug busts.
Read more »
New Zealand police move in again on protest against vaccine mandateNew Zealand police made a renewed push on Wednesday to end an anti-vaccine mandate protest that has disrupted the capital for the past three weeks, dismantling an encampment outside parliament and towing away vehicles.
Read more »
Police move on protesters outside New Zealand's ParliamentWELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Wearing riot gear and using pepper spray, New Zealand police on Wednesday moved in on the hundreds of protesters who have been camped outside the nation's Parliament for more than three weeks.
Read more »