‘Absolute chaos’: Posie Parker dragged away from Auckland rally in ‘riotous scenes’, Wellington event in doubt
Auckland #Auckland
Warning the video above contains offensive language.
Chaos erupted as supporters gathered at Auckland’s Albert Park for controversial anti-transgender activist Posie Parker’s rally.
A larger counter-protest was also taking place with attendees seen decked out in light blue, light pink and white – which are the colours of the transgender flag.
Newshub reporter Nick Truebridge, who was at the scene, said it was “absolute chaos” at the rally.
Truebridge said tomato sauce or paint was thrown at Parker as she arrived.
The scenes at the rally quickly turned riotous.
Pushing broke out between attendees of Parker’s rally and the larger counter-protest, and a small fight broke out as Parker made her way through the barricade to speak to the crowd.
The noise at the scene was deafening as crowds yelled, booed and blasted air horns.
Parker was escorted out of the venue by her security guards after being rushed and sprayed with water. It is unclear which side of the protests was responsible for this.
Also during the chaos, Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson was struck by a motorcycle that allegedly failed to stop for at a pedestrian crossing. She is receiving medical treatment.
A police spokesperson said officers were monitoring the event and the counter-protest.
“As soon as it became clear there was a potential safety risk to the event speaker, she was escorted from the area by police staff,” the spokesperson said.
“The role of police at events like this is to ensure safety and uphold the law, while recognising the lawful right to protest.
“Police as an organisation is well-practised in dealing with these events, and our staff work to ensure an effective response is provided based on the circumstances at the time. “
Pro-transgender rights supporters started to leave the park following Parker’s exit, marching down the street chanting “we don’t want you here” as cheers erupted after she left.
The general state of the crowd quietened down with a few cheers every so often.
The protests moved to Queen St where Brian Tamaki’s Destiny Church had also congregated.
In a statement from Speak Up For Women after the Auckland event, they said Sunday’s Let Women Speak gathering in Wellington has been cancelled.
“Keen-Minshull’s security team have advised her that they cannot keep her safe from mob violence and the police have declined to do so,” a spokesperson said.
“Speak Up for Women thanks Mrs Keen-Minshull for having the courage to come to New Zealand and showing up in Albert Park today, despite receiving multiple death threats and threats of violence in the last week.
“In the coming weeks Speak Up for Women will be gathering witness statements and laying a formal complaint with the Independent Police Conduct Authority about the lack of police action to prevent violence in what was clearly an increasingly volatile situation.”
Parker wouldn’t confirm this to Stuff, saying she would release an update on whether it would go ahead on Sunday morning.