First modification:
The New Zealand Police put an end to the protest against the mandatory vaccination for Covid-19 on March 2, a demonstration that has taken over areas of the capital for the last three weeks. The authorities arrested at least 65 people and dismantled a camp set up in front of Parliament.
Amid arrests, fires in several tents and clashes between protesters and the Police, three weeks of protests near the New Zealand Parliament ended.
Protesters rejecting the Covid-19 vaccination mandate were evicted from the area shortly after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reiterated that it was time to end the mobilization.
“It was an attack on our frontline police, it was an attack on our Parliament, it was an attack on our values and it was wrong,” Ardern said of the demonstration at a news conference.
The government leader assured that the authorities proceeded after extending the deadline for the activists to withdraw, adding that the protest was fueled by misinformation and conspiracy theories.
“It was an illegal occupation, they have had hostile, violent and aggressive behavior during the occupation and today the disrespectful occupation of Parliament’s premises has culminated,” Ardern added.
At least 65 people were arrested
According to the Police, 65 people were arrested this Wednesday, March 2, for trespassing, deliberate damage and possession of restricted weapons. In addition, three police officers were injured and 50 vehicles were detained by the authorities.
While some protesters packed their tents and left, others defied orders and threw water bottles, fire extinguishers and chairs, and insulted the security forces, the government described.
Police reported that they eventually used rubber bullets to drive off the remaining protesters. They also used pepper spray before seizing control of the grounds and streets around Parliament House in Wellington to end the protest.
Inspired by Canada’s “Freedom Convoy” protest, hundreds of New Zealanders blocked streets with trucks, cars and motorcycles, leading to clashes.
The protest in Wellington began as a rejection of the mandatory vaccination requirement, but was later joined by groups calling for an end to all restrictions related to the pandemic.
“We are fighting for our standard of living. We want our sovereign right to decide about our bodies,” said protester Kate Siegert, who said she joined the mobilization after refusing antidotes, which is why she lost her job, as it is a requirement for those who work in the area of Health.
Although New Zealand only has five million inhabitants, its strong measures against the pandemic have limited the number of infections to around 118,000 and 56 deaths, well below the figures of other developed nations, including those with low populations.
According to official figures, around 95% of eligible people have received at least two doses of the immunization injections.
With Reuters and EFE
First modification:
The New Zealand Police put an end to the protest against the mandatory vaccination for Covid-19 on March 2, a demonstration that has taken over areas of the capital for the last three weeks. The authorities arrested at least 65 people and dismantled a camp set up in front of Parliament.
Amid arrests, fires in several tents and clashes between protesters and the Police, three weeks of protests near the New Zealand Parliament ended.
Protesters rejecting the Covid-19 vaccination mandate were evicted from the area shortly after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reiterated that it was time to end the mobilization.
“It was an attack on our frontline police, it was an attack on our Parliament, it was an attack on our values and it was wrong,” Ardern said of the demonstration at a news conference.
The government leader assured that the authorities proceeded after extending the deadline for the activists to withdraw, adding that the protest was fueled by misinformation and conspiracy theories.
“It was an illegal occupation, they have had hostile, violent and aggressive behavior during the occupation and today the disrespectful occupation of Parliament’s premises has culminated,” Ardern added.
At least 65 people were arrested
According to the Police, 65 people were arrested this Wednesday, March 2, for trespassing, deliberate damage and possession of restricted weapons. In addition, three police officers were injured and 50 vehicles were detained by the authorities.
While some protesters packed their tents and left, others defied orders and threw water bottles, fire extinguishers and chairs, and insulted the security forces, the government described.
Police reported that they eventually used rubber bullets to drive off the remaining protesters. They also used pepper spray before seizing control of the grounds and streets around Parliament House in Wellington to end the protest.
Inspired by Canada’s “Freedom Convoy” protest, hundreds of New Zealanders blocked streets with trucks, cars and motorcycles, leading to clashes.
The protest in Wellington began as a rejection of the mandatory vaccination requirement, but was later joined by groups calling for an end to all restrictions related to the pandemic.
“We are fighting for our standard of living. We want our sovereign right to decide about our bodies,” said protester Kate Siegert, who said she joined the mobilization after refusing antidotes, which is why she lost her job, as it is a requirement for those who work in the area of Health.
Although New Zealand only has five million inhabitants, its strong measures against the pandemic have limited the number of infections to around 118,000 and 56 deaths, well below the figures of other developed nations, including those with low populations.
According to official figures, around 95% of eligible people have received at least two doses of the immunization injections.
With Reuters and EFE
First modification:
The New Zealand Police put an end to the protest against the mandatory vaccination for Covid-19 on March 2, a demonstration that has taken over areas of the capital for the last three weeks. The authorities arrested at least 65 people and dismantled a camp set up in front of Parliament.
Amid arrests, fires in several tents and clashes between protesters and the Police, three weeks of protests near the New Zealand Parliament ended.
Protesters rejecting the Covid-19 vaccination mandate were evicted from the area shortly after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reiterated that it was time to end the mobilization.
“It was an attack on our frontline police, it was an attack on our Parliament, it was an attack on our values and it was wrong,” Ardern said of the demonstration at a news conference.
The government leader assured that the authorities proceeded after extending the deadline for the activists to withdraw, adding that the protest was fueled by misinformation and conspiracy theories.
“It was an illegal occupation, they have had hostile, violent and aggressive behavior during the occupation and today the disrespectful occupation of Parliament’s premises has culminated,” Ardern added.
At least 65 people were arrested
According to the Police, 65 people were arrested this Wednesday, March 2, for trespassing, deliberate damage and possession of restricted weapons. In addition, three police officers were injured and 50 vehicles were detained by the authorities.
While some protesters packed their tents and left, others defied orders and threw water bottles, fire extinguishers and chairs, and insulted the security forces, the government described.
Police reported that they eventually used rubber bullets to drive off the remaining protesters. They also used pepper spray before seizing control of the grounds and streets around Parliament House in Wellington to end the protest.
Inspired by Canada’s “Freedom Convoy” protest, hundreds of New Zealanders blocked streets with trucks, cars and motorcycles, leading to clashes.
The protest in Wellington began as a rejection of the mandatory vaccination requirement, but was later joined by groups calling for an end to all restrictions related to the pandemic.
“We are fighting for our standard of living. We want our sovereign right to decide about our bodies,” said protester Kate Siegert, who said she joined the mobilization after refusing antidotes, which is why she lost her job, as it is a requirement for those who work in the area of Health.
Although New Zealand only has five million inhabitants, its strong measures against the pandemic have limited the number of infections to around 118,000 and 56 deaths, well below the figures of other developed nations, including those with low populations.
According to official figures, around 95% of eligible people have received at least two doses of the immunization injections.
With Reuters and EFE
First modification:
The New Zealand Police put an end to the protest against the mandatory vaccination for Covid-19 on March 2, a demonstration that has taken over areas of the capital for the last three weeks. The authorities arrested at least 65 people and dismantled a camp set up in front of Parliament.
Amid arrests, fires in several tents and clashes between protesters and the Police, three weeks of protests near the New Zealand Parliament ended.
Protesters rejecting the Covid-19 vaccination mandate were evicted from the area shortly after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reiterated that it was time to end the mobilization.
“It was an attack on our frontline police, it was an attack on our Parliament, it was an attack on our values and it was wrong,” Ardern said of the demonstration at a news conference.
The government leader assured that the authorities proceeded after extending the deadline for the activists to withdraw, adding that the protest was fueled by misinformation and conspiracy theories.
“It was an illegal occupation, they have had hostile, violent and aggressive behavior during the occupation and today the disrespectful occupation of Parliament’s premises has culminated,” Ardern added.
At least 65 people were arrested
According to the Police, 65 people were arrested this Wednesday, March 2, for trespassing, deliberate damage and possession of restricted weapons. In addition, three police officers were injured and 50 vehicles were detained by the authorities.
While some protesters packed their tents and left, others defied orders and threw water bottles, fire extinguishers and chairs, and insulted the security forces, the government described.
Police reported that they eventually used rubber bullets to drive off the remaining protesters. They also used pepper spray before seizing control of the grounds and streets around Parliament House in Wellington to end the protest.
Inspired by Canada’s “Freedom Convoy” protest, hundreds of New Zealanders blocked streets with trucks, cars and motorcycles, leading to clashes.
The protest in Wellington began as a rejection of the mandatory vaccination requirement, but was later joined by groups calling for an end to all restrictions related to the pandemic.
“We are fighting for our standard of living. We want our sovereign right to decide about our bodies,” said protester Kate Siegert, who said she joined the mobilization after refusing antidotes, which is why she lost her job, as it is a requirement for those who work in the area of Health.
Although New Zealand only has five million inhabitants, its strong measures against the pandemic have limited the number of infections to around 118,000 and 56 deaths, well below the figures of other developed nations, including those with low populations.
According to official figures, around 95% of eligible people have received at least two doses of the immunization injections.
With Reuters and EFE