Protesters try to storm US embassy in New Zealand

The Times of India ^ | Februari 02 2003 | AP

[knighthawk]

WELLINGTON: Anti-war protesters tried to storm the US embassy in New Zealand's capital during a rally on Sunday against a possible American-led war in Iraq, police and demonstrators said.

Protesters carrying ladders and mock metal detectors tried to climb over a 2-metre (6-foot) iron gate in front of the embassy compound in Wellington, saying they wanted to check the premises for "weapons of mass destruction owned and operated by the United States." But police who were guarding the embassy hauled them down and arrested 23 demonstrators.

"Those protesters who broke the law ... were charged with ... disorder, assault and resisting police," said police Inspector Marty Grenfell. Demonstrators and police briefly scuffled when the protesters tried to scale the gate, but the 250-strong rally was largely peaceful.

Protest organiser John Sarvis said he was disappointed by the firm reaction of police.

"There might be rogue nations in the world, but there is only one rogue superpower," Sarvis said in a statement. "The United States has the largest arsenal of weapons of mass destruction," he added. Washington accuses Iraq of failing to eliminate weapons of mass destruction.

[shaggy eel]

Tell the protesters to back off

,,, I'm not on talking terms with them Bob. Just for the record, is such a small number of them a worry to a superpower?

[Tennessee_Bob]

In my opinion? As a superpower, no. But at an embassy - well, that's another story. If they protest, that's fine. If they break in - well, that's what the Marines are there for.

[shaggy eel]

,,, it's all about publicity.

[Pilsner]

, our U.S.M.C. embassy guards "firm" use of force will be somewhat different than these pukes could ever imagine.

I hope so. I hope the days when Marine guards meekly hand their unfired weapons over trespassing pukes ended when Ronald Wilson Reagan took the oath of office as President.

[NZ_Patriot]

i'm not denying anyone's right to protest but it looks like the cops gave 'em a good pasting. good job. you hippy cowards.

[shaggy eel]

,,, yeah, cops don't suffer time wasters like these easily.

[Godebert]

"France has nukes and they're the only nation that has conducted terrorist activities in New Zealand - they sank the first Rainbow Warrior in Auckland harbour..."

You act like that's a bad thing. Any ship called "Rainbow Warrior" deserves to be sunk. Hats off to the frogs for a job well done.

[shaggy eel]

,,, the Rainbow Warrior I was simply nuisance value, nothing more. It wasn't a naval or merchant ship, simply a civilian ship with no ability to strike at anything or anyone. I'm not in agreement with the actions of Greenpeace, but if governments take these sorts of vessels out in this manner, who exactly are the terrorists?

[judgeandjury]

"There might be rogue nations in the world, but there is only one rogue superpower," Sarvis said in a statement. "The United States has the largest arsenal of weapons of mass destruction," he added.

It really amazes me that people like Sarvis have such a "tunnel vision" type of thinking process. It would be like me saying that we should all fear the police because the police carry guns. The only people who need to fear the police are criminals. The only ones who need to fear the U.S.'s "weapons of mass destruction" are those rogue nations who wish to do the U.S. and it's allies harm. Don't mess with us and we won't mess with you.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

These radical leftists don't think like normal people.

In fact they don't think at all!

[weegee]

Violent protest for "peace" BUMP.

[spitz]

What cretins, not only have these people taken part in an irrelevant and immature sideshow, they now have police and security records. Smart they ain’t.

[shaggy eel]

,,, yep, the downside of street theatre.

[spitz]

Auckland harbour is New Zealand sovereign territory, it’s also the home of the NZ Navy. Would you welcome French operatives into San Diego or Norfolk to blow up a ship and kill a crewman?

Green Peace were the lesser of two evils in this case.

[spitz]

. . . Helen would have been in their ranks.


How I would love to see the security assessment for the young Hell’n. What treat that would be!

[shaggy eel]

,,, ironically, she's now the Minister of the agency holding those records. There's a lot less drama in becoming a Member of Parliament here than becoming a taxi driver.

[spitz]

I can see the headline now.

NZ Security Services productivity up - shredding increased by 50%.

btw - checked that link, haven’t been thru it all yet, but interesting. Really needs a Forum though.

[shaggy eel]

Really needs a Forum though.

,,, exactly.

[Godebert]

"Auckland harbour is New Zealand sovereign territory, it’s also the home of the NZ Navy. Would you welcome French operatives into San Diego or Norfolk to blow up a ship and kill a crewman?

I thought that the "Rainbow Warrior" was the NZ Navy. Even better then that it was a greenpeace ship.