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Nine arrested in defence expo clashes

Author
Karen Sweeney,
Publish Date
Tue, 10 Oct 2017, 4:46PM
Protesters and police clash outside the International Arms Conference at Te Papa (Getty)
Protesters and police clash outside the International Arms Conference at Te Papa (Getty)

Nine arrested in defence expo clashes

Author
Karen Sweeney,
Publish Date
Tue, 10 Oct 2017, 4:46PM

Violent protesters put people's safety at risk and disrupted traffic in a protest outside a defence conference at Wellington's Westpac Stadium, police say.

Nine were arrested and a number of others released on pre-charge warnings after protesters pushed up against police lines and blocked delegates entering the forum.

Protesters claim the New Zealand Defence Industry Association forum, which includes discussions on emerging technologies and cybersecurity, is a weapons expo.

Those gathered are connected with Peace Action Wellington, whose members are actively promoting further protests as the forum continues through the week.

Police Inspector Neil Banks says eight of those arrested were obstructing a public road and another was for disorderly behaviour.

Officers were forced to intercept when a group of protesters rushed at a bus carrying some of the 500 delegates to the forum, forcing dozens of police to form a barrier to allow them inside.

Drivers were urged to avoid Waterloo Quay because of protesters spilling dangerously onto the street.

Inspector Banks said officers would continue to respond with more protests planned on Wednesday.

Green MP Chloe Swarbrick was among the protesters and said it was important for her to stand up for change.

"I think it's really crucial we do things like protest, that we do stand up, that we do have those difficult and uncomfortable conversations because otherwise nothing is ever going to change," she said.

The protesters accused attendees of being "death dealers".

They've chanted "army of the rich, enemy of the poor" and "shame" at defence industry workers attending the forum.

Protest spokeswoman Jessie Dennis said the aim was to make life difficult for those attending the event.

"It's important to act and to target the drivers of war, those who make billions of dollars from killing people," she said.

"(Tuesday) is our opportunity to shut down their business, to mess with their profit and to ultimately make the world a better and safer place."

It's the third year in a row protesters have targeted the week-long conference, using it as a chance to rally against war, violence and weapons.

Two years ago, more than two dozen were arrested after 75 people, one dressed as the grim reaper and others holding masks of former prime minister John Key, locked arms to stop delegates entering the forum

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