Peaceful protest against defence forum
People from around the North Island converged on Palmerston North, saying the New Zealand Defence Industry Association Forum was not in the interest of peace.
Among them were Levin mother Rose Ingus and 15-monthold Wilhelmina. Ingus said it was an emotional time to be at the march.
“It is so beautiful. There is a diverse group of people coming together.”
Climate Justice Taranaki Emily Bailey travelled from Parihaka to march.
“When you are talking about war you are talking about climate change.”
The Pasifika community also had a presence. Maruna Engu played Pasifika music and said he supported Peace Action Manawatu¯ (PAM).
“We are on the map and we do not want anything to happen in the Pacific. We will all be affected.”
The afternoon peace protest was without incident as a crowd of around 400 people walked from The Square to the Arena. Police marshalled the march with the assistance of PAM.
A large police presence surrounded the Arena where black netting had been erected to cover the fenceline.
Palmerston North City Council councillor Brent Barrett addressed the marchers and was critical of the forum’s presence in the Arena.
“What you see and experience here may well be the most fortified our city has ever been.
“Fortified against our own people, at the behest of a war industry centred in the United States.
“And so today, in our city, we see a complete lock-down of our one and only community sports hub — our city’s biggest built community space.”
He was surprised and disturbed to discover the Forum was being held in Palmerston North.
“Having been sent packing from Wellington and Auckland
. . . and that the deal for lockdown access to a communityowned venue was done before the community had any awareness or insight.”
Brent said Palmerston North was a resettlement community with 120 ethnic groups from around the world.
“It is inappropriate for the NZDIA to hold their forum here. First and foremost we are a people of peace. The New Zealand Defence Force needs to be repurposed.”
Many the Manawatu¯ Guardian spoke to were mothers with children, like Rose and Wilhelmina Ingus from Levin.
Police confirmed 10 arrests from the morning where protesters lay on the road and prevented buses from delivering members of the Forum to the Central Energy Trust Arena in Palmerston North.