‘No peace, no justice’
Bent on one knee, with fists in the air, protestors chanted ‘‘no justice, no peace’’.
The protest in Palmerston North was one of a number throughout New Zealand yesterday afternoon, a show of solidarity in response to the anguish, anger and violence spilling into the streets across the United States.
Riots erupted following the slaying of George Floyd, an African American man who died, handcuffed and pleading for air, as a white police officer knelt on his neck, in downtownminneapolis on May 25.
The officer, Derek Chauvin, was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
In Palmerston North, dozens of people protested in The Square and outside the police station.
Habin Choi, 21, put out a call on Facebook at noon yesterday and rallied together a group of about 30 people at The Square, at the Church St and Fitzherbert Ave intersection at 4pm.
She had friends who protested in California, some of whom were now in hospital due to rubber bullets, mace and tear gas, and others who were arrested.
‘‘I saw that there was a lot going on in the bigger cities like Wellington and Auckland, and I so badly wanted to be a part of those but I can’t being here.’’
Choi stood with friends from Massey University, and people she had never met. ‘‘But we are all here for the same thing. ‘‘As an Asian growing up in New Zealand, my whole life I’ve definitely been the victim of prejudice and racism, and its something that we need to be aware of. If we’re not aware of it, we’re not addressing it.’’
She said protesting on the side of the road was terrifying enough. ‘‘I can’t even imagine how terrifying it is over there [in the US]. Putting your life on the line to have your voices heard, for a better future.’’
At the police station a separate group of about 40 people stood in solidarity.
Teanau Tuiono said he put the call out to friends and whanau on Sunday night.
He said they aimed for peace, but with the understanding that protests and riots were the language of the unheard.
‘‘Even in our little corner of the world, we see and hear injustice.’’
Co-founder of the activist group, the Pacific Panthers, Te Ao Pritchard said when she heard of Floyd’s death she knew she needed to stand up and have a presence.
‘‘It’s important because black lives do matter.’’
She said Pacifika and Ma¯ori people experienced the same racism in New Zealand.
‘‘The racism and the encounters with police. Our mokopuna can not be raised in an environment where they are fearful for their lives.’’
Pritchard said she called on her allies to stand up, and encouraged people to find out ways to help and advocate for Ma¯ori and Pacifika people. ‘‘So our faces, names, and voices can be heard.’’