Delegates ‘roughed up’ in protest
Protesters claimed a victory in their bid to disrupt a petroleum conference that gave delegates war stories to tell for years to come.
Up to 200 protesters blocked all entrance ways to the New Zealand Petroleum Conference 2017 at New Plymouth’s TSB Showplace on Wednesday and delegates had to be smuggled in through side doors and back entrances, delaying the start of the conference by hours.
The protesters were highly organised with leaders communicating via hand held radios and others bringing protesters food and drink through the day.
Lisa England, who runs a shop next to the TSB Showplace, claimed protesters had been in her store weeks before on a reconnaissance mission.
‘‘They were taking pictures of the shop and the back entrance and I asked if they needed anything but they said they had what they wanted,’’ England said.
The protest was organised by a coalition of environmental groups, including Greenpeace and Climate Justice Taranaki. Spokeswoman Emily Bailey described the day as positive. ‘‘We delayed the conference by a few hours and some of the delegates were unable to get in,’’ she said.
‘‘We spent a few months planning and a lot of us have experience with this sort of thing.’’
That experience was obvious as protesters exploited weak spots in the security at the event and coordinated their movements to cause maximum disruption.
When a fence protecting the back of the TSB Showplace was narrowly opened to sneak in a group of delegates, protesters immediately hurled themselves against the gate.
About 8.45am police began to manhandle protesters from one of the access ways to allow delegates safe entry and their actions were met by coalition members jumping barricades and attempting to bulldoze police, despite the protest being planned as a peaceful event.
Police, who plucked up several protesters by their arms and feet, had to also wrestle with the cheering crowd as they tried to clear the area. ‘‘You’re hurting her,’’ one protester screamed. At least two arrests were made. By 12.30pm, the talk inside the conference between delegates was all about their battle through the crowds, sneaking in through underground tunnels and secret backdoor entrances of nearby businesses.
‘‘Hey, you made it,’’ some delegates congratulated others.
One conference attendee had dirt on his white button-up and said he had been ‘‘roughed up’’.
Another delegate said she was smashed in the gate while her colleague told a tale of wandering a basement tunnel.
Protesters packed out the front entrance by 12.30pm, slamming open palms against the glass doors and chanting songs.
Some blew bubbles and others danced.
Several delegates were watching from inside and smiled.
‘‘It’s impressive for New Plymouth,’’ one said.
Conference delegates were warned of protests via a conference app notification in the morning.
Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand chief executive Cameron Madgwick said that while the protest was expected it was still disappointing.
Conference delegates were to attend a gala dinner at the TSB Stadium last night but protesters planned to blockade the entrances.