Comments lead to protest and information function

A group of professionals in Nelson is taking a stand against the Nelson Club, following a member allegedly making racist remarks.

A ‘‘Happy Hour’’ gathering will take place outside the club today from 4.30pm to 6pm to ‘‘stand up to bigotry and racism’’.

One of the co-ordinators, Debs Martin, said the comments made by a member and reported by Stuff had ‘‘no place in our society of today’’.

A club member allegedly made comments at a Christmas function last year stating ‘‘all Muslims will rape our wives and daughters and they are coming to take over New Zealand’’. A complaint against him was lodged by a member some months later, following the Christchurch mosque attacks.

The member is also alleged to have claimed there is scientific evidence that ‘‘Blacks have a lower IQ than Whites’’, that homosexuals have a ‘‘sickness’’, and that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is a communist.

Last week the club member announced his resignation from the club’s committee, but retained his membership. The club last Friday decided not to ban the member, but censured him. It also passed a rule banning members from talking outside the club about it.

Martin said separating sexes was ‘‘a real challenge in modern society’’, and to hide bigotry behind the facade of a businessman’s club was ‘‘beyond belief’’.

Meanwhile, the comments have encouraged Nelson MP Nick Smith to organise an information function at the club with the Nelson Islamic Society.

Dr Moayid Sherif, the Imam of Nelson Mosque and president of the society, will be a guest speaker at a luncheon in September.