Police chose to be hands-off

Approach defused ‘tension’ as thousands of marchers broke rules around gatherings

Police didn’t intervene in the Auckland Black Lives Matter protest, despite it breaking alert level 2 regulations to avoid creating “tension”, it has been revealed.

On Monday, several thousand people attended the rally, sparked by the death of African American George Floyd in the United States, but also in opposition to perceived racist policing in New Zealand and trials to routinely arm officers.

Under Covid-19 alert level 2 regulations, gatherings of more than 100 people are not permitted, and while organisers before and during the rally urged attendees to keep to two-metre social distancing, the sheer numbers involved made this near impossible.

As images emerged of vocal protesters packed into Aotea Square and later marching down Queen St towards the United States Consulate, opposition politicians said it was an “insult” to New Zealanders who had been following restrictions.

Police Assistant Commissioner Lauano Sue Schwalger told the their actions were based around ensuring safety and upholding the law, while recognising the right to protest.

“Police acknowledge organisers made an effort to ensure participants complied with the guidelines,” Schwalger said.

“For example, at the vigil on Parliament grounds, participants were provided with sanitiser and encouraged to maintain social distancing and, in Auckland, organisers specifically requested that participants maintain social distancing.”

However in Auckland, it quickly became “impractical” with the sheer numbers of people attending.

“It was an unfortunate reality,” Schwalger said.

Police have not commented on how many staff were attending, but on the day few were visible, with one patrol car at the front for traffic control.

In explaining why there was no intervention after the crowds got out of control, Schwalger said their actions were always “dictated by the situation presented to us”.

“In these circumstances, it was probable that attempts to enforce alert level 2 would have caused tension in an otherwise peaceful protest, without being effective to enhance physical distancing.”