Brash booed, persuaded back to lectern at Auckland debate
AUCKLAND: Former National Party leader and Reserve Bank governor Don Brash was met with a chorus of boos and nearly did not get through his address at an Auckland debate last night.
That was until cheers of ‘‘Don’’ erupted and he was persuaded back to the lectern.
During a lively and often heated debate at the University of Auckland, a group of protesters ceaselessly jeered at Dr Brash as he began his speech.
Other people in the crowd became annoyed that he was not able to talk and gave him a standing ovation.
At one point a scuffle broke out between protesters and a supporter.
Earlier, about 20 protesters gathered at the university campus ahead of the debate, which was expected to attract upwards of 500 people.
Protest organiser Beth Stanley said they wanted to show Dr Brash his views were not welcome at the university.
But it was not only Dr Brash’s opponents who turned up.
Paul and Cathy Davie are a small, but vocal, counterprotest group.
The Auckland couple said they had bought tickets to hear Canadian altright speakers Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux, who were unable to find a venue to host them.
The couple sang the New Zealand national anthem and shouted ‘‘God bless Donald Trump’’ while the opposing contingent sang Maori protest songs.
Dr Brash was speaking in favour of the motion: ‘‘Has PC culture gone too far to the point where it is limiting freedom of speech?’’
Interest in the debate was so high organisers had to move it to a bigger lecture theatre.
University of Auckland Debating Society president Chris Ryan said the high interest showed the public realised the importance of freedom of speech and wanted to engage in debate and discussion.
Dr Brash was due to speak at Massey University’s Manawatu campus earlier this week, but university vicechancellor Jan Thomas retracted the invitation, citing safety concerns.
Prof Thomas has said the decision came at a time of heightened tension over free speech and hate speech prompted by the visit of Ms Southern and Mr Molyneux to New Zealand.
However, Free Speech Coalition member Jordan Williams confirmed yesterday the group was planning legal action against Prof Thomas. — RNZ