Protesters’ case in Wellington
NELSON: A couple charged in relation to the violent final day of antimandate protests at Parliament have chosen to take their case back to Wellington.
The Golden Bay pair, arrested last week, appeared in the Nelson District Court yesterday and were remanded without plea.
They were also granted interim name suppression for several reasons, including their safety and to allow more time to explore the strength of evidence.
Violence erupted on March 2 as police moved into Parliament grounds to remove protesters’ tents and vehicles in a bid to return the space to Wellingtonians after 23 days of occupation.
Many protesters refused to leave, despite being warned they were trespassing and risked being arrested.
A large number reacted by lighting fires, tearing up paving bricks and throwing them at police officers, who managed to retake the grounds that day.
Police last week arrested and charged a 29yearold man with intentional damage and doing a dangerous act with intent — both of which related to the fires lit on
Parliament grounds.
A 29yearold woman was also charged with doing a dangerous act with intent and rioting.
Duty lawyer Ian Miller said yesterday the pair, who lived as a couple but were charged separately, had engaged a Wellington lawyer to act for them.
Judge Jo Rielly said in response to the request for name suppression she had to be satisfied there was an arguable case concerning the reasons.
Mr Miller said the charges arose from an event involving a large number of people, and time was needed to gather evidence. He said public exposure at this point would also constitute ‘‘significant hardship’’, but as duty lawyer he did not have a great deal of instruction.
Judge Rielly noted because they were unable to travel back and forth due to cost, they were advised to sort matters early ahead of their next scheduled appearance via audiovisual link.
The pair were remanded on bail to June 13, with conditions including they not travel to Wellington, except to attend court. —