Pregnant MP’s protest ordeal
Whanganui MP Steph Lewis and staff were threatened with violence in Wellington
They called at us ‘come out, come out wherever you are or we will come in and find you’. We were threatened with being lynched, hung, or kidnapped. Steph Lewis
Pregnant Whanganui MP Steph Lewis says she has “feared” for her safety after anti-mandate protesters threatened to lynch and kidnap her and her staff.
Lewis described her experience with protesters via social media on Tuesday night.
While she supported the right to “peacefully protest”, Lewis said what she had witnessed over the past few days went “well beyond” a peaceful protest.
“There have been a number of protests at Parliament in my time there. Not once during previous protests have I feared for my safety or been afraid to go outside the buildings,” she wrote.
Lewis’ office is on the ground floor. She said last week protesters walked about the building banging on windows to “intimidate MPs and staff”.
“They called at us ‘come out, come out wherever you are or we will come in and find you’. We were threatened with being lynched, hung, or kidnapped.”
During their time on Parliament grounds, Lewis said she had seen eggs and other objects thrown at children and members of the public.
Lewis, who is seven months’ pregnant, said others passing by had been “yelled at, spat on, threatened and
harassed”.
Protesters said in a statement they had tried to distance themselves from reported behaviour such as harassment and bullying.
“We are a peaceful movement and do not condone or tolerate aggression or intimidation. We have a dedicated internal security team to maintain a peaceful operation.
“We speak for the vast majority of the protesters present, but not all. Accusations have been made about threatening behaviour and we encourage the police to work with us on that to identify those involved.”
The unnamed release says the “communications” represents the views of Convoy 2022 NZ, Freedom Alliance, New Zealand Doctors Speaking Out with Science, Outdoors & Freedom Movement, The Freedom and Rights Coalition, The Hood NZ and Voices for Freedom.
The group claimed it had been “actively engaging” with police, including on traffic management, being mindful of public safety and wishing to minimise disruption to the people of Wellington.
Lewis also mentioned that when Parliament adjourned at 10pm, protesters were waiting at the exit for MPs to leave.
“Our staff and colleagues have had to be escorted to and from the building by security. Many staff are afraid to come into work.”