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Crowds of people could be seen disobeying the lockdown rules as they descended into Auckland’s CBD today to protest the Covid-19 lockdown.
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People could be seen disobeying blockade rules as they marched down Queen Street. Source: 1 NEWS
Thousands of people, many without covering their faces, could be seen holding Advance New Zealand party banners as they gathered in Aotea Square before the march.
“We are all here today because we believe in New Zealand. We are all here today because we believe that we must defend our rights,” Advance New Zealand leader Jami-Lee Ross told the crowd.
“We are all here today because we believe it is time to stand up and say, ‘We need to regain our rights and freedoms, and in this country of New Zealand we are at a crossroads where we can determine which way we go.’
“The path of more confinements, the path of losing more of our freedoms, or the path of greater rights and freedoms and that is what we defend.”
Under current Level 2.5 restrictions, meetings in Auckland are limited to 10 people.
A woman who was imprisoned for 14 days after she and her children escaped from a managed isolation facility to see her deceased husband for the last time was also expected to attend the march.
Today’s closing protest is a combined event with the March for Freedom and the National Rally for Freedom, Ross said.
Auckland dropped from level 3 to level 2.5 last Monday. The restrictions are expected to remain in effect until at least Wednesday.
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The Cabinet made the decision today, September 4, and it was announced by the Prime Minister. Source: 1 NEWS
Police officers are present at the scene and “will monitor the situation and respond accordingly,” Auckland City Police Inspector Grant Tetzlaff told 1 NEWS in a statement.
“Police recognize the legal right of individuals to protest, however, we also recognize the need for individuals to follow current Level 2 restrictions to do their part to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.”
Tetslaff said police “will continue to take an educational approach with attendees and organizers when necessary.”
