I am ashamed of my country and fear for its future
"It thought they were going to crush us to death."
The last few minutes of Posie Parker's livestream. pic.twitter.com/Vz4YLsS9Wq
— Coronavirus Plushie (@c_plushie) March 25, 2023
Here is the full iive stream
That is anarchy and bullying https://t.co/sFjbl2We5v
— Sean Plunket (@SeanPlunket) March 24, 2023
MSM coverage
Chaos erupted as supporters gathered at Auckland’s Albert Park for controversial anti-transgender activist Posie Parker’s rally.
A larger counter-protest was also taking place with attendees seen decked out in light blue, light pink and white – which are the colours of the transgender flag.
Newshub reporter Nick Truebridge, who was at the scene, said it was “absolute chaos” at the rally.
Truebridge said tomato sauce or paint was thrown at Parker as she arrived.
The scenes at the rally quickly turned riotous.
Pushing broke out between attendees of Parker’s rally and the larger counter-protest, and a small fight broke out as Parker made her way through the barricade to speak to the crowd.
The noise at the scene was deafening as crowds yelled, booed and blasted air horns.
Parker was escorted out of the venue by her security guards after being rushed and sprayed with water. It is unclear which side of the protests was responsible for this.
Also during the chaos, Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson was struck by a motorcycle that allegedly failed to stop for at a pedestrian crossing. She is receiving medical treatment.
A police spokesperson said officers were monitoring the event and the counter-protest.
“As soon as it became clear there was a potential safety risk to the event speaker, she was escorted from the area by police staff,” the spokesperson said.
“The role of police at events like this is to ensure safety and uphold the law, while recognising the lawful right to protest.
“Police as an organisation is well-practised in dealing with these events, and our staff work to ensure an effective response is provided based on the circumstances at the time. “
Pro-transgender rights supporters started to leave the park following Parker’s exit, marching down the street chanting “we don’t want you here” as cheers erupted after she left.
The general state of the crowd quietened down with a few cheers every so often.
The protests moved to Queen St where Brian Tamaki’s Destiny Church had also congregated.
“Keen-Minshull’s security team have advised her that they cannot keep her safe from mob violence and the police have declined to do so,” a spokesperson said.
“Speak Up for Women thanks Mrs Keen-Minshull for having the courage to come to New Zealand and showing up in Albert Park today, despite receiving multiple death threats and threats of violence in the last week.
“In the coming weeks Speak Up for Women will be gathering witness statements and laying a formal complaint with the Independent Police Conduct Authority about the lack of police action to prevent violence in what was clearly an increasingly volatile situation.”
Parker wouldn’t confirm this to RNZ, saying she would release an update on whether it would go ahead on Sunday morning.
“I’m afraid I can’t talk about my plans at all. I’ve been advised not to talk about them at all with anyone.
“If it’s on tomorrow then I’ll make an announcement tomorrow and if it’s off, then I will do the same.”
Controversial anti-transgender activist Posie Parker says she feared for her life following a rally that turned riotous.
Parker, whose real name is Kellie-Jay Keen Minshull, held a rally in Auckland’s Albert Park on Saturday as part of her Let Women Speak tour. She also has one scheduled for Wellington on Sunday.
Pushing broke out between attendees of Parker’s rally and a larger counter-protest supporting transgender rights. Parker had water and what appeared to be tomato soup thrown at her and was quickly escorted away from the venue by her security guards.
In a video posted on YouTube by Parker straight after she left, she is shown being driven by police who were helping her exit the rally.
“I thought they were going to crush us to death,” she said.
She followed this up with a post on Twitter.
“For wanting to make space for women to speak I genuinely feared for my life today,” Parker tweeted.
“My activism is simple, we #LetWomenSpeak. Why does that make anyone so angry? We showed the world what happens to women when they try to speak. No one can pretend they don’t see the salivating misogyny.”
Parker said she may cancel Wellington’s rally after what she experienced.
Marama Davison is the co-leader of what can now be described as the Rainbow-Green Party. Apparently, she REFUSED to condemn the violence.
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is receiving medical treatment after being struck by a motorcycle in Auckland on Saturday amid the chaos that unfolded at anti-transgender activist Posie Parker’s rally.
The incident has been reported to the police, Davidson’s fellow Greens co-leader James Shaw said in a statement. It unfolded after the motorcyclist apparently failed to stop for Davidson at a pedestrian crossing, Shaw alleged.
Shaw said Davidson had been in attendance at the rally “in support of trans and non-binary human rights in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland”.
Davidson had stepped onto a Princes St pedestrian crossing when bikes kept racing past her, The Spinoff reported citing footage of the incident. One of the bikes appeared to then hit Davidson, forcing her back to the footpath holding her stomach – where the bike’s handlebars had struck her, The Spinoff said.
Shaw said Davidson was seeing a doctor and the incident had been reported to police.
“The Green Party’s commitment to non-violence is at the heart of our founding values. This news is upsetting and we are asking people to show care and love.”
Newshub has contacted the police for comment.
In an update, the Green Party said Davidson was now resting at home with whānau.
“We stand with our trans and non-binary whānau and we stand with our co-leader. Our commitment to inclusivity and non-violence is stronger than ever,” they tweeted.
Earlier on Saturday, chaos erupted as supporters and counter-protesters gathered at Auckland’s Albert Park for Parker’s rally.
Newshub reporter Nick Truebridge, who was at the scene, said the rally was “absolute chaos”.
Some sort of substance – probably tomato sauce or paint – was thrown at Parker as she arrived, Truebridge said.
Footage then emerged of scuffles breaking out as Parker was evacuated by security guards. Truebridge said the scene was “riotous”.
As soon as there was a safety risk to Parker, “she was escorted from the area by police staff”, a police spokesperson said earlier.
