Police draw weapons on man in fancy dress
TV3 News – Auckland,New Zealand
Neighbour Blair Anderson, who had just returned from an anti-terror rally says he saw the incident unfolding and approached to find out how old the boy was.
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There was of course, a little more to this story… firstly, there was no fancy dress, it was a track suit.
Here’s how I described it elsewhere.
Just thought you might like to know that the ‘militarised’ Police did another “Glock” point and ask later to an under 18yr old. The offficer had this man in his sights – aimed at the centre of his chest. It happened right outside my house [50 Wainoni Road,CHCH] just after 7:30pm, 26thOct]. The young man was terror’ified.
The Police refused to allow an adult observer/advocate (it is a youth right) while the lad detained. I was under duress of arrest for asking his age. [I had volunteered after first determining the lad was under 18yrs.]
The senior Officer’s response was haughty and dismissive.
He inferred I was drunk. I was not. I had just opened and sipped from a small bottle of beer and then this happened outside my living room.
Had, in the very intense moments where the ‘occupation force attired’ officer was in ‘battle cry’ – fired and missed… it would have penetrated the bedroom of my friend Alister, at bed height. (four metres from the ‘offender’ and six from the Glock) This could have so easily become another Stanmore Road.
In this case Guns were presented within seconds of arrival at the scene, and while a Police Dog was present.
We should be lucky this young man was very passive. He was under extreme duress, he could have just as easily been irrational. It is understood that he had a toy ‘cap’ gun. He had not presented at anyone. He had been talking with a member of the public (actually Alister’s tenant) moments before asking for some directions. They were as surprised as anyone, as he was non-threatening.
I am reliably informed however, that the ‘complainant’ was an off-duty police officer who had been following this young man for sometime. There was nothing observable that would leave anyone with the impression this young man was anything but a teen… and despite the black and white track suit (unhooded) all I saw was a chubby faced bedazzled kid who would be more at home in front of a playstation.
Further, separate to and prior to this, the Police have been targeting protest organisers in recent days. Three persons peripherally associated with either Happy Valley or Demozone (Otautahi Social Center & Food Not Bombs) have been busted for minor amounts of cannabis. These are [now] highly suspicious busts, one following personal phone calls to organise ‘to pick up the gear’ [for sound reinforcement] for Saturday’s ‘global day of action’ minutes later… the Drug Squad arrive.
You know my field of advocacy and expertise.. this is seeding gross dissent amongst youth in the community. Very unhealthy Policing and even unhealthier mental health outcomes for those present. (recall, ‘don’t put a label on me!’)
Lest we forget, Terrorism and Drugs Issue are one and the same. You might recall the Woman [who lauded along with David Lange on Scoop], was also a British Cabinet Minister (and Drug Czar) who brokered the Irish [domestic terrorism] Peace Accord. She died November 2005. Her name was Mo Molam. Google her name and the word ‘terrorism’ and ‘drugs’ – [social implications of ‘terror laws’] We should be gravely concerned.
If you’re still curious, substitute the same search with ‘ Ray Kendall ‘ the General Secretary of Interpol. Or for even more informed insight on high level advocacy with a global perspective “Senlis Council” about covers it all.
There is a conversation we are not having… (in CHCH and elsewhere) Time to Talk this Mo’vember?Just be aware and be careful..
Blair Anderson ‹(•¿•)›
Social Ecologist ‘at large’
http://mildgreens.blogspot.com
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http://blair4mayor.com
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