Media Release: Peace activists to appear in court
Date: October 12, 2017
From: Peace Action Wellington

Nine people are due to appear in court tomorrow morning (October 12)
following their arrests at the blockade of the New Zealand Defence
Industry Association (NZDIA) Weapons Expo on Tuesday.

15 people were arrested for minor offences in upholding the non-violent
blockade. Six were released with pre-charge warnings, while eight people
were charged with obstructing a public way and one with disorderly
behaviour.

“We think it’s unjust that the police chose to protect the rich and
powerful arms dealers over the rights of ordinary people to protest,”
said Peace Action Wellington spokesperson Gayaal Iddamalgoda.

“They facilitated the arms dealers in carrying out their deeply
unethical business - a business which profits from and propagates death
and destruction all over the world.

“The police were very aggressive on Tuesday, with many people reporting
being physically or sexually assaulted. We’re concerned that this
represents a troubling police culture.”

The nine people charged are due to appear at Wellington District Court
at 8:30am tomorrow.

ENDS

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