Violent and irrational police at protest against NZ troops to Iraq

'The actions of the Wellington Police at a peaceful demonstration against the deployment of New Zealand troops to Iraq sent today were violent and completely irrational' said Peace Action Wellington member Valerie Morse

'As we were preparing to disperse from Minister Marian Hobb's office on Willis Street, the Strategic Response Group of the Wellington Police arrived and were intent on arresting people.'

'The police could find no valid reason for arresting people, so they targeted people for chalking on the footpath.'

The police ripped the tendons in a woman's arm, smashed camera equipment, hit a protestor in the face, and needlessly arrested 8 people.

'This is the ugly face of the Labour government when NZ contributions to the invasion of Iraq and our role as free trade cheerleader is challenged.'

'There are some serious questions about Police behaviour as well as the Government's intolerance of any dissent from their view that need to be asked.'

Peace Action Wellington is demanding a complete end to all support for USA military occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan.

© Scoop Media