Well-known kiwis say NO to Tasers

The first comments are beginning to come in from well-known kiwis approached for their views on the police decision to introduce the taser stun gun into policing in New Zealand.

Campaign Against The Taser.Com is today releasing the first of these comments.

“These comments reflect the depth of feeling across much of the New Zealand community against the government decision to approve their introduction into New Zealand policing,” says Campaign Against the Taser.com spokesperson, Auckland barrister Marie Dyhrberg.

Several comments reflect the need for the police to rebuild community confidence after a series of high profile criminal cases involving senior officers.

“The best weapon the New Zealand Police Force has is public support and cooperation. Tasers alienate most of middle Aoteaaroa – NZ – kia te rakimarie, keia te manawanui – KAO TE ‘TASER”. Keri Hulme (Writer)

“The police need to regain the respect they used to enjoy in our society. Tasers will not improve the situation, they are more likely to exacerbate it”. Brian Turner (Poet)

Artists Nigel Brown and Michael Smither have focused on the use of tasers around the world as torture devices.

“To agree to the use of Tasers is to agree to the use of torture as police policy in NZ”. Michael Smither (Artist)

“The gradual dispersal of a torture device throughout our police force in the name of efficiency is degrading to all New Zealanders”. Nigel Brown (Artist)

The vulnerability of Maori to the taser has been pointed to by another artist.

“Maori will be the major victims of this weapon. Even so more for young Maori Men! Fact!” Mika (Artist)

“We are delighted with the support from these well-known kiwis and we hope the government will begin to listen to the concerns within the community which are expressed through these comments.”

Further comments are attached.

“The government has so far refused to even meet with a Campaign Against the Taser.Com delegation,” says Ms Dyhrberg. “It would prefer to shut down discussion about this critical change in policing practice. However we are determined to fight the introduction of tasers.”

We have not received a single negative comment so far from the wide range of New Zealanders approach as part of building support for the campaign.

A protest march has been planned for Saturday 19th August from the bottom of Queen Street, Auckland.

For more details of the campaign go to www.campaignagainstthetaser.com

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