I doubt that the world was watching what happened in Auckland this morning (it probably wasn’t watching in 1981 either), but anyone who witnessed what happened to Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, aka Posie Parker, saw a mortal blow being delivered to New Zealand’s reputation as a civil, liberal democracy where the rule of law applies.
A violent, angry rabble forced Parker to abandon a public meeting as the police stood by and did nothing. She was drowned out when she tried to speak and had tomato soup and food flung at her.
As predicted on this site, the real inciters of hate and disorder turned out to be not the so-called far Right but the woke Left – the same woke Left that tried to convince the High Court yesterday that they were the people who would be at risk if Parker was allowed into New Zealand.
Hypocrisy doesn’t begin to describe it. The English language doesn’t have a strong enough word.
In a perverse way, the trans rights activists have done us a favour by laying bare their hatred, their bigotry, their intolerance of dissenting opinion and their propensity for violence. The people of New Zealand can now see who the real thugs are and who represents the threat to public order.
The people who profess to embrace inclusion and diversity are in fact pathologically hostile to anyone who challenges their world view. As they showed today, they don’t hesitate to use force, numbers and intimidation to silence their opponents.
Auckland Pride festival organiser Max Tweedie and the gay Labour MP Shanan Halbert both told Stuff they were proud of the protesters. Well, there you go; say no more.
Tweedie even had the gall to say that “Tamaki Makaurau demonstrated its values today”. In fact it’s far more likely that the people of Auckland will feel shamed and tainted by what happened at Albert Park. They certainly should be.
And what of the police? They stood back as the diminutive Parker was harassed by a crowd of bullies. They took no action to protect her right to speak, nor the right of people to hear what she had to say – rights guaranteed under the Bill of Rights Act. They intervened only when the meeting was abandoned and a frightened-looking Parker had to be escorted through the jostling mob.
So – a black day for free speech and a wake-up call for anyone naïve enough to think the police would uphold the right of peaceful assembly.
To revive another phrase from 1981, this was a Day of Shame.
Karl du Fresne, a freelance journalist, is the former editor of The Dominion newspaper. He blogs at karldufresne.blogspot.co.nz.
Hypocrisy doesn’t begin to describe it. The English language doesn’t have a strong enough word.
In a perverse way, the trans rights activists have done us a favour by laying bare their hatred, their bigotry, their intolerance of dissenting opinion and their propensity for violence. The people of New Zealand can now see who the real thugs are and who represents the threat to public order.
The people who profess to embrace inclusion and diversity are in fact pathologically hostile to anyone who challenges their world view. As they showed today, they don’t hesitate to use force, numbers and intimidation to silence their opponents.
Auckland Pride festival organiser Max Tweedie and the gay Labour MP Shanan Halbert both told Stuff they were proud of the protesters. Well, there you go; say no more.
Tweedie even had the gall to say that “Tamaki Makaurau demonstrated its values today”. In fact it’s far more likely that the people of Auckland will feel shamed and tainted by what happened at Albert Park. They certainly should be.
And what of the police? They stood back as the diminutive Parker was harassed by a crowd of bullies. They took no action to protect her right to speak, nor the right of people to hear what she had to say – rights guaranteed under the Bill of Rights Act. They intervened only when the meeting was abandoned and a frightened-looking Parker had to be escorted through the jostling mob.
So – a black day for free speech and a wake-up call for anyone naïve enough to think the police would uphold the right of peaceful assembly.
To revive another phrase from 1981, this was a Day of Shame.
Karl du Fresne, a freelance journalist, is the former editor of The Dominion newspaper. He blogs at karldufresne.blogspot.co.nz.
9 comments:
There is a screen shot image of someone holding a knife to Posie Parkers throat. How bad is that?
I see a baying mob who must be completely insecure in their beings.
Politicized police, there is another big issue. Just following orders I imagine.
A shameful day for NZ.
Well we know our new PM, his party and the greens fully support this anti-free speech and violent mob.
What about our opposition leaders - Luxon & Seymour? What will they have to say?
If there is a resounding silence from both then we can rest assured that ALL our politicians have joined the woke movement.
I'd be surprised and very disappointed if Seymour doesn't speak out against the disgraceful behaviour that was tolerated, and very likely encouraged, at this rally.
I don't expect much from the other Chris though.
Posie Parker needs a public apology from our prime minister; but that’s not going to happen. Great article again Karl. Definitely a day of shame. Unfortunately, you are wrong Karl about the world not watching. GBN in the UK have discussed what happened in Auckland. Anslease don’t hide behind a pseudonym. Be proud of your opinions and views.
I have tried to be neutral with the trans movement, live and let live is my motto. But they have surely lost many people who may not have been anti or supportive but now have no time for the lot of them. I think there will be more anti-trans sentiment among the silent majority who all get one vote in October. Vote for a small party.
Labour are toast, National are useless, the Greens are pathetic and ACT will make chaos. From chaos comes order.
MC
I forgot to mention the Police. Politicised and soft, soft, soft. I hope one of the first things that a new government does is to replace the Police
Commisioner.
I agree that NZ's reputation has been tarnished by what happened yesterday. I'm waiting for the reports in the international media to see what they say.
MC
This certainly was a Day of Shame. I am now actually frightened that those people who protested against Kellie-Jay (and I can't find words to describe them), think it is Ok to bully and harass someone out of our country because they hold a different opinion. This behaviour is appalling and with no help from the Police (very concerned about that). Every radio station I tuned into after the event was thrilled to bits at what had happened. I am speechless! Thank you Karl, for your views. Good to know I am not alone.
Maybe the world - if any one is interested in NZ - will wake up to the fact that behind the facade of ‘nice’ New Zealand is becoming unsafe and socially ugly.
The World Happiness Report rates NZ as the tenth happiest places in the world. I don’t see a lot of happiness- race, gender, limp politics, claimed Maori poverty and I’ll health - I don’t see a lot of happiness.
I never thought in my 80 years I would see such an event as was inflicted on Parker.
Whether one agrees with what she espouses is immaterial, the fact that she was unable to speak and was in fear for her safety, is the main point.
These same people who prance up and down while having a "gay pride" parade are hypocrites of the first order.
Shame on them, shame on the police and shame on us generally for allowing this woman to be chased out of the country because she has a different world view.
I venture to suggest that her views resonate with thousands of people here but they are afraid of the woke brigade for fear of cancellation or even personal safety.
Sometime I am ashamed to be known as a New Zealander.
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