GMW: Judge's Concern Over Pepper Spray At GM Tree Protest

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GMW: Judge's Concern Over Pepper Spray At GM Tree Protest

" GM WATCH " <info

Wed, 14 Sep 2005 09:26:31 +0100

 

 

 

 

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Judge Raises Concern Over Pepper Spray

Wednesday, 14 September 2005

Press Release: Global Peace And Justice Auckland

Wednesday, 14 September 2005

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0509/S00173.htm

 

In a Rotorua court ruling yesterday, Judge James Weir raised serious

concerns over police failure to follow their own procedures and their use

of pepper spray (OC) at a protest earlier this year.

 

Felicity Perry, Arthur Price and Simon Oosterman were acquitted of all

charges relating to the protest against genetically engineered trees in

Rotorua.

 

They had pleaded not guilty to charges of obstruction and resisting

arrest.

 

In his judgement, Judge Weir stated that police had failed to exercise

" tact, tolerance and restraint, and use of powers reasonably and

properly, [which] appear to have been more observed in their breach than

their compliance. The use of OC spray raises more questions than it

answers " .

 

" Global Peace and Justice Auckland supporters have had wide experience

of police action in protests over several decades, " said John Minto,

teacher, seasoned activist and GPJA spokesperson.

 

" We have experienced first hand police tactics which have too often led

to violence and disorder while policing peaceful protest. We are also

well aware of the long-standing, deep-seated, simmering resentment of

protest groups by the police.

 

" However the use of pepper spray in peaceful protest is a dangerous

escalation in thuggish behaviour, " he said.

 

Union organiser and climate justice campaigner Mr Oosterman said:

" Being pepper sprayed at a peaceful protest is the latest in a series of

personal experiences of police overreaction and brutality.

 

" The judge dropped all charges against us, " said Mr Oosterman, " and at

the time of the original hearing said the police had incriminated

themselves more than the defendants and he was going to send his

ruling to

the police commissioner.

 

" While politicians are busy fighting over the reputation of the police,

the police continue to use brutal tactics and restrict peoples' civil

liberties.

 

" My own personal experience over the past year, where I have been

grabbed by the throat in an illegal manner, arrested for whistling at

another demonstration and then pepper sprayed at Rotorua, smacks of

police

brutality, negligence and lack of police judgement, " he said.

 

 

 

 

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