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Allegations
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Five more people were
arrested yesterday in a running battle over "heavy-handed" police
action. The five protesters –
four women and a man – turned up at Auckland District Court to support a
fellow activist who was one of four arrested at the weekend at an anti-war
demonstration in Queen St, Auckland. Before the court
hearing about 20 people marched from Aotea Square with a mock coffin to
symbolise the "death of democracy" from alleged police brutality,
which they claim was meted out at the weekend. They were met by a
similar number of police, and the five were arrested trying to enter a
courtroom in support of Simon Aart Oosterman, who claims to have been
assaulted on Saturday by an officer while held in a patrol car. Oosterman, dressed in a
black cape similar to what he says was worn by a torture victim at the United
States-run Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, pleaded not guilty to a charge of
obstructing police and was remanded until next month. The 24-year-old union
worker was also remanded until November for a defended hearing of a charge of
indecent exposure after a naked cycle ride through central Auckland last
month against oil dependency, which he blames for the war in Iraq. Inspector Jim Wilson,
Auckland police operations manager, said the protesters were arrested after
being asked to leave by court staff for trying to carry small banners into
the courtroom. Oosterman said
afterwards they left their banners outside the courthouse, although he
acknowledged one woman tried to enter the room holding a Sunday newspaper
photograph and report showing a police sergeant holding a 16-year-old
protester by the throat. He said she put it away
when told by court staff that "political propaganda" was not
allowed in the room. The five were released on
bail to appear in court on trespass charges on Wednesday when the peace group
Global Peace and Justice Auckland has promised to turn up as well. The day of protest
continued when Oosterman and other activists left court and headed for the
central Auckland police station to protest about the five who were being held
there. Signs being waved
included "No to metrowater" and "No liability for ACC". But Oosterman said the
protest was about the brutality of police and there were "countless
tales" to reflect this. Official complaints
have been filed with the Police Complaints Authority and Police Commissioner
Rob Robinson. Another demonstration
was planned for Wednesday morning when at least one more of the weekend
protesters is due in court. |
