Newsletter
Background
- About the Terrorism Suppression Act
- State Repression in Aotearoa / New Zealand
- Tūhoe: A history of Resistance
- What is the SIS?
- What is Anarchism?
- Tino Rangatiratanga and Mana Motuhake
- Why reject the Treaty? A Maori-pakeha viewpoint
- Land of the Long White Lie: The New Zealand Terror Raids
- Summary of New Zealand laws threatening civil liberties post September 11th 2001
The struggle continues
On Monday, October 15th 2007, more than 300 police carried out dawn raids on dozens of houses all over Aotearoa / New Zealand. Police claim the raids were in response to 'concrete terrorist threats' from indigenous activists. The reality, however, included heavily armed police terrorising an entire township. To date, no evidence of the so-called terrorist plot has been revealed.
Police arrested 17 indigenous, anarchist, environmental and anti-war activists, including people from Tūhoe, Te Atiawa, Maniapoto, Ngā Puhi and Pakeha. Police wanted to charge 12 people under the Terrorism Suppression Act (TSA), however the Solicitor-General denied the police permission to proceed. After four weeks in jail everyone was released on bail. On Tuesday, February 19th 2008, police raided further properties, arresting 3 more men. All were released on bail with strict conditions that same day. A woman was arrested on Thursday April 17th, 2008, and also faces charges under the Arms Act.
20 people are facing charges under the Arms Act, in a trial that could take several years. Although out of jail, they have very strict bail conditions that deny them freedom of movement and association. On this site you can find out how to get involved in local support groups, dates and locations of solidarity events are happening and how to make a donation. The struggle continues...