Three people, including former Wellington mayoral hopeful Graham Bloxham, have been arrested at a Venezuela solidarity protest in New Zealand’s capital.
Around 100 people were rallying against the US military action earlier this week outside New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) on Lambton Quay.
During the event Bloxham, who was attempting to film the protest, was seen scuffling with two protesters.
They were taken by officers into a police van and were driven away.
Police break up the protest scuffle in Wellington. Video: RNZ
Bloxham runs the Facebook page WellingtonLive and has faced controversy in the past after being arrested for failing to stop for police, and being told by the Employment Relations Authority to pay a former employee $30,000.
His charges for failing to stop for police were dismissed.
Last year, he also posted on social media that he was the victim of an unprovoked assault in Oriental Bay.
A police spokesperson said three people were arrested for disorder and charges are being considered.
Right to protest
The spokesperson said police recognised the lawful right to protest and maintained a presence to ensure the safety of all involved.
RNZ has contacted Bloxham for comment.
The group was protesting outside MFAT against the US military intervention in Venezuela, and calling for the New Zealand government to take a stronger stance.
Since the attack on Vanezuela and capture of president Nicolás Maduro, there has been one statement from Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters, in which he expressed concern at developments and called on all parties to act in accordance with international law.
The prime minister Christopher Luxon is yet to comment.
Valerie Morse from Peace Action Wellington said the United States’ involvement in Venezuela was contrary to international law, and the New Zealand government’s response had been “pathetic”.
“I think they’re obviously very concerned about their relationship with Washington. They do not want to antagonise Donald Trump,” she said.
Eduardo Salazar Moreira from Peru said the the US intervention was about oil, not democracy.
Oil, not democracy
“There’s always been imperialism by the US, especially in Latin America, but they’re going back to this older, more blatant, more explicit version of imperialism that’s way more active.”
He said New Zealand had a voice on the global stage, and should be using it.
“New Zealand does have a voice, and they should use it, because if we’ll let this happen in Latin America, and then it’ll happen everywhere, not just by Trump.
“It’ll happen by other superpowers in this new multipolar world that we have now, and that’s when we’ll be a really small country that can’t do much when we let that happen.”
A small number of counter-protesters were also present.
Nathalie Wierdak, who is from Venezuela, said she disagreed with the protesters, particularly those who had signs calling for Maduro’s release.
She said the protesters should have talked to people from Venezuela first before deciding to rally.
Protest not pro-Maduro
“Maduro is a criminal. He has committed several crimes against many Venezuelans. He has more than 8000 registered cases of human rights violations in our country.
“So I don’t think that it’s right that people who are not Venezuelan are protesting for us and speaking for us, and they’re claiming to Free Maduro who is a criminal and Cilia Flores who is also a criminal.”
Morse said the protest was not pro-Maduro.
“We are not in favour of a violent dictatorship, and that’s what Maduro’s regime was. There’s nobody here supporting Maduro.
“We want freedom and democracy for the people of Venezuela, we just don’t think that the United States’ involvement is likely to deliver that for the people of Venezuela. What it’s likely to deliver is a lot more hardship.”
Protesters and counter-protesters were seen speaking civilly to each other following the rally’s dissolution.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz
