{"id":770127,"date":"2022-08-06T05:53:53","date_gmt":"2022-08-06T05:53:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asiapacificreport.nz\/?p=77428"},"modified":"2022-08-06T05:53:53","modified_gmt":"2022-08-06T05:53:53","slug":"public-health-patriot-protesters-march-onto-central-auckland-streets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2022\/08\/06\/public-health-patriot-protesters-march-onto-central-auckland-streets\/","title":{"rendered":"Public health \u2018patriot\u2019 protesters march onto central Auckland streets"},"content":{"rendered":"
RNZ News<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Protesters blocked roads in central Auckland this afternoon for the second time in two weeks, marching past the main entrance to the city’s hospital.<\/p>\n The Auckland motorway onramp used by protesters two weeks ago was closed ahead of another rally at the Auckland Domain today.<\/p>\n Aucklanders were warned to prepare for traffic disruption in the central city.<\/p>\n The Brian Tamaki-led Freedom and Rights Coalition gathered at the Domain for a “Kiwi Patriots Day and March” before a crowd of about 1000 marched out onto the streets about 1.30pm.<\/p>\n After passing Auckland City Hospital and over the Grafton Bridge, the protesters turned up Symonds St, before heading down Khyber Pass Road past the closed on-ramp and back towards the domain, where the crowd dispersed.<\/p>\n Auckland City East Area Commander Inspector Jim Wilson said it was a “peaceful protest, which police monitored accordingly”.<\/p>\n He said while there were no arrests or incidents of note, a review phase in the coming weeks will determine if any follow-up action is required.<\/p>\n ‘Balancing the safety … with protest’<\/strong> “We note the activity did disrupt traffic in central Auckland where some motorway on and off-ramps were temporarily closed by Waka Kotahi to minimise further disruption.<\/p>\n “These have now reopened and there are no further network issues.<\/p>\n “We would like to thank the members of the public who deferred their travel through the affected areas today and acknowledge those that were inconvenienced.”<\/p>\n Counter-protesters were also in the area today.<\/p>\n Two weeks ago, about 1000 coalition members<\/a> swarmed onto Auckland’s southern motorway, causing significant problems for traffic<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ahead of today’s protest, Waka Kotahi closed both the Khyber Pass on\/off-ramps — used by the protesters last time — and the Symonds St on\/off-ramps, although these have now reopened.<\/p>\n\n
\n“The police focus today remained on balancing the safety of all protesters and the public, while acknowledging the right to protest peacefully and lawfully,” he said.<\/p>\n