Police, protesters clash in Christchurch over "White Drongonia" law debate
Nelson, Drongonia
March 6, 2021 | Tracey Harper
Following a spate of protests through last weekend, Christchurch was today filled with demonstrators rallying against the debate of "White Drongonia" laws in Parliament, which were introduced by controversial Deputy Prime Minister Simon Baker. The Race Relations Bill 2021 seeks to officially ban the immigration of non-Europeans into Drongonia, launch Government programs to discourage miscegenation, and criminalise "hate speech towards ethnic Drongonians".
The Bill has sparked hot debate both in the streets and in Parliament, where its fate was heatedly debated throughout the week. MPs have now completed their submissions and are now voting on amendments to the Bill, with the "Race Relations Bill 2021 Amendment and Cancellation Bill" being submitted by Sarah Ellice with the sole intention of rendering the debated Bill illegal. Other submissions include those designed to limit the effects of the immigration ban and allow refugees into Drongonia.
Protests turned violent over the Bill's debate, as Police report that a group of "young adults dressed in black" approached off-duty officers at the edge of the protest cordon, assaulting one and attempting to steal the vehicle of another. Police say they were able to arrest the youths, but one officer was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure following the incident. Later in the day, improvised Molotov cocktails were reportedly thrown towards Police, with the effects being mostly nullified via the use of water cannons. Police were unable to identify the attacker or attackers.
Police published data suggesting that a total of over 15,000 arrests have been made since the first protests began two weeks ago, with many people being arrested multiple times. Social media posts from protesters at the rallies have accused Police of "wanton unfounded and illegal arrests" and attempting to violently disperse crowds. Christchurch Police released a statement via Peaker, Facebook and its website refuting the claims, saying that "...Police attending these protests have been following protocols to the letter..." and that "...all arrests made in relation to these protests are as a direct result of genuine illegal activity on the part of protesters."
Tensions may escalate tomorrow as protesters have promised to march to Parliament and sit in overnight, meeting MPs as they arrive for the week on Monday morning. Police have responded to these posts with a warning that "...any protesters found to be vandalising and/or breaching the peace on Parliament grounds will be arrested and charged under the Counter-Terroism Act 2010." The maximum sentence for individuals charged with high-level terrorism is the death penalty, although this has not been delivered as a sentence for terrorism since 1988.
Neither Prime Minister Bill English or Deputy Prime Minister Simon Baker could be reached for comment.
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