Chaotic scenes as protestors dragged from their tents

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Thu, 26 Jan 2012 7:13a.m.

Occupy protestor Penny Bright is pulled from her tent and arrested by police

Occupy protestor Penny Bright is pulled from her tent and arrested by police

Click 'view video' for footage of police dragging protestors from their tents

Police and the Auckland Council are once again shifting Occupy Auckland protestors out of Aotea Square.

The last tent is now gone with the two remaining protestors inside it arrested as Auckland Council chief executive Doug McKay looked on.

Mr McKay says the protestors are welcome back to Aotea Square anytime, but without their tents.

All protestors have now either left or been arrested. Workers are already fixing the grass within a fenced area.

Witnesses said early this morning that the square was “heaving” with swarms of security guards and a large police presence of up to 50 officers.

One protestor, speaking to 3 News from inside a tent, earlier said two of her peers have already been arrested.

“Police had lifted one tent with a girl in it,” she said. “I’m not budging.”

They are now forcibly removing the protestors from the grasssed area which they have spent the past two hours fencing in.

The protestors are not going without a fight, shouting and dragging their heels on the ground.

Among them is well-known activists Penny Bright and Malcolm France, who have been arrested with a few others.

Ms Bright was picked up in her tent and is screaming at the officers.

According to protestors council-contracted security company Red Badge arrived at the square around 7am and told those gathered they must leave or their property would be seized. The protestors claim "within a matter of minutes" tents, bedding and cookers were being removed.

Meanwhile, Occupy protestors in Wellington have had their request to stay in the central city rejected by the Wellington City Council.

Protesters had applied to stay next to the City to Sea Bridge until July 4. They had also asked the council to supply them with a building in the central city for occupation.

In a letter sent to the group yesterday, council chief executive Garry Poole rejected all requests and demanded Occupy Wellington leave, or the council will enforce bylaws evict them.

 3 News

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Comments

27 Jan 2012 09:24a.m.

ian wrote:

Just a damned ugly unemployed bunch of useless layabouts,who need to be shown the error of their ways. TRY A SIZE 9 BOOT.

27 Jan 2012 02:03a.m.

pigs wrote:

Very Democratic of the Council, do as I say or we'll hurt you

26 Jan 2012 03:56p.m.

Yvonne wrote:

Should have happened when they started! Take the dole away while they are 'not actively seeking work' and see how quickly their idealism disappears.

26 Jan 2012 03:29p.m.

Brett wrote:

While i respect the right to a demonstration in order to protest about rights i think their protest of 100 days went on way too long as they intended to set up a permanent camp in a public space.
I'm glad this grap has all come to an end and they've all been moved on and i find it a little bemusing to hear that the security and Police were provoking the protesters when they themselves were hurling racial abuse and insulting the police which really showed their true form.

26 Jan 2012 02:56p.m.

Jim wrote:

When Police ask you to move, you move! If not, you get RE-moved! SIMPLE It's about time

26 Jan 2012 02:47p.m.

Chris wrote:

Its about time these idoits were forceably removed. It was such an isore cant wait for these areas to be for public use again, not some ugly camp ground.

26 Jan 2012 01:53p.m.

Paul wrote:

What-A Shame. Too bad. Good riddance. I sincerely hope the 'Great unwashed' can possibly learn a lesson from all this. If only to stop them from 'living off' the genuinely contributing members of society, rather than bludging off them. However, I'm not holding my breath. Bludgers like these usually have their one-eyed blinkers on and learn absolutely nothing.

26 Jan 2012 01:41p.m.

SG wrote:

Good job, about time these bludgers were moved on. What a waste ot the police and evreybodies time and money having to deal with this trash. The same old bunch of no-hopers doing the same old thing - laying about.

26 Jan 2012 01:19p.m.

Sizemik wrote:

I'm afraid I cannot see the need to inflict a painful hold on a clearly late middle aged woman when being arrested by two male Police Officers. It seems to be a standard requirement among NZ Police . . . when making arrests you must inflict pain unnecessarily. Why does a uniform carry an inherent thug license?

26 Jan 2012 12:03p.m.

Baza wrote:

The police were professional but some of the security acted like thugs and most definitely overstepped any legal authority. No visible identification, except "red badge" written on clothes. I'm an independent camera man and don't like being manhandled just after getting permission from a police officer to stand in a spot. Difficult to prosecute, I just hope the council chooses a better company in future.