Occupy Auckland protesters refuse to give in

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Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:45p.m.

Occupy Auckland protester gets arrested

Occupy Auckland protester gets arrested

By Jenny Suo

Occupy Auckland protesters have this evening broken through the fences in Aotea Square that were stopping them from camping on the dying grass.

This morning police arrested 20 protesters for trespass and breach of peace and one for assaulting a member of the public.

They were forced out this morning, but this evening they've forced their way back in again, "to prove that it ain't over", according to activist Penny Bright.

A group of protesters - some of them already arrested once this morning - rejoiced on the grass where they had been camping on for 104 days.

Sixty police officers and 40 security guards arrived early this morning with a clear message - it's time to go.

Bright, a veteran campaigner, refused to leave her tent, so the tent went with her.

"They wont even tell me why I've been arrested," says Bright. "I've done nothing wrong."

Bright was charged for breach of the peace along with several others. One was arrested for assaulting a member of the public, the others for trespass.

But this evening they were back again, to the dismay of police and the homeless

"We had to get out of our f**king homes because of you," one angry homeless woman yelled, "because of f**king you. You know what, I hope they come in and bash the f**king lot of you."

Protesters say this morning has given them more incentive to stay

"I was prepared to say hey look, Occupy Auckland has had it's time occupying, we can move on and do other things, but not anymore," says Chris Glen. "They've made it too personal."

Witnesses told 3 News two more people were arrested tonight after trying to push over fences that had just been put back up.

Despite this morning's crack down, occupiers are still in Aotea Square this evening. They say they're not backing down and they've planned a march to take place on Saturday before those arrested go to court next week.

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Comments

28 Jan 2012 02:23p.m.

nick wrote:

Is this where my taxes are going? Paying for these unemployed idiots to spend all their time protesting?

27 Jan 2012 05:15p.m.

Taubin wrote:

"I didn't do anything" So, if you HAD a home, I could come and enter it and not be "doing anything"? It's called TRESPASSING you idiot. Get a job and contribute. I'm so sick of hearing all the whining these idiots do.

27 Jan 2012 09:41a.m.

Dan wrote:

@ johnson: the only thing EMBARRASSING is your inability to spell properly.

27 Jan 2012 01:27a.m.

phil wrote:

Time for the firehoses. Stop pussyfooting.

26 Jan 2012 11:41p.m.

AJ wrote:

Get a job losers. Become part of the 99% that contribute to the economy.

26 Jan 2012 11:08p.m.

johnson wrote:

i am so sick of having to see those people in aotea square evry time i go there and i go there alot i actually am imbarraced because so many tourists go there and i have freinds that are from korea and they thought it was disgusting that they leave them there where i think they should have been removed that is the councils land and they should be doubt with finacially and put away because they keep on going back the lantern festival is coming up and i always go to it with my freinds and i could nt belive that one of the green party accociates said that "if it is just for some lantern festival then it is just wrong to get rid of them " i thought that was so shameful thank you .