Source: Radio New Zealand
Nurses protest at the Bridge of Remembrance in 2022. RNZ / Nathan McKinnon
The Christchurch City Council has voted against a controversial proposal to investigate banning protests in some parts of the city.
The notice of motion, brought by councillor Aaron Keown, was narrowly lost – eight votes to seven – at a council meeting on Wednesday.
Keown and councillor David Cartwright proposed having staff investigate and advise the council on using an existing bylaw to declare protesting off limits in some public places.
The notice of motion referenced “sensitive sites”, such as the Bridge of Remembrance, the earthquake memorial, places of worship and cemeteries.
Keown told his colleagues the motion was not about stopping people from protesting, but protecting places he felt should be off limits.
Keown said he was happy for staff to explore other sites that could become designated protest zones.
Protests were held in Cathedral Square for many years but the square was now “a little bit derelict” and that had led to the centre of town shifting closer to the Bridge of Remembrance, Keown said.
Cartwright, who seconded the motion, said protests had left the community feeling vulnerable.
Although the definition of sensitive sites was yet to be decided, Cartwright said it would not affect some traditional protest sites.
“If nurses wanted to continue to protest outside the hospital or school children outside the council chambers here around climate emergencies or the wharfies having a picket line in Lyttelton, it does not stop them,” he said.
Mayor Phil Mauger and deputy mayor Victoria Henstock were among those who supported the motion.
Councillor Pauline Cotter said she could not believe some of her colleagues were even considering supporting the motion, which she branded a breach of human rights.
Councillor Andrei Moore noted the proposal itself could spark protests.
Earlier in the meeting, veteran protester John Minto addressed councillors and urged Keown to withdraw the motion.
Veteran protester John Minto. RNZ / Nate McKinnon
He told the council the proposal would breach the Bill of Rights Act.
The Bridge of Remembrance commemorated New Zealand soldiers including those who fought to liberate Palestine from the Ottoman Turks in World War One and was the most appropriate site in the city for protests supporting Palestine, Minto said.
Councillors Melanie Coker, Cotter, Celeste Donovan, Tyrone Fields, Tyla Harrison-Hunt, Nathaniel Herz Jardine, Yani Johanson and Andrei Moore voted against the motion, while Mauger, Henstock, Kelly Barber, Cartwright, Keown, Sam MacDonald and Mark Peters voted for it.
Tim Scandrett abstained and Jake McLellan was absent.
Amnesty International criticised the proposal on Tuesday with director of advocacy and movement building Lisa Woods saying it was deeply concerning.
The right to protest was fundamental and while some limitations could be put in place, they were limited and should always be a last resort, Woods said.
“Protest is by its nature disruptive – that’s the point. It might cause some disruption to society’s daily functioning but only serious disruption can justify restrictions,” she told RNZ.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
