August 06, 2019
Adrenalin threatens protest kaupapa
A Rātana minister who has been leading prayers at Ihumātao says Monday's confrontation tested the protectors' kaupapa of non-violence.
Kereama Pene says a group was heading across the land to Puketāpapa mountain for what have been nightly prayers for the land when police blocked the way and split the protesters into two groups.
SOUL leader Pania Newton claimed an officer rammed her with a gate and caused her to stumble, something police have denied..
Mr Pene says police had to call on Ms Newton to calm the situation down.
"Some of our young people did play up. They broke rank. They started swearing at the police. Some of them have grown a very emotional and close attachment to Pania and the members of SOUL so some adrenalin and emotion kicked in," he says.
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