Got Fascism? New Zealand does. "Terra" alert - to pass "terra" bill - DUer althecat Tells Truth

[autorank]

OK, so now New Zealand is getting it – fascism. Trumped up terrorist charges – people opposing the government who happen to own guns. NZ is one of the most open societies on the planet, free press, no war, but look at this:

New Zealand has never been a terrorist target but the authorities want to bring New Zealand laws into line with other countries such as Australia and Britain which have been terrorist targets.

DUer althecat, co-publisher of “Scoop” is right in the middle of it. On the side of reason and political freedom.


Scoop Independent Media

Link: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0710/S00224.htm

Monday, 15 October 2007, 5:00 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

Breaking News: Peacenik Terrorists Remanded To Friday

Report By Alastair Thompson

Four Wellington peace activists appeared in court this afternoon, were remanded in custody and had their names suppressed on firearms charges which are alleged to have been committed in Rotorua over the last 10 months.

The court appearances were attended by a large number of supporters of the accused, all of whom appeared to be at a loss to understand what was going on.

On the advice of the lawyers for the accused the supporters were not making any public statements, however it was apparent that they were severely distressed about what had happened to their friends.
By chance TV3 Link-Videocaught this morning’s raid at 128 Abel Smith Street Wellington, on camera. On the footage police can be seen breaking windows and storming the house which happens to be relatively close to the TV3 Wellington office.
Two of the addresses raided by police, Abel Smith Street, and an apartment in Symonds Street Auckland, are the known residences of groups of peace activists.

Each of the alleged offenders who appeared in Wellington is at present charged with several offences under section 45(1)b of the Arms Act 1983. Earlier in the afternoon Police Commissioner Howard Broad held a press conference Link-Video and said that the police were considering laying charges under the Terrorist Suppression Act against the activists.Police Statement

With one exception each charge laid in Wellington alleges that a relatively large group of people – a number of other people have been arrested in Auckland and the Bay of Plenty & Palmerston North – were “unlawfully in possession of a firearm except for some lawful purpose” in Rotorua on each of six occasions.

Charge sheets filed in Wellington alleges offending occurred on:;16th-19th November;2006 (with a semi-automatic rifle); 10th to 14th January 2007 (a rifle); 26th to 29th April 2007 (firearm); 21st to 25th June 2007 (rifle); 16th to 19th August 2007 (shotgun & rifle);13th to 16th September 2007 (Molotov cocktails & military semi-auto rifle)

In addition to the four arrested in Wellington . Several other people have been arrested in Auckland, Palmerston North and the Bay of Plenty and the total number arrested and charged is believed to be 17.
It appears a different subset of the 17 alleged offenders is accused jointly of possession of the firearms in relation to each charge under 45(1)b of the Arms Act.

The one exception to this rule among the charge sheets filed in Wellington concerned a single Wellington activist charged with, on 15th September , “being in possession of two .22 calibre cartridges except for some proper purpose.”

In Wellington the crown sought to have the proceedings for the four transferred to Auckland District Court so that all accused could be dealt with together. This application was opposed by counsel for the accused and Judge Radford said argument on the issue may be held on Wednesday depending on whether a fixture is available.

At consent of the counsel all four Wellington peace activists were remanded in custody to reappear on Friday 19 October.

Scoop understands that the section of the Terrorist Suppression Act that was under consideration is section 13 which makes it an offence to belong to a terrorist organization.
ENDS

[althecat]

1. Cheers Michael.. the story is developing very fast....

And is completely dominating our news here.

[autorank]

2. Amazing stuff. Tell them to stop this madness immediately.

We need a hypothetical free country to make Bush tolerable, as though we might be that way again.

Not many choices after NZ...OH right CANADA, but that's too close.

Good luck and keep it coming.

On Edit: Nice new statute, that Section 13...who defines "terrorist organization?"

[althecat]

3. Update: The Terror suspect mentioned in the OP has had his bail revoked...

... on appeal to the High Court. This is almost unheard of in NZ that I know of. Meanwhile the chorus of calls of human rights abuses and police excess is getting louder and louder. 40 hours and counting....

[seemslikeadream]

5. I'm so sorry althecat

that bush has infected your country :cry:


:hug:

[redqueen]

13. They have been opressing the Maori for... as long as they've been there.

Not everything is bush's doing.

[althecat]

21. Some truth to that.....

.in this particular instance its not really a government or even political attack on Maori and so is rather unusual. Instead we have a politically motivated move by an ambitious rogue police officer on the face of things. Assistant Commissioner Jon White who is leading the "Terrorism" unit has a history of media manipulation and IMHO unethical police behaviour.

In deciding to angle his attack on activists (many of whom are not Maori and are simply anti-war) he is playing a race card and potentially greatly screwing up the underlying fundamentals of NZ's political stability.

In choosing Maori as his target he simultaneously appeals to a "racist underbelly" and blindsides the fundamentally liberal government on an issue that they lack the political courage to deal with appropriately.

Its a reall screw up.

[eridani]

4. This is getting awfully contagious n/t

[autorank]

6. Bush-Cheney share their politics with the world.

Everybody has to acknowledge fear, the pathetic excuse they used here to pass all those laws people in power seem quite willing to leave in place.

Maybe Bush will get a prize to two - for his efforts in making paranoia pervasive. I think that Mayamar gives one of those.

[mod mom]

7. Someone from Palast's team told me several years ago that this was a world conspiracy.

I had asked if someone from overseas who rescue us from these tyrants and was told we were not alone with tyrant leasdership. Like a fast growing cancer it has spread around the globe.

[AspenRose]

11. No place is safe anymore, it seems.

:scared: Nowhere to run to, nowhere to hide. :-(

[CrispyQ]

15. Global fascism,

where real persons live under the rule of artificial persons.

http://reclaimdemocracy.org/personhood/

snip...

We believe that corporations are not persons and possess only the privileges we willfully grant them. Granting corporations the status of legal "persons" effectively rewrites the Constitution to serve corporate interests as though they were human interests. Ultimately, the doctrine of granting constitutional rights to corporations gives a thing illegitimate privilege and power that undermines our freedom and authority as citizens. While corporations are setting the agenda on issues in our Congress and courts, We the People are not; for we can never speak as loudly with our own voices as corporations can with the unlimited amplification of money.

[femrap]

8. Holy shit....k and r

Can't believe this is happening in New Zealand. WTF?!

[bonito]

9. Whats this about?

from the link

Commissioner Howard Broad said that police were acting on information that over 2006/2007 a number of people had been conducting and participating in training camps in the Eastern Bay of Plenty involving the use of firearms and other weapons
:shrug: More info needed.

[formercia]

10. What's with the SWAT Team uniforms?

I used to think NZ was the most liberal and peaceful country when I was there in '66-'67.

WTF, over?

[ananda]

12. fascism is spreading like a spore fungus

very contagious

[mainegreen]

14. What? Peacenik 'terrorists' with semi-automatic rifles and greek fire in a bottle?

??
x(

[loudsue]

16. Holy shit! Thanks autorank & althecat, for keeping us abreast of whassup

down there. :cry: I'm sick of this shit!! It's time for the people of the world to RISE UP and put a stop to this madness!!

:kick:

[Me.]

17. Predictions On Outcome?

If the people of NZ win, we so also. The reverse means the battle is enjoined.

[althecat]

25. If we do not win this one... then I am going to be very dissappointed...

Tactical mistakes by the fascists:

- They chose people who are too well known as harmless to get away with such a blatant fascist power play
- The stakes they are playing with politically - Maori Soverignty/Race Relations - are too hot for the Government to stand back for long
- The media know too many of the people they arrested
- Nobody with a clue beleives the fear crap - NZ is too small.

** fingers crossed **

[bleever]

18. K&R. Pre-emptive rights suppression at work.

Keep us posted, al.

[althecat]

24. Thanks bleever will do so

[eridani]

19. Last country (among English-speaking ones) that I would have expected this from

Didn't NZ turn down the Coalition of the Shilling opportunity?

[althecat]

22. Yeah it is very surprising from us here too...

However it is a small place and personality politics sometimes play a disturbing role down here. Have a look at my reply to RedQueen above too.. .sort of explains why its particularly unusual for us.

[autorank]

20. Kick to return our "safe house" democracy - NZ

:kick::kick::kick:

[althecat]

23. Thanks for all your interest and concern.

Will be another big day for NZ's constitutional framework.