Peace Activists House Raided For Assault Rifles

Monday, 15 October 2007, 3:35 pm
Article: Joseph Barratt

Peace Activists House Raided For Assault Rifles

Click for big version The search warrant for a Symonds St aartment – among other items the Police were looking for was a semi-automatic firearm
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Police have raided houses across the country arresting 14 activists they claim are involved in running “military style training” camps.

In a press conference conducted by Police Commissioner Howard Broad, he said they were largely concerned with training camps that are allegedly being conducted conducting “military style training”.

An early raid on an Symonds St apartment had the police arrest one person.

Click for big version

Listed on the search warrant, the items police were looking for in the Auckland raid included a Sig Assault Rifle, Army-issue field dressing, BB Rifle with laser sight, and camouflage paint.

Click for big version A police officer enters the Spmonds Street apartment
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According to a list made by flatmates living in the house, police took away items that included a machete, sleeping bags, and a newspaper.

Gary Cranston
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One of the flatmates of the raided Symond’s St apartment, Gary Cranston, said that six police raided the house in the morning.

He also said that while he was not involved with planning the upcoming training camp in the past they have involved teaching campaigning skills, media skills and there have definitely been no weapons.

“We are peace activists,” he said.

ENDS

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