30 August 2006

Protest against taser trial start - Parliament lawn tomorrow

A protest against the beginning of the taser trial on September 1 will take place in front of Parliament tomorrow.

The participants will carry crosses with the names of those who have died after being tasered in the United States.

The rally will be addressed by Green MP Keith Locke and Maori Party MP Hone Harawira.

"We don't accept police assurances that the taser is safe," Mr Locke, the Green's Police Spokesperson, says.

"As we saw in the Police demonstration yesterday, it is a terrifying weapon that shocks the whole of a victim's body. In America there have been over 200 deaths, mainly of people with heart conditions or drug problems. We don't want New Zealanders killed.

"We want the Government to take responsibility for the safety of New Zealanders. It is not just a Police operational matter when Kiwis are zapped with a 50,000-volt terror weapon. The Police Minster should stop the trial, while a more thorough investigation into Tasers and their effects is undertaken."

What: Protest against the taser trial start Where: Front Lawn of Parliament When: 1pm, 31 August 2006

ENDS

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