Howard Broad - the Commissioner who invaded Ruatoki

"Howard Broad will be remembered for the raids on the homes of political activists across Aotearoa and for the invasion of Ruatoki on 15th October 2007" says spokesperson for the October 15th Solidarity group Peter Steiner.

"We hold Howard Broad directly responsible for the raids. It was Broad who gave the OK for the raids which involved over 300 police officers and it was him who briefed Government Ministers a few days prior. The whole operation was a grotesque attack on legitimate political opposition. The police targeted Tuhoe and tino rangatiratanga activists, environmentalists, union organizers and peace campaigners in a thinly veiled attack on dissent."

"Howard Broad now gets the 'honour' of being remembered amongst such 'fine' people as Commissioner Cullen, who led the invasion of Maungapohatu in 1916, and the military commanders behind the scorched earth campaign in the 1860s."

"Due to suppression orders, we can't even start to talk about just how dodgy this police operation was. However, 18 people still face charges from the raids and a trial is currently scheduled for May 2011 - almost four years later. The October 15th Solidarity group demands that the charges against the 18 defendants are dropped and the Terrorism Suppression Act be repealed" concludes Peter Steiner.

ENDS

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