"Today members of Auckland Peace Action locked the gates of the SAS base in Papakura in order to prevent NZ troops from killing more innocent civilians. The activists staged a dramatic action outside the SAS Base to demand justice for the people killed in Afghanistan, and an end to New Zealand's involvement there. Activists have placed six shrouded mannequins on the driveway entrance as a symbol of each one of the people killed in the villages of Naik and Khak Khuday Dad." said APA spokesperson Virginia Lambert

"The revelations in Hit and Run, the new book by Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson about a SAS raid on the two Afghan villages that resulted in the murder of six innocent people, are disgusting. The violent revenge and rage unleashed on these people is incomprehensible."

"It is essential that we have an independent inquiry. But an inquiry is not enough. New Zealand troops must be withdrawn immediately from Afghanistan. The NZDF has been fighting there for more than 15 years. Even people inside the Defence Force know that this war is effectively an indefensible military occupation by the US and its allies."

"If Bill English thinks that this is just going to go away, or that the NZDF can simply investigate itself, he has another thing coming. The people of New Zealand do not want the military involved in war crimes and civilian murders, and will not stand for this to be swept under the carpet."

"What started as a poorly conceived and vicious response to the attacks of September 11, 2001 has turned out to be New Zealand's longest ever war. These horrific raids aren't even the first time the SAS has carried out botched raids, resulting in deaths and injuries. How many more people are going to be killed by the NZDF before we leave in 2018? This is totally unacceptable."

"We call for a complete withdraw of all NZ support for the US's endless 'War on Terrorism, and justice for the victims of the SAS's attack."

ENDS

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