Winston Peters - spittle-flecked dog whistling

29 October 2007

Claims of apartheid among those supporting the activists arrested in the recent para-military police raids across New Zealand are typical of Winston Peters's spittle-flecked dog whistling.

To suggest those protesting are doing so because some of those arrested are brown is pathetic.

Peters has a long history of racial opportunism and added to that history over the weekend. Previously he has attacked Asians, refugees and Maori rights supporters in race-based attacks. Last weekend's torrent of abuse from Peters is par for the course.

Peters was a part of the National Party in the 1970's and 1980s which regarded Nelson Mandela as a terrorist and regarded the African National Congress as a terrorist organisation. Peters has never marched against apartheid but has regularly stood abusing from the sidelines.

We are opposed to the threat of using the Terrorism Suppression Act and its amendments against political activists. This is the most serious threat to civil rights in New Zealand since the 1951 waterfront lockout.

The most surprising aspect of last Saturday's protests was the degree of unity amongst the diverse groups represented. We have not seen such a range of groups with such unity for a long time in New Zealand protest.

ENDS

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