Democracy undermined by spying

Monday, 21 April 2008, 10:12 am
Press Release: Greenpeace New Zealand

Auckland, Monday 21 April: Greenpeace is shocked at the arrogance shown by Gavin Clark, of Thompson and Clark Investigations (TCIL) after they were exposed for the second time trying to pay someone to spy and undermine the activities of the Save Happy Valley group. A group opposed to Solid Energy's expanding coal mine operations in the South Island.

"Political activism is a critical ingredient of any healthy democracy. It's completely inappropriate for a private company such as Mr Clarks to assume the role of monitoring activists, and implying that all political activists by their association are a dangerous threat," said Greenpeace New Zealand executive director, Bunny McDiarmid.

ENDS

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