Workers Party media release

The Workers Party has condemned the decision today by the Crown Prosecutor to lay fresh charges of 'participating in an organised criminal group' against 5 of the social justice activists arrested in last year's so-called 'anti-terror' raids.

"Having failed to make the terrorism charges stick, the NZ Police and Crown Prosecution are now trying to smear these Tûhoe and social justice activists as nothing more than a criminal gang," said Workers Party national organiser and list candidate Tim Bowron.

"The real criminal gang here are the members of the NZ Police force who last October terrorised the people of Ruatoki, and who continue to act as the hired thugs of the ruling class on a daily basis in this country by routinely breaking up union picket lines and workers' demonstrations," he added.

The Workers Party, contesting the party vote for the first time this election, calls for the abolition of Labour's "anti-terrorism" legislation along with all other laws that restrict working peoples' freedom of speech and activity. It also campaigns actively against all forms of racial oppression and inequality.

ENDS

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