In response to the seemingly never-ending Covid restrictions in New Zealand – some of which have been argued as being some of the strictest in the world – many Kiwis protested in the city of Wellington where Parliament is located.
Protestors could be seen waving flags, picket signs with anti-Covid phrases on them, signing the national anthem, blocking off traffic on some streets, and so forth.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was very dismissive of these protests.
Protestors returned today for a second go at it. However more police were ordered to keep the peace. Around 3PM things got heated as the crowd of protestors surged forward against a barricade of police officers, resulting in three individuals being arrested.
Reported by the New Zealand Herald, one woman was ‘pulled naked by the hair,’ and then wrestled to the ground and handcuffed. Police covered her in a blanket and then proceeded to detain her.
Protesters reportedly stated that “they are in it for the long haul,” according the Kiwi-based NewsHub.
Ardern, in another response to the protests, said the people have every right to be there and protest, but took a more neutral stance in regards to the police arrests, though leaning in defense of their decisions.
It is not unusual to have protest activity at Parliament, that is part of out democracy. But we do need to make sure that we keep that balance with people being able to live their lives, particularly those living in the Wellington region, or who work in the Wellington region; so that is of course what the police force are endeavoring to do.
Ardern stated
She also said how she wants to move on from this pandemic, and said it is a time for the protestors to do so as well, in a cheeky manner.
A week ago Ardern and the NZ government announced that the nation would finally begin to rollback some Covid restrictions, aligning with many other European nations, but still comparatively a lot less than others.
Ardern said that vaccinated Australians will now be allowed to travel to New Zealand and not be forced to go to a mandatory isolation camp first, and can instead self-isolate. Next week, vaccinated travelers will be permitted entrance to the country as well, and will also be subjected to self-isolation.
Currently, 82% of the nation has taken at least one Covid vaccine.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
Proverbs 29:2
Little miss psychopath has no intention on budging: she is loving every second of it. This is, after all, the nation that locked down over a single case at one point.
I also wanted to mention that final clip where she announced that laughable reprieval on restrictions. Ardern revealed what this move to a “new normal” looks like. Unlike all the double-talking European leaders who are pulling back mandates, Ardern makes it clear that that is just a façade, and the many restrictions will still remain for the long-haul.
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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You know, we’ve heard a whole lot about the Project Paperclip nazis the Vatican Ratlines & OSS, etc brought into this nation. The U.S. Maybe we should talk about how many New Zealand, Australia, S. Africa, Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Mexico etc took in? Or how many nestled themselves right into NATO? Russia. China. Makes you wonder what it was exactly that General Patton wanted to tell the American people so badly that he resigned his commission in order to be free to do it. And he wasn’t even a Christian…far from it. Whatever it was, it worried somebody….and MacArthur sure took the hint. John Birch paid the ultimate price…and the Chinese Christians Gladys Aylward was forced to watch beheaded for refusing to deny Christ for Mao. Now, here we are.