Disbelief at protest clampdown

By Naomi Larkin

Anti-Clinton protesters in Auckland for Apec are stunned at what they call New Zealand's lack of free speech, after they were arrested for calling the United States President a rapist.

Eight members of the Shadow. gov.com movement took their campaign against Bill Clinton outside the United States for the first time when they flew to New Zealand last week.

Their protests outside Aotea Square on Saturday and yesterday ended in arrests. Kenneth Scott, aged 50, and Connie Enyart, 62, will appear in the Auckland District Court this week charged with offensive behaviour.

Police arrested the pair - Scott twice - for displaying banners proclaiming: "Clinton Rapist." Officers confiscated the banners.

Group spokesman Bob Enyart said they had repeated their claims about the President at protests in 143 cities around the United States, but no one had been arrested.

"We really thought New Zealand police would uphold free speech," he said.

"We want to convince the public that our Government in America is corrupt. But as long as we have a rapist as the leader of our nation our country will only deteriorate."

Mr Enyart said the group were Christians who paid their own airfares to follow Mr Clinton to New Zealand.

Detective Senior Sergeant Allan Boreham said the group were warned about the signs and told they could protest, "but there are rules."

The banners were deemed to be offensive following complaints from members of the public.

Detective Senior Sergeant Boreham said he was disappointed that the group used teenagers aged 13 and 14 to hold some of the banners after the adults were arrested.

But 14-year-old Elizabeth Hayes said the world should not be honouring Mr Clinton. She would continue holding the sign until police made her take it down.