Police keep close eye on silent marchers

A silent march by mainly religious families along Tamaki Drive in Auckland yesterday attracted dozens of stony-faced police - sending a message that Apec protests are not going to be taken lightly.

With 1600 police from around the country due in the city this week - almost a third of the force - nothing is being left to chance. Police have already given protest leaders warning letters.

In the march from Mission Bay to St Heliers, 300 people filed behind bearers of a large wooden cross.

The demonstration was organised by Catholic leaders, but other religious and pressure groups turned out, kicking off a week of Apec protests.

A public meeting will be held at the Methodist Mission on Friday night, a rally and march in Albert Park and an inner-city dance party on Sunday, and a demonstration on Karangahape Rd next Monday.

Father Peter Murnane, of the Dominican Friars, said it was challenging Apec because international leaders were not listening to the needs of poorer people, concentrating instead on increasing the fortunes of big companies.

"There are 100 million homeless kids in the world. What are they doing to stop the gap between the rich and poor from widening?"

He said small dealers and traders along with farming families were missing out on help.

A small group marched down Gore's main street yesterday to highlight opposition to the Apec summit as well as support for East Timorese independence.

The march was organised by the Catholic parish. Father Pat McGettigan said it was a call to put people before profit.

Aziz Choudry, of the Apec Monitoring Group, said secret security services were keeping a close eye on groups opposing Apec, as well as Maori and ethnic minority leaders.

He thought it probable that his phone was being tapped. He had received a letter from police warning that they "have an obligation to maintain law and order and to provide protection for heads of Government."

Helen Tehira, of the student group Apec Action, said the "intimidation" of security guards carrying guns might have put some people off protesting, but would not deter her and many others.

Professor Jane Kelsey, of Auckland University, said taxpayers' money was being poured into an event run by the rich for the rich. More attention seemed to be focused on upgrading leaders' hotel suites than on issues that mattered.

Prime Minister Jenny Shipley has urged anti-Apec protesters to consider the benefits of free trade and moral issues.

"Apec is providing a real chance for developing economies to raise their living standards, and to lift millions of people out of poverty."