A large crowd gathers in Auckland’s Aotea Square to protest against the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza.
Video / Alex Burton
Thousands of people have gathered in Aotea Square this afternoon, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, while a vigil was also held elsewhere in Auckland to remember those taken hostage by Hamas.
Today’s rally comes after close to 300 protestors gathered yesterday at the Museum Reserve in Dunedin before marching on the Octagon, chanting and wielding placards and Palestinian and Tino Rangatiratanga flags.
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) spokesperson Rinad Tamimi, who spent her childhood in Gaza, said yesterday she had seen the numbers attending the Dunedin rallies double each week.
“That on its own shows me the support, it shows me the solidarity, it shows me that we are not alone and that everyone is actually starting to wake up and starting to care for humanity,” Tamimi said.
Hundreds of people have gathered in Aotea Square today. Photo / Alex Burton
A police statement said they would be visible across Auckland City this weekend, with a number of events taking place in relation to the conflict in Gaza.
“Our role is to uphold the peace and ensure public safety. Police have been in contact with event organisers and our expectations are that any planned activity is both lawful and peaceful.”
A march is taking place today (12 Nov) on Queen/Quay Streets. Bus detours: 11T, 11W, WX1, 18, 22N, 22R, 24B, 24R, 25B, 25L, 27H, 27W, 30, 70, 75, 76, 82, 105, 106, 195, 295, 309, 755, 923, NX2, CITY LINK, OUTER/INNER LINKS, TMK, Rail Buses Check Live Departures before traveling. pic.twitter.com/w9Gdz6O8BF
— Auckland Transport Travel Alerts (@AT_TravelAlerts) November 12, 2023
Today, the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa called on outgoing Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and PM-elect Christopher Luxon to join France and other countries in demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Chair John Minto said many countries had now called for a ceasefire and New Zealand must join this growing chorus.
“How much longer will this slaughter of innocents continue before our political leaders we speak out? It is unconscionable that we could remain silent,” Minto said.
A vigil was also held in Auckland today for those taken hostage by the Islamist terror group Hamas during its attack on Israel on October 7.
The crowd in Aotea Square today, calling for a ceasefire. Photo / Alex Burton
Earlier this week, pro-Palestine protesters covered the lights at Auckland Museum with red and green cellophane and illuminated the building in the colours of the Palestine flag last night.
The protest was attended by around 100 people, who were encouraged to “bring keffiyehs, flags, cars, posters and voices” in a social media post that went up shortly before the gathering in front of the Auckland Museum.
A social media post showed Auckland's War Memorial Museum with the colours of the Palestine flag.
The covering of the lights in red and green came after the Auckland Museum illuminated the same lights blue and white in support of Israel on October 15. This drew criticism, with pro-Palestine supporters “blacking out” the museum lights.
“We wanted this to be an expression of hope for peace - our approach was wrong, and I personally apologise for the distress and hurt caused to members of our community,” Reeves said at the time.
Today’s protest follows demonstrations in London overnight, which saw pro-Palestinian protesters clash with far-right counter-protesters, who also fought with police.
The Metropolitan Police said they also detained a “breakaway group of around 150 people from the pro-Palestinian demonstration” who were firing fireworks and many wearing face coverings.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed concern that the protests could spill over into tomorrow, when King Charles III and the prime ministers of Commonwealth nations will lay wreaths at the national war memorial, known as the Cenotaph.
It also follows ugly scenes in Melbourne on Friday which saw a synagogue evacuated and a burger shop burned down as pro-Palestine protesters clashed with pro-Israel supporters near Princes Park, The Age reported.
Officers have detained a breakaway group of around 150 people from the pro-Palestinian demonstration in Grosvenor Place.
The group were firing fireworks and many are wearing face coverings. Officers are using their Section 60 and 60AA powers to detain and search those involved. pic.twitter.com/4P1yzpFQcD
