Rubbish bags piled up on Kate Sheppard Place as police warn of 'deteriorating conditions' at the Parliament protest. Photo / Jed Bradley
Rubbish bags piled up on Kate Sheppard Place as police warn of 'deteriorating conditions' at the Parliament protest. Photo / Jed Bradley
OPINION
As the occupation at Parliament enters its fourth week, one is left to wonder exactly what the police strategy is to bring this health hazard to an end.
Today marks 22 days since "anti-mandate protesters" arrived in Wellington and decided to make Parliament's front lawn their home.
They erected tents, brought in food trucks, blocked roads and even started a day care centre.
A playground opened in 2019 to make the grounds more "family-friendly, welcoming, and accessible" is now inaccessible - thanks to those fighting for our "freedom".
They've built a treehouse in one of the large pōhutukawa trees, installed a new swing, and set-up a trampoline on Aitken St.
The protesters have even had enough time to design and print their own T-shirts.
The bus interchange has been closed for more than a week, with trucks and cars illegally parked up instead. Piles of rubbish are growing on the footpath by the day.
In the 22 days protesters have been occupying Parliament grounds, they've had time to design their own t-shirts. Photo / Jed Bradley
In the early days of the occupation, there were signs of police trying to shut it down.
On day three, 122 people were arrested, pulled one-by-one from the crowd as scuffles broke out between officers and protesters.
A threat to start towing vehicles amounted to nothing, resulting in an embarrassing backtrack from Police Commissioner Andrew Coster.
But then police appeared on the scene wearing riot gear. They started forklifting in concrete blocks, securing the perimeter.
It looked like there was a new plan. It looked like this could work.
Last Wednesday night however, that all unravelled, with protesters managing to remove one of the blocks and get their vehicles back in. In the days since, it feels as if police have given up.
Police arresting protesters on day three of the occupation at Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell
They haven't fronted media in a week – not since last Tuesday when an early morning advance on the site ended in violence. An "unknown substance" was thrown on officers and a car was driven at police.
It hasn't been complete silence - we get daily email updates, reiterating the focus is "de-escalation", pointing out how "unsafe" the area has become on a number of fronts.
But we all deserve better than that. Wellingtonians certainly deserve better than that.
There has been no chance for reporters to ask them what's going on. What is the plan here? Is there one any more?
Two weeks ago, Commissioner Coster said the protest was "no longer tenable" and police would be upping their response. That was after eight days of occupation. When did it become tenable?
In the last few days, the perceived lack of a strategy from police has only grown.
Two weeks ago, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said the Parliament occupation was 'no longer tenable'. Photo / Dean Purcell
On Sunday, protesters were able to build an illegal toilet block in the middle of the street in broad daylight – ironically enough, right outside a courthouse. Nobody stopped them.
Yesterday, the toilets were complemented with a shower block.
In police's latest update to media emailed last night, they pointed out they had successfully seized pipes and plywood sheets protesters were attempting to bring in.
Nice job, but a little late it seems. Why were they not seized before the toilets and showers were constructed?
Protesters building an illegal toilet block in broad daylight - directly outside the Court of Appeal. Photo / Jed Bradley
Seventeen cases of Covid-19 have now been linked to the occupation. The true number is likely to be much higher.
The Ministry of Health says that's because of the "reluctance of protesters to get a Covid-19 test".
At least three separate media outlets are now dealing with Covid cases believed to be linked to the protest. It is becoming an increasingly unsafe work environment for those trying to cover it as a major news event.
Driving past the occupation is all one needs to see how unsanitary it's become, and the ideal conditions it presents as a Covid breeding ground.
For now, police say they'll continue to maintain a "highly visible presence" around the protest, and conduct "reassurance patrols" so everyone in the city feels safe.
