Anti-GM protesters arrested in Rotorua | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua
Anti-GM protesters arrested in Rotorua
Protesters and police at yesterday's demonstration at Forest Research. Picture: Kelvin Teixeira (300105kt3)
By KELLY BLANCHARD in Rotorua
What was supposed to be a peaceful protest against a field trial of genetically modified trees in Rotorua turned ugly yesterday with four people arrested.
Police used pepper spray to subdue one man who resisted arrest after protesters ignored warnings against crossing a tree line at Rotorua's Forest Research campus.
The actions of the protesters disappointed police who said it was supposed to be a "passive and responsible" march.
Local organisers said the actions of some showed how strongly people felt about the issue, but Forest Research scientists are vowing to continue with the GM trials.
About 40 protesters from around the country carried banners and chanted as they marched from Tarawera Rd, Rotorua to the Forest Research complex.
Six police officers and four security guards formed a line in front of trees at Forest Research and warned the protesters they would be charged if they stepped into the area.
The march was part of a weekend meeting hosted by the Rotorua movement of the People's Moratorium Enforcement Agency.
Senior Sergeant Anna Jackson said the Rotorua branch had planned a peaceful protest aimed at raising awareness, rather than disorder or damage.
Three of the four arrested were from Wellington. A 20-year-old woman was charged with trespass, a 20-year-old man was charged with trespass and possession of a knife and a 33-year old woman was charged with disorderly behaviour. A 24-year-old Auckland man was charged with obstructing police and resisting arrest. All four have been bailed to appear in the Rotorua District Court tomorrow.
"It is a shame a few thoughtless outsiders have spoiled the weekend for them," Mrs Jackson said.
But GE Free Rotorua spokeswoman Ana Navidad said she was happy with the protest.
"I think we have done what we wanted to do ... it is always disappointing when there are arrests. People feel very strongly about this issue and that is what happens. But getting arrested is not the intention."
Ms Navidad said the protesters did not know which trees were genetically engineered because Forest Research had not disclosed where its field trials were being carried out.
"The public has a right to know where these trees are and how close they are to their homes and families.
"Supposedly Forest Research went through a consultation process but the public don't know it is here."
She said there was no guarantee the field trial would not contaminate the environment with genetically modified organisms. Ms Navidad likened using a field trial to evaluate the environmental risks to starting a bush fire to find out how badly it burned.
"How is it possible that New Zealanders have been saying no to GE for more than five years, yet this project is being funded with taxpayers' money? This is being driven against the wishes of the New Zealand public for corporate profit."
Forest Research chief operating officer for science, Dr Tom Richardson, said the protest would not stop the trials.
"These trials have been underway for several years ... it will not alter our plans for the trials."
Dr Richardson said Forest Research was happy for the protesters to go to the grounds for yesterday's march. There were no Forest Research staff present.
"We weren't going to stop a peaceful protest but we did have security measures in place in case it was not peaceful, or if the experiments were interfered with. If people want to protest peacefully, then we respect their request to do that."
What was supposed to be a peaceful protest against a field trial of genetically modified trees in Rotorua turned ugly yesterday with four people arrested.
Police used pepper spray to subdue one man who resisted arrest after protesters ignored warnings against crossing a tree line at Rotorua's Forest Research campus.
The actions of the protesters disappointed police who said it was supposed to be a "passive and responsible" march.
Local organisers said the actions of some showed how strongly people felt about the issue, but Forest Research scientists are vowing to continue with the GM trials.
About 40 protesters from around the country carried banners and chanted as they marched from Tarawera Rd, Rotorua to the Forest Research complex.
Six police officers and four security guards formed a line in front of trees at Forest Research and warned the protesters they would be charged if they stepped into the area.
The march was part of a weekend meeting hosted by the Rotorua movement of the People's Moratorium Enforcement Agency.
Senior Sergeant Anna Jackson said the Rotorua branch had planned a peaceful protest aimed at raising awareness, rather than disorder or damage.
Three of the four arrested were from Wellington. A 20-year-old woman was charged with trespass, a 20-year-old man was charged with trespass and possession of a knife and a 33-year old woman was charged with disorderly behaviour. A 24-year-old Auckland man was charged with obstructing police and resisting arrest. All four have been bailed to appear in the Rotorua District Court tomorrow.
"It is a shame a few thoughtless outsiders have spoiled the weekend for them," Mrs Jackson said.
But GE Free Rotorua spokeswoman Ana Navidad said she was happy with the protest.
"I think we have done what we wanted to do ... it is always disappointing when there are arrests. People feel very strongly about this issue and that is what happens. But getting arrested is not the intention."
Ms Navidad said the protesters did not know which trees were genetically engineered because Forest Research had not disclosed where its field trials were being carried out.
"The public has a right to know where these trees are and how close they are to their homes and families.
"Supposedly Forest Research went through a consultation process but the public don't know it is here."
She said there was no guarantee the field trial would not contaminate the environment with genetically modified organisms. Ms Navidad likened using a field trial to evaluate the environmental risks to starting a bush fire to find out how badly it burned.
"How is it possible that New Zealanders have been saying no to GE for more than five years, yet this project is being funded with taxpayers' money? This is being driven against the wishes of the New Zealand public for corporate profit."
Forest Research chief operating officer for science, Dr Tom Richardson, said the protest would not stop the trials.
"These trials have been underway for several years ... it will not alter our plans for the trials."
Dr Richardson said Forest Research was happy for the protesters to go to the grounds for yesterday's march. There were no Forest Research staff present.
"We weren't going to stop a peaceful protest but we did have security measures in place in case it was not peaceful, or if the experiments were interfered with. If people want to protest peacefully, then we respect their request to do that."
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