\u201cIt\u2019s obvious [the] Government and Police are panicking that big numbers of Kiwis will be turning out to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge on Sat 31st January.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will meet at Victoria Park at 11am, Saturday 31st, January, Auckland central. The decision will be made then.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tamaki claimed the decision not to allow what he described as a peaceful protest over the Harbour Bridge was a \u201cdesperate panic reaction\u201d from the Police.<\/p>\n
He also referred to \u201cthe Muslim police commander and Indian police commander in charge.\u201d<\/p>\n
Destiny Church’s Brian Tamaki. Photo \/ Alex Burton.<\/p>\n
Police Superintendent Naila Hassan yesterday said that Police recognise the right to peaceful and lawful protest.<\/p>\n
\u201c[But] any attempts to deliberately walk across the bridge or disrupt access for other motorists will be considered unlawful activity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hassan also said there was consideration that a protest through the centre lanes of the bridge would likely force closure of at least all lanes in one direction, significantly affecting the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis could also potentially put lives at risk due to attendees\u2019 proximity to live traffic and disruption to emergency services,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny access to the motorway network requires a permit, and as no such permit has been issued, any protest action on the Auckland Harbour Bridge would be unlawful.\u201d<\/p>\n
A group linked to Brian Tamaki disrupted a march by Sikhs in South Auckland last month. Photo \/ Facebook<\/p>\n
NZTA\u2019s national manager maintenance and operations, Andrew Clark, said it was the roading agency\u2019s job to protect road users on and around the Bridge and its structural integrity.<\/p>\n
There was a high threshold for requests to access the bridge for special events.<\/p>\n
The coalition\u2019s proposed traffic management plan did not meet that, he said.<\/p>\n
Clark said the bridge was not designed for pedestrian use, and large groups of people walking across it caused \u201cswaying of the structure\u201d that led to \u201clarge movement between the clip-ons and the central truss bridge lanes\u201d.<\/p>\n
The January 31 protest has been heavily promoted on social media platforms, including Facebook, by Tamaki and those involved with the True Patriots of NZ Facebook page.<\/p>\n
Tamaki has been telling followers that this was their chance to protest about immigration.<\/p>\n
The True Patriots of NZ group – who dub themselves as \u201cguardians of the Kiwi way of life\u201d and \u201cdefenders of faith, flag and family\u201d have proven to be controversial after turning up at events – including a Sikh parade in South Auckland last month – with some holding banners saying: \u201cThis is NZ, not India.\u201d<\/p>\n