A protest intended to oppose the Wellington anti-mandate protest had to quickly pivot after the shutdown of the Wellington protest just two days before. Despite being small in number, those attending insisted the cause was still urgent enough to motivate them.
Organised by International Socialists Ōtepoti Dunedin, the protest was originally scheduled to be held on Saturday February 26 in the Octagon. This was to coincide with an anti-mandate convoy passing through at the time. However, after an anti-war protest was also organised in response to the war in Ukraine (which Critic Te Arohi reported on in last week’s issue), a decision was made to postpone it to the following Saturday. In a statement, the organisers said they hoped to “cede the space, rather than take any, from Ukranians in New Zealand”. The anti-mandate protestors did not follow suit, and some instead suggested that the war in Ukraine was somehow connected to a global conspiracy that a few of their members heralded as undeniable truth.
The organisers faced a further challenge when the thing they were protesting against - the anti-mandate protest in Wellington - was shut down by police just two days before the event. This meant a shift in location, from the Octagon, directly facing the protesters, to the Museum Lawn – to “avoid confrontation and escalating tensions,” said Brandon, a community activist at the protest.
Along with the change of location also came a change in focus: in a statement, the International Socialists Ōtepoti Dunedin said that they wanted a “less rowdy gathering… under the kaupapa of Aotearoa Stronger Together”. Brandon explained: “We want to oppose the mindset of ‘living with the virus’ that is being promoted now.” He told Critic Te Arohi that the discussion now was being largely driven by business lobbies, leaving the most of the burden on our most vulnerable, such as those who are disabled or immunocompromised.
Thea, a student at the protest, said she felt it was still important to show up, despite the Wellington protests having been shut down. “It doesn’t mean the threat is gone, it’s just moved to different parts of the country now, but it’s still active,” she said. “I’ve been called a ‘mask whore’ while walking past the protesters in the Octagon… but I just want us to keep each other safe.” Thea pointed out that she had vulnerable family members, and she didn’t want to be the one to give them Covid.
The protest seemed sparsely attended, with only about 8 members present when Critic Te Arohi visited, a far cry from the 113 who said they were interested on Facebook, or the 27 who marked “going”. Brandon explained that “some people were isolating”, and some had been reluctant to attend a public event with Covid raging. He admitted, though, that it was probably less motivating without an active protest to demonstrate against. Most walking past seemed indifferent or mildly supportive, with the exception of one old Pākehā lady, who reminded Brandon “It’s New Zealand, [not Aotearoa]”. Thanks for that.