The actions of the group associated with Destiny Church who protested a children’s event at the Te Atatū library on Saturday could be dangerous, says former Te Atatū MP and Henderson-Massey Local Board chairperson Chris Carter.
About 30 people attending the event, part of Auckland Pride Festival, had to be barricaded in a room when a group of men wearing ‘Man Up’ t-shirts stormed the venue.
Carter told RNZ’s Morning Report on Monday it was especially concerning as New Zealand’s youth suicide rate was the second-worst in the developed world.
“At least one third of youth suicide cases globally have been identified as kids struggling with their sexuality, and so scenes like we saw in Te Atatū a couple of days ago, and at the Pride March — spewing hatred and rhetoric for young people struggling with their sexuality, you know, thinking about suicide – what sort of messaging is that? It’s ugly stuff and it’s dangerous.”
Also speaking to RNZ’s Morning Report, Auckland Council community director Rachel Kelleher said the incident was “incredibly distressing”.
“It caused harm, both physical harm to those that tried to intervene to stop the protesters coming into the centre, but also emotional harm in that it was a very frightening event for all involved.”
Kelleher said another event by the performer was cancelled on Saturday following the incident, but the remaining upcoming events would go ahead as planned, as they did on Sunday.
A mother has spoken to 1News of her daughter’s horror at seeing her dodgeball teammate’s “shoved, pushed and punched” at the Te Atatū Community Centre on Saturday. (Source: 1News)
She said Auckland Council would “review our security practice” but did not confirm what that would entail.
In a statement, Rainbow Wellington said it was “shocked and upset by the displays of aggression against rainbow events in Tāmaki Makaurau”.
“We call on all leaders and allies, both local and national, to show their support for our rainbow communities and performers.
“We ask for police and venues to work with organisers to ensure our people are safe and events can go ahead without disruption.
“We encourage everyone to reach out and support your rainbow whanau and performers.”
Destiny Church did not respond to RNZ, but leader Brian Tamaki told his congregation on Sunday he was proud of the protesters.
“I said… ‘Great job what you’re doing, but I want you to storm the library they’re in, and shut it down,’ and he said, ‘Yep, I’m onto it, apostle,’ and they did it, and you read about it, probably, or heard about it.”
Police said they were “actively investigating” the incident.
“The group’s actions caused considerable distress and concern among tamariki, library staff and visitors,” Acting Waitematā District Commander Inspector Simon Walker said on Sunday.
“This protest crossed a line… we encourage any other people subjected to violent behaviour to make a report at their nearest Police station, or online at 105.police.govt.nz.”
No arrests had been made as of Sunday evening.
rnz.co.nz
