9 Feb 2022

Three anti-vaccine mandate protesters charged with obstruction

11:27 pm on 9 February 2022

Police have charged three people with obstruction after a group of anti-vaccine mandate protesters tried to push through a fence on Parliament grounds.

The group is part of a convoy which travelled to the capital yesterday to protest against Covid-19 vaccine mandates.

After trying to push through the blockade this afternoon, three people were handcuffed and led away.

The crowd then settled and began singing the national anthem.

Police later confirmed the three men arrested on Parliament grounds had been charged with obstruction.

Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell said the men, aged 61, 57 and 50, had been bailed to appear in the Wellington District Court on Monday 14 February.

All three had been officially trespassed from Parliament grounds.

Parnell said the three men were the only people to be issued with trespass notices from Parliament since the protest began on Tuesday.

Earlier, police asked protesters to to dismantle any structures that have been erected on Parliament grounds, such as tents and marquees.

About 100 police formed a ring around the front of Parliament edging up to a line of protesters who have linked arms lining up in front of the cenotaph.

About 1000 people and hundreds of vehicle converged on Parliament grounds yesterday, and at least 100 people camped overnight.

See how today's events unfolded with RNZ's live updates:

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