PRESS RELEASE
Solidarity Protest Against Police Racism in New Zealand
A call for justice and a halt to police racism and violence against Maori is the at the heart of a protest being held
this afternoon in Hong Kong (7pm New Zealand time) at the New Zealand Consulate General.
Local and regional student groups, human rights, Christian and migrant worker NGO's will present a letter condemning the
New Zealand Government for it's inaction against the rising cases of violence experienced by Maori at the hands of the
state through the NZ Police Force.
"The continued oppression of Maori at the hands of the state must cease! The killing of Steven Wallaceby police is the
latest incident of 160 years of colonisation which has used state power be it military or legal to dispossess Maori of
dignity and power," says Helen Te Hira of the Asian Students Association, organisers of this afternoons solidarity
action.
"The NZ government cannot afford to hide behind the fist of the state, the racist history of New Zealand is not unknown
internationally. Today's gathering is an expression of solidarity from the international community for justice. " .
The protest letter also calls for the creation of independent body to investigate the death of Steven Wallace outside of
the Police Complaints Authority, believing that the police as perpetrators of violence are not in a position to
therefore act as judge and juror.
Stop the violence and discrimination against Maori! Justice for Steven Wallace and all other victims of racist Police
attacks!
WHERE: NZ Consulate General Wan Chai, Hong Kong
WHEN: May 5 2000 2pm (HK time)
For further comment please contact
Helen Te Hira Asian Students Association Ph: 00852 2388 0515 Fax: 00852 2782 5535 E-mail: asasec@netvigator.com
ASA is the regional student association with members from 32 countries in the Asia-Pacific, including the New Zealand
student and youth organisations of NZUSA, TMA) Te Mana Akonga and Radical Society Aotearoa. It is based in Hong Kong.