From: Sue Grey <suegreylawyer@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2022, 07:31
Subject: OPEN LETTER of Complaint and Request for Information
To: <corrie.parnell@police.govt.nz>, <andrew.coster@police.govt.nz>, <poto.williams@parliament.govt.nz>
Cc: Hon David Parker <david.parker@parliament.govt.nz>, Una Jagose <una.jagose@crownlaw.govt.nz>
Dear Det Inspector Corrie
I have read a statement made by you purporting to justify the police conduct at Parliament yesterday, and accordingly write to you personally, as well as to Commissioner Coster and Minister of Police Poto Williams, who hold ultimate responsibility for the conduct of the New Zealand Police.
I write firstly to register my abhorrence at the police strategy and in particular the brutal conduct by numerous NZ Police officers recorded on camera and shared with New Zealand and the world, and secondly to formally correct information in case you have been misinformed.
I personally joined the convoy on Sunday and attended outside Parliament on Monday and Tuesday.
Monday had no obvious police presence and was extremely peaceful.The strong message was that the occupation was to be peaceful.
On Tuesday morning the police arrived and stood in large numbers, in an intimidatory way and refused to engage with myself or others.
I made myself known to police, offered to liaise as a representative of the people present and asked if it would be possible to speak to the officer in charge to discuss strategy and how to maintain freedoms protected by NZBill of Rights in a peaceful way.The officer I spoke to promised to make my offer known to his commanding officer. Despite this I was never approached. Instead I was physically pushed by two police officers, one male one female, despite me being stationary and attempting to engage in constructive discussion. I pointed out to the officers involved that they were assaulting me. It appeared they felt they were under orders and did not care.
Despite this, the mood was peaceful with a mix of speeches, singing and people sitting in the shade talking and relaxing.
I was asked to address the crowd on the NZBill of Rights and rights and freedoms. The police who were present also heard my address. I referred to the NZ Bill of Rights and the recent High Court Four Aviation Security Workers case, where His Honour Justice Cooke restated authorities that made clear that subordinate legislation is illegal if it is inconsistent with the freedoms protected by the NZBill of Rights. Rules and policies inconsistent with the NZBill of Rights (including Trevor Mallards rules for Parliament grounds) are accordingly also illegal. Parliament grounds are a public place with a long history of use for public protest. Parliament grounds are exactly the right place for the public to protest against ever changing laws and subordinate orders that undermine democracy and the physical, mental, social and economic well-being of New Zealanders.
The NZ and other commonwealth courts have consistently upheld the right to protest, even if it offends some. Refer the Supreme Court decision in the Valerie Morse flag burning case.Even speaker Trevor Mallard and Minister of Covid Chris Hipkins have stood up for protesting.https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/political-irony-speaker-and-hipkins-historic-arrests-make-it-hard-to-trespass-protesters/ar-AATG2GW?ocid=msedgntp
The fact that this protest has gone on longer that others, is evidence of public concern, and in many cases heartbreak leading to outrage, about the deliberate discriminatory and divisive policies of the current Prime Minister, and cabinet and her ongoing dismissive approach to the rule of law, constitutional conventions, fundamental rights and freedoms (that generations of New Zealanders fought for), the ongoing physical and mental harm her policies and attitude are causing, and her apparent lack of respect or compassion for the New Zealanders she was elected to represent.
The people supporting the protest have maintained a very positive and peaceful environment.There was one brief kerfuffle on Wednesday when the police stopped a man from approaching parliament’s steps to serve court papers on a publicly elected representative. It was difficult to see any offending by him, although the police actions did raise serious questions about whether the police who were involved and their superiors and anyone else who instructed them were perverting the course of justice.On Tuesday the man could have walked to the steps to peacefully deposit his documents. This was not possible on Wednesday solely because of the police response.
I urge you and your colleagues to take a step back and think about your police oath and why you joined the police. Look at the abundant evidence of the love and peace promoted by the Freedom Convoy, compared to the fear promoted by those inside parliament. Contrast this with the fear, division and discrimination promoted by the current Prime Minister and those the police are defending.
The ongoing fear-mongering by government and media about “Omicron” is not a reason to undermine fundamental rights and freedoms. It is now widely understood that Omicron is mild and provides excellent natural immunity. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/covid-19-omicron-south-african-gp-who-raised-alarm-about-omicron-says-she-was-pressured-not-to-call-it-mild/XJ5H7I6E2LKVM5S655ET5HLIWI/
The public of New Zealand are rightly concerned by the efforts of their elected representatives to promote fear and continue to push “booster” shots of a “prescription only” novel injection that is not safe or effective (how can anyone claim that when more boosters are required every 3 months or so) and when it may cause death or serious injury to healthy people. Refer https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2022/02/covid-19-booster-vaccine-may-be-needed-every-year-to-cover-new-variants-michael-baker.html
https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/COVID-19/safety-report-39.asp#:~:text=Up%20to%20and%20including%2031%20December%202021%2C%20a%20total%20of,to%20the%20COVID%2D19%20vaccine
New Zealand is well out of step with other Commonwealth jurisdictions which are ending mandates in recognition that Omicron is no more than the common cold.
I again reach out to request a meeting. I not currently in Wellington as have other important matters to attend to. I am however happy to arrange a time to speak by phone.
Meanwhile please could you urgently provide copies of all police strategies, briefing notes, draft and final emails, minutes and other meeting notes and any other information to explain how the NZ police came to engage in such a shameful display yesterday against the public of New Zealand. Please include in this request:A) copies of all communications with Trevor Mallard and any of his advisors and assistants and with any other MP and their advisors or assistantsB) any police policies, protocols etc for public protests including how to protect minorsC) any police policies or advice on the NZBill of Rights Act and how to protect fundamental rights and freedomsD) information about the chain of command yesterdayE) notes from any debriefing yesterdayF) any health and safety planG) information about any hospital admissions resulting from police conduct yesterdayH) All draft and final police briefing notes for the Prime Minister, Cabinet, Parliamentary Speaker or other elected or paid public representatives and / or for the media and/ or to the Police Complaints Authority.Thank you and kind regards
Sue Grey LLB (Hons), BSc ( Biochemistry & Microbiology), RSHDipPHICo-Leader NZOutdoors and Freedom Party
Nelson, NZ
pH +64 22 6910586suegreylawyer@gmail.com
www.suegrey.co.nz