Singer-songwriter Teeks has vented his frustrations about the messaging being platformed at the anti-mandate protests in Wellington, pointing out to participants that regardless of their intentions they're fraternising with "fascists and white supremacists".
The 'First Time' hitmaker took to Twitter to share his message, writing: "Respectfully, I don't give a f**k what anyone's intentions are being at that protest. If you're sharing common interests with fascists and white supremacists while professing 'freedom' you got some serious thinking to do."
Police and protestors continue to face off outside parliament as the occupation enters its 14th day, all while the Omicron variant of COVID-19 surges around New Zealand, pushing the country's daily new cases of the virus into the thousands.
While many of those in attendance insist they are holding a "peaceful protest", there have been a plethora of death threats aimed at politicians and the media, as well as a disturbing presence of anti-Semitic messaging and other racist commentary.
The message 'Hang 'em High' was written across the parliamentary forecourt at the start of the occupation and there have been multiple reports of a noose hanging from a tree.
Images of an anti-Semitic note dubbing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern 'Jewcinda' have been doing the rounds on social media alongside comparisons of vaccine mandates and COVID-19 restrictions to the atrocities of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. At one stage, a swastika was drawn on a statue at parliament.
A tweet shared by Aya Al-Umari, whose brother Hussein Al-Umari was murdered in the March 15 terror attack, included a photo that featured a sign from the protests picturing Jacinda Ardern next to a photo of the Christchurch terrorist under the words 'New Zealand mass-murderers'.
Meanwhile white supremacist Philip Arps, who was jailed for sharing footage of the Christchurch terror attack, was arrested in Picton after attempting to join the protest, allegedly declaring he was off to a "public execution".
Far right white supremacy group Action Zealandia shared a video to their Telegram channel showing protestors clashing with police in front of Parliament, which appeared to be taken from a construction site at Bowen House - a government building that has secure access to the Beehive.
In a previous tweet, Teeks wrote of his disbelief that some New Zealanders refused to undertake COVID-19 protection measures for the "greater good" of Aotearoa.
"People in this country are really losing their shit huh. Full ass grown adults having tantrums because they don't like being told what to do," he said.
"In the midst of a global health crisis - even if it's for the greater good. FFS pull yourselves together, it's f**king sad."
