Wellington Police are preparing themselves for a possible second protest at Parliament in April as rumours circulate on social media of another gathering.
Earlier in March, police ended a 23-day-long occupation after anti-mandate protesters took over Parliament's lawn and brought central Wellington streets to a standstill.
Now, a group called NZUnite is announcing a 14-day protest starting on April 1. They plan on holding a different protest event each day and will "build and peak" in numbers as they go.
"Let's create the loving and peaceful atmosphere we saw at Parliament, and keep the momentum going to show the Government we are not going away," the group wrote on Telegram.
According to one person in their Telegram channel, they're protesting the Government:
- "pledging allegiance to the World Economic Forum"
- "making natural medicine illegal, leaving only chemical-based (crude oil) products"
- "[the Government] signing an agreement with the World Health Organization", who have "changed the meaning of the words plandemic and vaccines so they decide there will be the next pandemic without any proof".
The word 'plandemic' is a portmanteau of planned and pandemic, and is used by conspiracy theorists to imply that COVID-19 was deliberately set loose.
Police say they're aware of talks online about a possible protest at Parliament in April.
"Wellington District staff are working to determine the credibility of the information and plan for any possible gatherings or activity," a spokesperson says.
"Any behaviour that is deemed unlawful or disrupts people from going about their lawful business will not be tolerated."
In their Telegram channel, one user suggested they overthrow the Government.
"We need to organise to overthrow the Government and every politician in that wasp nest held to account. Anything else is a waste of time, money and resources."
Another said this upcoming protest could also help topple the Government.
"I see the action of another protest much the same as you, but also believe that this could be more of an affiliation event, to educate and form core groups to establish a plan of autonomous governance or something like [that]."
NZUnite's website describes themselves as "reasonable, rational, everyday Kiwis" who recognise "that the devastating effects of the COVID-19 response are far-reaching and far from over".
"We need to be vigilant - now, more than ever and surge forward with the momentum, passion and inexhaustible determination that we have amassed together toward unified and measurable goals," they say.
"If you have been affected by, or are concerned about Government overreach, police brutality, misinformation, coercion and their relation to the COVID-19 response, then we stand with you."
They add that their goal is to "bring the numerous issues disrupting the lives of our fellow Kiwis to the attention of all New Zealanders". They also want to "give a voice back to those who have been silenced".
"We will not rest until the Government is held accountable, along with all those who were complicit in their tyrannical power-play."
Last week, the Independent Police Conduct Authority confirmed it will conduct an investigation into the policing of the protest on Parliament's grounds during the February to March gathering.
Almost 1900 complaints were received about it, which is the largest number it has received about a single event or police operation.
It says the protest was an "unprecedented event in New Zealand" and "one of the most significant policing challenges in recent years".
