The organiser of the 'FARC off Brian' counter-protest says the demonstration will display messages of inclusion and diversity and show support for public health measures against COVID-19.
The counter-protest organiser, Mark Graham, told Newshub that he along with many other Kiwis are fed up with the misinformation and selfishness led by Brian Tamaki's Freedoms and Rights Coalition group.
Graham spoke to Newshub ahead of their counter-protest on Saturday and reiterated the movement will be non-confrontational.
"Our intention with our protest is to keep it light, keep it fun, celebrate diversity, absolutely be non-confrontational and non-violent."
He said the protest would be providing an alternative voice to the voices in the field below them at Auckland Domain.
Graham told Newshub that an uplifting protest music playlist is being collated to keep spirits high.
"The playlist is going to have a lot of disco and Abba, Queen and we've got some great soul music."
Graham said he has spoken to police ahead of Saturday's protest, outlining the intentions of the 'FARC off Brian' protest.
"We will be working very closely with them to ensure things run smoothly."
The idea of the counter-protest is only a couple of days old, and with the kick-off time quickly approaching Graham feels "a mixture of trepidation and anticipation".
He's unsure what the turnout will be, but from the reaction he's had online he's hopeful it'll be good.
"We've got people flying up from Dunedin and people driving in from Waihi and from up North, there's a lot of people coming through."
He did admit with hindsight that he regrets the choice of the name of the counter-protest.
"I am well aware of how easy it is to target the Bishop (Tamaki), and I feel a degree of regret around the choice of name for our group," he said.
"It's probably a little bit provocative and it's not really the message we want to be going out with, we want a message of inclusion and celebration."
