The Molesworth St protests changed the way that new Zealanders viewed protests
July 29th, 1981 the Springbok have defeated the All Blacks in Taranaki, but the victory did last long. Protesters once again took to the streets but this time the main focus was on Wellington- the capital city and in particular Molesworth street were the South Africa's consul to New Zealand was located, this was the target. At around 5pm an estimated 2000 or so protestors gathered outside the parliament grounds with the intent of marching up Molesworth street, however they were soon stopped dead in their tracks when the saw that the police had established themselves across Molesworth street with a police line and they declared that no protestors were allowed to proceed up the street. This did not stop a group of determined 2000 anti-tour protestors they continued to march towards the police but were shortly stopped by police with battens (this was the first time police had used such violent methods on protesters and this action would change the way that we viewed protests as a nation, no more peaceful marches through the streets). Police bashed people with the batons telling them to stop coming forward. Many protesters later on said they could not stop as the momentum of other protesters was pushing them forwards. Many protesters were stunned with what was going on, no one had anticipated such force from the police. Some protesters covered in blood stumbled away in horror and confusion. They chanted “shame, shame, shame” as they turned back towards the city many of them heading towards Wellington Central Police station to lay charges against the officers that had assaulted them. Many had blood dripping down their faces no matter what age they were it did not matter they just hit who ever was in sight, it was this that lead to people in the front line wearing crash helmets to prevent themselves from any permanent damage.
This was perhaps a crucial moment in the tour were actions took a turn for the worst it was now becoming a violent protest were force was being used on either side something that New Zealand was unfamiliar with.
Many people have argued that the actions that the police took that day on Molesworth Street were about asserting their authority letting the protesters know that they were still in charge after what had happened in Hamilton with the cancellation of the game. Reports from after the incident have found that the police stated that the use of batons on protesters was a last resort, and many police stated that they had fears for their own safety.
After this, police started to use longer batons so that they could push the protesters away without having to get to close to them and put themselves at risk of being attacked.
Earlier that morning in Wellington CBD no less the 7000 people turned up ready for action. Groups blocked motorway exits into the city as well as the main road and pedestrian access into Newton Athletic Park. Police teamed up to make wedges to escort rugby fans through to watch the match. Protesters got dragged away and were abused by spectators who kicked and punched them to the ground. Again during this protest police once again used batons on the protesters; many articles describe the scenes like battlefield.
Because most of the tour was being televised, there was a disruption to television coverage during this time.
I think that this was a turning point in the tour because this is when the true violence began weapons were introduced that had never been used
Upon looking at this it made me look into a different perspective- the perspective of the policeman on the frontline and what they thought of the event statistics from a survey within the police force about what stance you took with the Springbok tour 73% of them said that they were anti-aparthied, one man said "I disagree entirely on what he says but I will defend his lawful right to say it". Majority of the police force thought it as morally wrong that the team should be invited and that the New Zealand Rugby Union was extremely selfish in issuing the invitation. At times it would have been quiet hard to be a policeman policing a protest when your own family are marching in it which is what happened in the case of this anonymous police man
July 29th, 1981 the Springbok have defeated the All Blacks in Taranaki, but the victory did last long. Protesters once again took to the streets but this time the main focus was on Wellington- the capital city and in particular Molesworth street were the South Africa's consul to New Zealand was located, this was the target. At around 5pm an estimated 2000 or so protestors gathered outside the parliament grounds with the intent of marching up Molesworth street, however they were soon stopped dead in their tracks when the saw that the police had established themselves across Molesworth street with a police line and they declared that no protestors were allowed to proceed up the street. This did not stop a group of determined 2000 anti-tour protestors they continued to march towards the police but were shortly stopped by police with battens (this was the first time police had used such violent methods on protesters and this action would change the way that we viewed protests as a nation, no more peaceful marches through the streets). Police bashed people with the batons telling them to stop coming forward. Many protesters later on said they could not stop as the momentum of other protesters was pushing them forwards. Many protesters were stunned with what was going on, no one had anticipated such force from the police. Some protesters covered in blood stumbled away in horror and confusion. They chanted “shame, shame, shame” as they turned back towards the city many of them heading towards Wellington Central Police station to lay charges against the officers that had assaulted them. Many had blood dripping down their faces no matter what age they were it did not matter they just hit who ever was in sight, it was this that lead to people in the front line wearing crash helmets to prevent themselves from any permanent damage.
This was perhaps a crucial moment in the tour were actions took a turn for the worst it was now becoming a violent protest were force was being used on either side something that New Zealand was unfamiliar with.
Many people have argued that the actions that the police took that day on Molesworth Street were about asserting their authority letting the protesters know that they were still in charge after what had happened in Hamilton with the cancellation of the game. Reports from after the incident have found that the police stated that the use of batons on protesters was a last resort, and many police stated that they had fears for their own safety.
After this, police started to use longer batons so that they could push the protesters away without having to get to close to them and put themselves at risk of being attacked.
Earlier that morning in Wellington CBD no less the 7000 people turned up ready for action. Groups blocked motorway exits into the city as well as the main road and pedestrian access into Newton Athletic Park. Police teamed up to make wedges to escort rugby fans through to watch the match. Protesters got dragged away and were abused by spectators who kicked and punched them to the ground. Again during this protest police once again used batons on the protesters; many articles describe the scenes like battlefield.
Because most of the tour was being televised, there was a disruption to television coverage during this time.
I think that this was a turning point in the tour because this is when the true violence began weapons were introduced that had never been used
Upon looking at this it made me look into a different perspective- the perspective of the policeman on the frontline and what they thought of the event statistics from a survey within the police force about what stance you took with the Springbok tour 73% of them said that they were anti-aparthied, one man said "I disagree entirely on what he says but I will defend his lawful right to say it". Majority of the police force thought it as morally wrong that the team should be invited and that the New Zealand Rugby Union was extremely selfish in issuing the invitation. At times it would have been quiet hard to be a policeman policing a protest when your own family are marching in it which is what happened in the case of this anonymous police man
"Long batons fly in Molesworth street as riot police block protestors on Molesworth street from reaching their destination , 29th August 1981"