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New Zealand PM prepares to crack down on Freedom Convoy
Hot Air .com ^ | February 15, 2022 | JAZZ SHAW

Posted on 02/15/2022 6:27:22 AM PST by Kaslin

When we last checked in on the Freedom Convoy in New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was starting to play rough with the loud crowd camping out on the lawn at the Parliament building in Wellington. The protesters were being soaked with water from the sprinkler system and loud music was blaring at them around the clock. By that point, though, many people had gone home, leaving only a few hundred of them at the protest site.

It seems that the harassment of the protesters and the refusal of any members of Parliament to come out and discuss their complaints didn’t sit well with many of their countrymen. In the past couple of days, the number of people participating in the convoy has swelled back up to more than 3,000. In response, Ardern appears to be borrowing a page from Justin Trudeau’s playbook in Canada. She’s now accusing the protesters of engaging in a campaign of “intimidation and harassment” against pedestrians in Wellington and is preparing to take “a harsher stance” against the convoy. (Associated Press)

blockquote>When we last checked in on the Freedom Convoy in New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was starting to play rough with the loud crowd camping out on the lawn at the Parliament building in Wellington. The protesters were being soaked with water from the sprinkler system and loud music was blaring at them around the clock. By that point, though, many people had gone home, leaving only a few hundred of them at the protest site.

It seems that the harassment of the protesters and the refusal of any members of Parliament to come out and discuss their complaints didn’t sit well with many of their countrymen. In the past couple of days, the number of people participating in the convoy has swelled back up to more than 3,000. In response, Ardern appears to be borrowing a page from Justin Trudeau’s playbook in Canada. She’s now accusing the protesters of engaging in a campaign of “intimidation and harassment” against pedestrians in Wellington and is preparing to take “a harsher stance” against the convoy. (Associated Press)/blockquote>

What hasn’t been made clear yet is precisely what Ardern specifically plans to do in terms of “cracking down” on the convoy. Last week the police were sent in and they arrested a little over 100 people. But now those one hundred protesters have been replaced by 3,000 more. Does Wellington really have the manpower to arrest and relocate that many of its citizens?

The New Zealand Police have a grand total of roughly 12,000 sworn officers, but they are spread out over more than 300 precincts on multiple islands. Certainly, the force in Wellington would be among the largest, but the number of sworn officers there may already be outnumbered by the protesters taking part in the convoy. Their military, the New Zealand Defense Force, only has 10,000 active duty members in uniform, though they can call up more if they are needed. Would Ardern really unleash the military on her own citizens just for protesting?

There was a time when I would have found that question rather silly. But now, after watching the response from Justin Trudeau in Canada, I’m not entirely sure. Governments around the world are waking up to the fact that “the little people” actually have a great deal of power when they band together in sufficient numbers. And this is making many leaders quite nervous. Keep in mind that democratic nations only rule by the consent of the governed. If that consent is withdrawn, things can get unpredictable very quickly.

Much like other leaders in the United States, Canada, and Europe, Ardern is trying to paint the protesters as some sort of right-wing, fringe minority that “isn’t representative of the people of New Zealand.” But if that’s the case, there’s one question we should all be considering. If you assume that the Freedom Convoy only represents a tiny portion of the population that’s opposed to COVID mandates and everyone else is grateful for them, where are the massive counterprotests in support of Ardern and her policies? Shouldn’t they be showing up to defend her “wise” administration?


TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: convoy; crackdown; freedomconvoy; freespeech; jacindaardern; newzealand; truckers

1 posted on 02/15/2022 6:27:22 AM PST by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

Dictators of both fascist and communist regimes “crack down” on their citizens.

Where is the rage from the left?


2 posted on 02/15/2022 6:29:55 AM PST by Nathan _in_Arkansas (Hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats. )
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To: Kaslin

A few dozen lamppost decorating parties throughout the world should bring about the desired attitude adjustment among the “elite.”


3 posted on 02/15/2022 6:31:31 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum ("Communism is not love. Communism is a hammer which we use to crush the enemy." ― Mao Zedong [FJB])
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To: Nathan _in_Arkansas

Didn’t Klaus Schawb at WEF talk about all the new world leaders his organization has trained ??

They are all following the same playbook, right from the start of Covid, they immediately went to the WEF training manual and started acting like Dictators.


4 posted on 02/15/2022 6:33:09 AM PST by srmanuel (`)
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To: Kaslin

The Twinkie Totalitarians: TrueDope and BigTeeth Ardern.

Only the weak resort to such measures.


5 posted on 02/15/2022 6:33:37 AM PST by Regulator (It's fraud, Jim)
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To: Nathan _in_Arkansas

Time for a world wide Agenda 22 to fight the Communists agenda 21.


6 posted on 02/15/2022 6:42:27 AM PST by Don Corleone (leave the gun, take the canolis)
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To: Kaslin
I could see Ardern getting outside help. New Zealand is one of those places the elites have been setting up their bolt holes in case the torches and pitchforks get too close.
Having the main population hostile on an island doesn't bode well in terms of survival.
7 posted on 02/15/2022 6:44:28 AM PST by Tench_Coxe
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To: Kaslin

A country is in serious trouble when the leader jumps directly to ‘martial law’ without first talking with the aggrieved citizenry.


8 posted on 02/15/2022 6:45:14 AM PST by Oscar in Batangas (An Honors Graduate from the Don Rickles School of Personal Verbal Intercourse)
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To: Oscar in Batangas

Remember when the global Left was all in favor of “resist”?


9 posted on 02/15/2022 6:51:14 AM PST by Col Frank Slade
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To: Kaslin

Pharma Fascists in their ivory towers are throwing rocks down at those they call peasants.


10 posted on 02/15/2022 6:59:22 AM PST by Arcadian Empire (The Baric-Daszak-Fauci spike protein, by itself, is deadly.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
A few dozen lamppost decorating parties throughout the world should bring about the desired attitude adjustment among the “elite.”

Yep, these petty tyrants are definitely pushing the envelope. And history has shown what happens to tyrants in the end. If it happens, they deserve it.

11 posted on 02/15/2022 7:21:26 AM PST by unixfox (Abolish Slavery, Repeal the 16th Amendment)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

And a few trucks with guillotines might get some attention.


12 posted on 02/15/2022 7:25:52 AM PST by matthew fuller (Resist this coercion like it’s slavery. It is. Kevin Homer, MD)
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To: Kaslin

File this under: “We must take away your civil liberties, beat, abuse, and kill you to keep you safe.”


13 posted on 02/15/2022 7:29:14 AM PST by Antoninus (Republicans are all honorable men.)
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To: Kaslin
Would Ardern really unleash the military on her own citizens just for protesting?

Yup. Ceaușescus gonna Ceaușescu.

14 posted on 02/15/2022 7:39:58 AM PST by Sirius Lee (They intend to murder us. Prep if you want to live and live like you are prepping for eternal life)
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To: Oscar in Batangas
"A country is in serious trouble when the leader jumps directly to ‘martial law’ without first talking with the aggrieved citizenry."

I would think the LEADER would be the one in serious trouble. New Zealand still has elections, yes....

15 posted on 02/15/2022 7:47:31 AM PST by Wonder Warthog (Not Responding to Seagull Snark)
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To: Kaslin

Just keep Mrs. Ed occupied with apples and carrots.

Perhaps introduce her to Sarah Jessica Parker...


16 posted on 02/15/2022 8:08:59 AM PST by EEGator
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To: Kaslin

While their PM flies about FREELY!


17 posted on 02/15/2022 8:10:59 AM PST by Harpotoo (Being a socialist is a lot easier than having to WORK like the rest of US:-))
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To: Kaslin

She is a real nasty piece of work. To combat her truckers simply refuse to unload the boats. No convoys, no protests, just a “sickout.” Can she compel truckers to drive?


18 posted on 02/15/2022 8:26:13 AM PST by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes)
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To: Kaslin

These governments sure hate freedom these days.


19 posted on 02/15/2022 8:32:35 AM PST by SaxxonWoods ("If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself." - Minquass)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

A few dozen lamppost decorating parties throughout the world should bring about the desired attitude adjustment among the “elite.”


Couldn’t happen quick enough here in the States. Let’s Go Brandon and associates.


20 posted on 02/15/2022 10:05:12 AM PST by centermass_socrates (Look into a conservative and see hope and virtue, look in a liberal and you only see meat.)
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