MANA Leader to Appears in Court

Posted on October 16, 2012 by admin in John Minto, Press Releases

MANA Leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau Hone Harawira will appear in the Auckland District Court tomorrow morning at 9am to answer a charge of “failing to remove a vehicle from a road”.

Hone was arrested after police smashed their way into his car and arrested him last Thursday night in a peaceful protest against the removal of state houses from Glen Innes.

It’s a bit silly really. The real criminals here are Housing Minister Phil Heatley and his National Party mates. They are slowly driving a stake into the heart of the Glen Innes community, but this community is fighting back and I was delighted to join them” says MANA Vice President John Minto.

“700 state houses around New Zealand face demolition, sale or removal, despite a desperate need for more state housing. The government is reducing state houses while families are doubling up in overcrowded, unhealthy conditions in private rentals or other state houses”.

“This is unacceptable and MANA will be supporting the national day of protest on November 7th when communities from around the country will arrive in Wellington to protest at parliament and deliver a petition to party leaders”.

Also appearing at court tomorrow (Wednesday) with be several others arrested last Thursday – one with a wrist in plaster and another with a badly mangled finger from the protest.

ENDS

For more information please contact Malcolm Mulholland on 027 765 6380.