When the Video Tells a Different Story

Friend, I’ve just finished reading the police summary of @AucklandCitizen’s arrest on Sunday 7 December and wow, it’s a doozy.

Considering how many times the arresting officers acknowledge the presence of a camera, it’s remarkable how confidently they recount events, knowing full well it’s all on film.

I thought you might be interested in some of my favorite moments from their retelling, and how they compare with the video evidence and facts we shared last week.

As we reported, @AucklandCitizen arrived at Myers Park for the “Ban the Ban” pro puberty blocker rally to carry out a silent audit. From the moment he arrived to the moment he was arrested and dragged away, everything was captured on camera.

For more than 40 minutes, @AucklandCitizen was followed, obstructed, shoved, and intimidated by event marshals, all in full view of three police officers. Let’s see how their memory stacks up against the footage.

The report immediately notes the obstruction @AucklandCitizen faced, though it downplays it significantly. Police claim those obstructing him kept their distance and that he pushed them several times.

The video shows the opposite. From the moment he arrived, @AucklandCitizen was swarmed by marshals who pressed him relentlessly for over 40 minutes. Hardly “keeping their distance.”

But this small fib is nothing compared to what comes next.

According to the police account, it was actually @AucklandCitizen who was getting in the way and trying to obstruct others. Apparently, the marshals were just trying to move past peacefully, using only light shoves, and he then decided to push them.

However, we know from the footage what really happened. In the final moments of @AucklandCitizen’s video, he finally manages to ditch his handlers, only to be rushed by another hi-vis wearing marshal who crashes straight into him. She runs downhill from several metres away directly into him.

I wonder how the police remember it.

I suppose what they say about eyewitnesses being deeply unreliable is true. This is what Officer One said. Let’s see if Officer Two does any better.

“When one of the protesters tried to move past him…”

You mean the marshal who ran at him full speed down a hill? That’s an interesting way to frame it.

Following his arrest, @AucklandCitizen was asked a series of questions. One in particular stands out. Why were you filming?

@AucklandCitizen’s response was perfect. Because he’s allowed to.

He broke no laws by filming. In fact, it was those who restricted his access and obstructed his movement who should have been of far greater concern to police.

One final point of interest from the 35-page report is this single line:

“He is very calm and understanding of what is going on.”

You see @AucklandCitizen didn’t need to worry because he’d done nothing wrong. I’m sure by comparison to the frenzied mob the officers just “protected” he seems extremely calm. 

He was also calm when we stood with him in court last Friday to receive his charge of common assault.

We’ll be working to have this dismissed and we could use your help.

But we won’t be silent in the face of police misconduct and the abuse of civil liberties. 

Will you stand with us?