Multiple groups planning peaceful rally at Lauren Southern, Stefan Molyneux event

Wednesday, 1 August 2018

Lauren Southern, pictured, and Stefan Molyneux will speak in Auckland on Friday evening.

Hundreds of people will rally against the visit of far-right Canadian speakers Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux on Friday.

Ten Auckland-based activist groups have banded together for the 'Rally Against Racism', which organiser and Auckland University student Katjoesja Buissink described as 'the most organised protest I've ever seen'.

She said the groups did not yet know where Southern and Molyneux would be speaking, but the protest would begin at Auckland's Aotea Square.

'We've hired buses to take us to wherever the venue ends up being.'

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Southern and Molyneux are known for their views on feminism, Islam and multiculturalism.

The venue the duo are speaking at has been kept under wraps and those who have forked out the $99 to attend will only be told the location of the event 24 hours prior.

Buissink said she opposed the Canadian pair speaking in Auckland due to the way they have spoken about minorities in the past.

'I think the thing to remember is hate speech is not free speech and what they're doing is hate speech.'

Sina Brown-Davis, who is the spokesperson for Tāmaki Anti-Facist Action (TAFA), said the rally would involve speeches, musical items and cultural performances.

'We just want to display that Auckland is a multicultural city and we appreciate the role of migrants here.'

Brown-Davis said the event would be used to show off all the positive aspects of Auckland.

'It's a family-friendly event that's ended up bringing a lot of people together, which has been great. I think positivity is the best counter to hate and division.'

Those attending the rally are being encouraged to bring colourful banners, flags, candles or any other items of cultural or religious significance.

An earlier demonstration at one of the pair's talks in Victoria, Australia resulted in the closure of a road after protesters rushed at a bus.

Sergeant Cameron Scott said local police had been 'disappointed' by the events that took place.

'Calls for a peaceful and orderly demonstration were ignored.'

Commander Tim Hansen of North-West Metro said the actions of the protesters put the lives of the public and police officers at risk.

'It is disappointing that we had to use significant resources to mediate between two groups with opposing views.'

Auckland police superintendent Karyn Malthus said the organisers of Molyneux and Southern's Auckland event had been in contact with police.

However, police had 'yet to be advised' of the event location.

Malthus would not say if police would be present at the event.

'Police are experienced in making operational decisions on a case-by-case basis regarding the resources utilised to cover particular events for any number of factors.'