'I get anxiety attacks, but I keep going': Auckland councillors accompanied by security guards as abuse intensifies
Friday, 19 November 2021
Violent talk and death threats have prompted growing concern for the safety of Kiwi politicians and journalists.
Councillors, MPs and political reporters are increasingly being confronted with abuse and threats of violence from those opposed to the Covid-19 vaccine and vaccine mandates.
In some cases, it has meant security guards have been needed for added protection at community events.
Auckland’s Maungakiekie-Tāmaki ward councillor Josephine Bartley said she was accompanied by guards at the Mega Vax Pacific event held on Sunday, November 14 because of “threats of protest.”
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Mealamu Security, based in the Auckland suburb of Ōtāhuhu, was providing the protection because it “understood the communities which we work in,” Bartley said.
“It means that I can actually participate and do my job, and do what I need to do to make that event successful… and not have to worry that someone's going to come up and attack me,” she said.
She said she had been confronted with increasing abuse after she called an attack on the shopfront of Panmure’s Pasefika Family Health Group by anti-vaxxers “unacceptable”, adding that violence would not be tolerated.
Bartley, who is Samoan, said she had been called a “disgrace to our race”, and “scum”, and told that she was going to “burn in hell” for advocating the Covid-19 vaccine.
The councillor had also filed a police report after three “intimidating” men began shouting at her while she was sitting in her sign-written car.
Despite the “physical and emotional” stress, Bartley said she would never step down from her role as a councillor because of the behaviour of “a few bullies”.
“I get anxiety attacks, but I keep going. I've never let fear stop me from doing anything.
“I really do appreciate that council is supporting me, so I can carry on being a councillor, because the community is asking me to be there, to support these events and support them, so I go out there.”
Manukau ward councillor Efeso Collins started the push for increased protection for councillors after his family received death threats when he criticised the reality TV show Police Ten 7 in July.
He said there had been a significant “increasing level of anger” towards local government officials, and the threats of violence have prompted him to make “serious considerations” about his future in politics.
“I have to be honest, it has set me back a little bit. I do feel there are times when I have to look over my shoulder.
“My wife will raise concerns about my safety, in particular. So yeah, it's tough because [it would be different] if it were just me, the six-foot-something Samoan guy who can handle it, but I’ve got my family to think about.”
Auckland Council governance director Phil Wilson said the council couldn’t comment on detailed security plans for elected members, but was “monitoring existing security protocols”.
“Our security team can work directly with security companies to provide assistance; liaise with police if necessary; can assess online threats if required and can help individual members assess any risk associated with an event before they attend,” Wilson said.
He said the council was working alongside two members who had been subjected to “some extremely unacceptable behaviour” from the public that had left them feeling “unsafe and cautious” when carrying out their work.
Increasing antisocial behaviour has been affecting elected members’ safety in public life, including an increase in online ‘trolling’ and confrontation at public events, he said.
“Many of our councillors are right now doing tremendous work in their communities to encourage vaccination and support people in need.”
At the national level, Labour whip Kieran McAnulty has asked Parliamentary Services if security arrangements around MPs need to be stepped up following an escalation in threats from those opposed to the Covid-19 vaccine, and vaccine mandates.
McAnulty himself was assailed by former ad-man John Ansell over the weekend, who suggested that those pushing the vaccine deserved to be killed with a lethal injection.
“I'm not so worried about that bloke in particular [Ansell], but those that believe the rubbish that he's talking about, and [are] then potentially willing to act on it, I think we need to take it seriously,” McAnulty said.
“I think everyone needs to be aware that things are starting to escalate.”
Earlier this month, Speaker Trevor Mallard boosted security ahead of anti-mandate protests at Parliament, saying it was the most heightened security he had seen since being first elected in 1984.
Tennis balls carrying slogans that labelled the media 'terrorists' and “paedophiles” were pelted at political reporters covering the demonstration.
There has also been an uptick in the intensity and violence of messages sent to journalists.
Stuff’s chief political reporter Henry Cooke posted an example to social media, which read he was “marked for death” for being a “filthy sellout”.
“Many will beat you bloody then s… on your face. [Your] days are numbered.”
Press Gallery deputy chair and Newstalk ZB chief political reporter Jason Walls said those angry at the Government had started to turn their attention towards the mainstream media and journalists.
“The current political climate within New Zealand has got a lot more frosty… and scary at times, given all that's going on with the mandates and vaccines.
“The media are an easy target because we're the ones that are reporting on what's happening. And people think it's the media being on [the Government’s] side by just reporting, so we're an easy scapegoat,” Walls said.
But the rising levels of abuse from a “minority of people” hadn’t made Walls reconsider his role as a journalist.
“The majority actually need to know what's going on in the country right now; the need for proper accurate information has never been more important.
“We're privileged to be able to be in this position, where we get to relay that, and if it means we get some negative feedback, that is tough, but it only really strengthens my resolve at the end of the day.”