Video appears to show protester dragged by hair at Parliament
Thursday, 10 February 2022
A video is circulating online of an anti-vaccine mandate protester appearing to be dragged by her hair before a police officer arrests her for trespassing.
In the video the woman appears to be pulled out of the crowd by her dreadlocks before being pinned down and handcuffed. She appears to be naked. She is then quickly covered by a sheet.
More than 120 protesters were arrested by the end of Thursday. Police have also used pepper spray on two occasions.
More police are being brought from around the country to Wellington to bolster the ranks at Parliament as the protest enters its fourth day on Friday.
**READ MORE:
* Three anti-vaccine mandate protesters arrested, charged with obstruction
* Person had taser pointed at them by woman after a police officer let her hold it
**
Superintendent Corrie Parnell said at a media stand-up on Thursday afternoon that he did not believe police’s use of force was excessive throughout Thursday.
“I think if you've watched any of the footage today, which I have intently, and our people have acted proportionately, fairly and very professionally,” he said.
A police spokeswoman said on Thursday evening regarding the incident: “The images and videos do not provide the full context of the protest activity and full situation our staff faced today. Police will not be commenting on individual arrests.”