March 25th 2023.
Controversial anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull has left New Zealand after chaotic scenes at her rally in Auckland on Saturday.
A source on the ground confirmed that Keen-Minshull, also known as Posie Parker, had boarded an international flight departing from Auckland International Airport that evening.
When Stuff contacted Keen-Minshull to ask about her travel plans, she declined to give any information, saying she did not trust the media. READ MORE: Online giant gives aspiring writers the chance to publish own stories
(Image Source: http://www.9news.com.au)
She stated, "I wouldn't be telling anyone my plans."
Consequently, the rally in Wellington that was due to take place the following day was cancelled.
Earlier, Keen-Minshull told Stuff she was "frightened" after having juice thrown on her prior to speaking at her Auckland event, which drew a significant crowd, believed to be in the thousands, mainly consisting of trans rights supporters.
"I've never seen anything like this," Keen-Minshull said. "What a shameful day for New Zealand."
The Briton is a women's rights campaigner to some, and an anti-trans activist to others. She had arranged speaking engagements in Auckland and Wellington this weekend as part of her Let Women Speak tour.
A reporter at the Auckland event reported that the crowds were volatile and Keen-Minshull was widely heckled before being booed as she was escorted out. She could be heard asking whether her Wellington event – since cancelled – would be the same.
Seven security guards were with Keen-Minshull, and a few police officers were at the edge of the crowd before intervening and assisting her through the throng and into a police car. Police have been criticized by Speak Up For Women and the Free Speech Union for not doing more.
Police said that no arrests had been made, but they were investigating "all reports of offending during the events".'Do you think it'll be worse in Wellington?'
At Albert Park on Saturday, where Keen-Minshull was due to speak, a small altercation occurred as she made her way through the barricade.
Keen-Minshull was escorted out of Albert Park shortly before 11.30am, as crowds booed at her. Her hair was red after being drenched in tomato juice – earlier reported as paint.
Protester Eliana Rubashkyn told 1News she had poured a "litre of juice" on the controversial speaker because it represented the blood of "our people".
"I want her to know that her words are blood."
A Stuff reporter at Albert Park said that as soon as Keen-Minshull entered the barricade, tension between the groups, separated by a ring of barricades, began to escalate.
It took only a few minutes before every side of the barricade had collapsed and counter-protesters had made their way through to surround Keen-Minshull.
No police could be seen inside where the barricades had stood, and fewer than 10 security guards worked to keep the crowd from overpowering the band rotunda.
It took only a few more minutes before the crowd managed to climb over and Keen-Minshull was surrounded on all sides.
A group of four security guards formed a human shield around her for 10 minutes as the crowd slowly pressed forward.
Several men wearing skull-adorned face coverings were among those helping shield Keen-Minshull; one of them was wearing a badge that appeared to be associated with a far-right militant group.
Fights continued to break out in the crowd, as counter-protesters tore down the last fence that was protecting Keen-Minshull from behind.
It was then that security rushed her through the crowd to get her out of the park.
In a livestream on Keen-Minshull's YouTube channel, it appeared she was being escorted away from the park in a police car. In the police car, an officer asked if she had any injuries. Keen-Minshull said she just had food in her hair and "just grave fears for this place".
(Image Source: http://www.9news.com.au)
Controversial anti-trans campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull is escaping New Zealand after chaotic scenes at her rally in Auckland on Saturday.
A source on the spot affirmed Keen-Minshull, also known as Posie Parker, had registered for an international flight departing on Saturday evening from Auckland International Airport.
When Stuff called Keen-Minshull to ask if she was leaving New Zealand she declined to give any information about her travel plans, saying she did not trust the media. READ MORE: Online giant gives aspiring writers the chance to publish own stories
(Image Source: http://www.9news.com.au)
"I wouldn't be revealing anyone my intentions."
Keen-Minshull's abrupt departure implies her Wellington rally planned for Sunday will not occur.
Earlier, Keen-Minshull told Stuff she was "terrified" after she had juice sprinkled on her before speaking at her Auckland event, which drew substantial crowds, believed to be in their thousands and mainly consisting of trans rights supporters.
"I've never witnessed anything like this," Keen-Minshull said. "What a disgraceful day for New Zealand."
The Briton is a women's rights activist to some, and an anti-trans activist to others. She had speaking engagements in Auckland and Wellington this weekend as part of her Let Women Speak tour.
A reporter at the Auckland event said crowds seemed unstable and Keen-Minshull was broadly heckled then jeered as she was taken away. She could be heard asking whether her Wellington event – since cancelled – would be the same.
Seven security guards were near Keen-Minshull, and small groups of police were on the fringe of the crowd before intervening and helping her through the crowd and into a police car. Police have been criticized by Speak Up For Women and the Free Speech Union for not doing more.
Police said no arrests had been made, but investigations were underway into "all reports of offending during the events". 'Do you think it'll be worse in Wellington?'
At Albert Park on Saturday, where Keen-Minshull was due to speak, a small fight broke out as Keen made her way through the barricade.
Keen-Minshull was escorted out of Albert Park shortly before 11.30am, as crowds booed at her. Her hair was red after being sprinkled with tomato juice – earlier reported as paint.
Protester Eliana Rubashkyn told 1News she had dropped a "litre of juice" on the contentious speaker because it represented the blood of "our people".
"I want her to know that her words are blood."
A Stuff reporter at Albert Park said from the moment Keen-Minshull entered the barricade, tension between the groups, separated by a ring of barricades, started to heat up.
It took just 3-4 minutes before every side of the barricade had crumpled and counter-protesters had made their way through to surround Keen-Minshull.
No police could be seen inside where the barricades had stood, and less than 10 security guards worked to keep the crowd from overwhelming the band rotunda.
It took only a few more minutes before masses managed to climb over and Keen-Minshull was encircled on all sides.
A group of four security guards formed a human shield around her for 10 minutes as the crowd gradually pushed forward.
Several men wearing skull-embellished face coverings were among those helping shield Keen-Minshull; one of them was wearing a badge that seemed to be associated with a far-right militant group.
Fights kept on happening in the crowd, as counter-protesters tore down the last fence that was protecting Keen-Minshull from behind.
Then it was that security made a rush with her through the crowd to get her out of the park.
In a livestream on Keen-Minshull's YouTube channel, it seemed she was being escorted away from the park in a police car. In the police car, an officer asked if she had any injuries. Keen-Minshull said she just had food in her hair and "just dire fears for this place".
(Image Source: http://www.9news.com.au)
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