Anti-tour protests may breach law

Press, 22 June 1981, Page 1

Anti-tour protests may breach law

> PA Wellington j Police law experts are j checking statements made 'by leaders of anti-Springbok • tour groups to see if people fare being encouraged to •break the law. Chief Superintendent Brian [Davies, in charge of planning [for the tour, said comments I by anti-tour group leaders in ■recent weeks worried him. He said he was concerned

about comments published in an Auckland anti-tour organisation booklet which poses the question, “what can I do?” and answers, “Do your own thing inside the grounds.” The inference was people were going to breach the law, Mr Davies said. He said the police legal section was checking statements made by people with

regard to incitement and "if the facts support a prosecution then obviously we will initiate one.” ' Mr Davies said he hoped both pro and anti-tour people would respect the rights of each other. “But I expect it will be a forlorn hope, given the length ' of the tour and the controversy which is going on at present. "i. The police had reviewed plans for the Springbok tour as a result of anti-tour groups’ comments, said Mr Davies. Demonstrators had a right of protest, as rugby followers had the right to watch. Mr Davies- said the police would try and keep the two' groups separate. They would attempt to set aside a suitable area near rugby grounds for demonstrators. Demonstrators would not be allowed to block the way of rugby supporters. Any attempt to block footpaths would be stopped.

“The demonstrators have a right to demonstrate outside the park but they do not have the right to obstruct the roadway or the footpath in total,” he said. Mr Davies warned rugby supporters against taking matters-into their own hands inside the grounds. Although police often

sought public assistance in preventing unlawful acts, this was mainly where they did not have the numbers'to deal with the situation. "It is inviting disorder if the pro-rugby supporters in fact get info conflict with anti-tour people inside the ground,” Mr Davies said. “I think the best policy for the pro-rugby supporters is to leave that action to the police.” Two escort parties of 54 policemen would accompany the team during the tour. The 108 men were members of team policing units and would be involved in the initial security of the Springbok team in each centre until local staff and those seconded from other centres were available.

The escort groups would then become a back-up group available for dispatch to any trouble spots.

Most men involved in tour duties would be uniformed police officers, although some C. 1.8. staff would be used. Plain clothes police would also be used for security, specially in the hotel where the Springboks were staying.

Mr Davies said the police were still not able to forecast the extent of disorder which might result from the tour.