Protests and provocation

Press, 9 November 1983, Page 20

Protests and provocation

A nuclear-powered submarine of the United States Navy, the U.S.S Phoenix, is due to arrive at Auckland at 9 a.m. today on a good will visit. As is their right, several hundred people have organised a flotilla of up to 180 small craft to take part in a demonstration protesting against the submarine’s visit. Other demonstrations of opposition to the visit have been arranged, including marches, vigils, and rallies. On the history of similar protests against the visits of nuclear-powered vessels to New Zealand, the water-borne demonstration at the time of the U.S.S. Phoenix’s arrival is likely to be the centre-piece of protest. Different people have different reasons for opposing the submarine’s visit. Their views, no doubt, are as earnestly and sincerely held as they are varied. Sincere commitment to a belief is no reason for foolishness, bravado, or irresponsible behaviour, however. The arrangements for the armada have been undertaken by an organisation that calls itself the Auckland Peace Squadron. It is unfortunate that the organisation’s spokesman, Mr James Keogh, has chosen to announce that breaches of the law during the protest “are inevitable.” Breaches of the law will occur only if protesters choose to commit them. Mr Keogh’s statement indicates, at the very least, that a decision has already been taken that some demonstrators will deliberately go out of their way to break the law, either as a consequence of some deed of protest or as an act of civil disobedience in itself.

Long gone are the days of dignified and responsible protest. The laws in question today are the laws of navigation and the by-laws of the Auckland Harbour Board — laws that have no other purpose than the safety of all vessels and of all people who might be on the

Waitemata Harbour this morning. The laws no more interfere with the freedoms of those who apparently intend to break them, and no more endanger their philosophies or quality of life, than does the law that requires motorists to drive on the left hand side of the toad. What responsible person, opposed, say, to the levels of lead in petrol, could contemplate cycling around city streets on the wrong side of the road in protest? What responsible person could condone such action? The principle is much the same.

The self-avowed purpose of this morning’s demonstration on the Waitemata Harbour is to impede and, if possible, prevent the U.S.S. Phoenix from navigating the channel past Rangitoto Island. The results of similar actions in the past have been water-borne dodgems, contriving close calls and near misses between protesting craft and the target of their disfavour. It should not be necessary for severe injury or death to result from such bravado for it to be seen as the foolishness it is. Even a protester bent on martyrdom should remember that such acts can endanger others who might, for instance, be forced to take avoiding action with unforeseen consequences. No matter that the label “peace” is used as an umbrella for the demonstration; in the past, these demonstrations have become the excuse for acts of provocation and belligerence on the part of so-called peaceful demonstrators. The only result has been to bring into disrepute the form of protest and, by association, the reason for protest. The demonstrators against the arrival of the U.S.S. Phoenix will achieve much more for their cause if they show themselves to be responsible people and act within the laws that provide for their safety and the safety of others.