NEW ZEALAND

Over 100,000 sign petition asking protestors to “go home”

February 21, 2022

Report from RNZ

The organiser of the “Go Home” petition aimed at the anti-mandate protestors at Parliament says the protestors have made their point and it’s time for them to leave. Nearly 104,000 people have signed the change.org petition since it was started last Monday.

Organiser James Black – which isn’t his real name – told Morning Report the protestors are a minority, as most New Zealanders support the vaccine mandates.

He says he wanted to give the majority of New Zealanders the opportunity to voice their opposition to the occupation.

Black says he has received threats since starting the petition, but the support has been overwhelming.

Wellington Hospital says any outbreak of Omicron at the protest will add to an already stretched emergency department.

Chief Medical Officer Dr John Tait said the hospital had plans in place to deal with an influx of sick, infectious people, but planned surgeries and outpatient clinics would be delayed.

He said anyone with Covid symptoms at the protest should go home and contact their GP or community health service.