Gaza War Protests: Council Takes Drastic Steps to Protect Memorial Bridge In Wake of Vandalism
In a drastic step, the Council has wrapped part of the Bridge of Remembrance in plastic, after vandals tag it in Pro-Palestine & Anti-Israel graffiti & fears of damage from cleaning.
As protests organised by John Minto’s Palestine Solidarity Network Alliance (PSNA) have grown in traction, the Christchurch City Council has taken the unusual step of wrapping plastic around the northern column of the Bridge of Remembrance in an effort to protect the city heritage item.
“As this asset is being targeted so often we are taking all practicable to ensure we are no making the damage to a heritage worse,” wrote the Christchurch City Council Parks team.
A memorial to the city’s fallen service personnel from past wars and conflicts, the bridge and the adjoining square have become the unofficial city centre in the wake of the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes and popularity of Riverside Market.
Since anti-vaccine, mandate and government protests begun post March 2020, other protest movements, buskers, and religious groups have been a common sight. And after the Hamas-Israel war broke out on 7 October, Pro-Palestine and Pro-Israel supporters have been using the space.
Above: A pro-Israel vigil marking the 100th day since the October 7 Hamas massacre.
The area in question and the surrounding stone have been subjected to pro-Palestine and anti-Israel rhetoric such as “Free Palestine” and “Fuck Israel”.
Protesters associated with John Minto’s Palestine Solidarity Network Alliance (PSNA) have become a prominent feature of the Free Palestine movement across the country. At this time there is no evidence that members of the PSNA or supporters of its work are directly responsible for the acts of vandalism. The NZR has written to Minto, the PSNA chair, for a response.
In November, Sir Buck Shelford, the National President of the Royal New Zealand Returned Servicemen’s Association expressed dismay about the unfolding vandalism.
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