Post by kokonutwoman on Oct 11, 2008 12:15:26 GMT 12
Abuse over party flags seen as racist
By JO McKENZIE-McLEAN - The Press | Saturday, 11 October 2008
A Christchurch woman believes racism is rife after suffering abuse and vandalism while flying Maori Party flags from her car.
Hineata Kotara, of Linwood, said her car had been vandalised twice in the past three weeks including flags being ripped from her car windows and her bumper being damaged.
"Other parties have big billboards out but we have not managed to get ours yet so the only way we can show support is through flags and stickers. It's just sad we are getting them pulled off.
"I think it's wrong and just proves how much racism there is in this city. My daughter is too scared to fly one and I think that's wrong the way we haven't got the freedom to be able to show who we support in this country.
"I send away for mine to Wanganui and I don't get them for nothing. It costs a lot of money."
The latest incident happened at Eastgate Mall last week, when two flags were pulled from her windows, which were damaged in the process, she said.
Kotara said she had also been verbally abused while driving.
"I just waved at them like the Queen of England because I wasn't going to lower myself to their level."
At times, however, the abuse could be scary and Kotara had notified police of the incidents.
Kotara's cousin, Liz McKnight, said she had also been abused for flying Maori Party flags from her car.
"It's interesting because the negative reactions of the public are from the older generations. One woman gave me the finger and she was about 63. I asked her why she did that and she told me it was because I was flying an illegal flag.
"In another incident I had a van-load of men coming up behind me and they were like seething monkeys, spitting, giving me the fingers. What can you do?"
McKnight said one of their friends had also had his Maori Party flags cut off from their plastic support which is fastened to the inside of the window while his car was parked in Merivale.
"I could take them off but I'm not going to. The positive support keeps you going. It's about freedom of speech and expression and we are avid supporters (of the Maori Party)."
Maori Party candidate for Te Tai Tonga Rahui Katene said the actions of some members of the public were worrying.
"We always get a reaction when we fly the flag, and it's great because it's usually positive, but to have people now pulling flags off and damaging them and making negative comments is really worrying. The closer we get to the election, it seems these stories are widespread." There had also been reports of abuse and vandalism in Wellington.
Not surprised in Christchurch they're a funny lot down here