New Zealand / Activism

Photo essay: How the Posie Parker rally unravelled in Auckland

20:07 pm on 25 March 2023

Photo: RNZ / Jordan Dunn

Counter-protesters have forced British anti-trans activist Posie Parker to abandon her rally in Auckland today.

More than a thousand people, mostly opposing the views of the British activist, threw water, juice and eggs at her as she tried to deliver a speech from the gazebo at Albert Park in the central city.

There are reports by The New Zealand Herald and Stuff that Parker has been seen at Auckland International Airport checking in for an Emirates flight tonight, but RNZ has not yet confirmed this.

In a statement the group Speak Up For Women NZ said "tomorrow's Let Women Speak gathering in Wellington has been cancelled," although Parker herself has not made a final decision, she told RNZ.

Parker's security staff escorted her out of the park when protesters stormed the gazebo, and she was taken away from the area in a police car.

Protesters said they were not impressed with Parker's Let Women Speak tour.

"This kind of speech in New Zealand just isn't typical and we'd like to show them that. Quiet simply, peacefully, loudly, but we are here," said one of the protesters.

"Hate speech is still hate speech, even if you say the words Women's right over and over again," voiced another.

Parker, who is also known as Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, has drawn fire over supporters at her recent Melbourne event gave Nazi salutes.

Here is a timeline of what happened at Albert Park this morning, captured by RNZ's Jordan Dunn and Rayssa Almeida.

LGBTQIA+ supporters gathered at Albert Park in protest of British anti-trans activist earlier this morning. Counter-protestors were far more present and visible than Parker's supporters, which appeared to include members of the Action Zealandia group, with the crowd loudly chanting "go home Posie, go home". Photo: RNZ / Jordan Dunn

Posie Parker films the crowd after appearing at Albert Park. She reportedly had paint, water and egg flung at her, and was pushed and shoved. Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull has since said the situation was shameful. Photo: RNZ / Rayssa Almeida

Counter protesters flood the gazebo where Parker was expected to make her speech. Photo: RNZ / Jordan Dunn

Protesters at the rally. Photo: RNZ/ Jordan Dunn

Protesters at the rally. Photo: RNZ / Jordan Dunn

Opposing views in confrontation at the rally. Photo: RNZ / Jordan Dunn

Parker and members of her entourage were pelted with a substance resembling tomato sauce as they made their way to the Albert Park rotunda. Photo: Supplied / Facebook

Protesters at the rally. Photo: RNZ / Jordan Dunn

Placards with picture of Georgina Beyer, world's first openly transgender MP, who died earlier in March this year, at the rally. Photo: RNZ / Jordan Dunn

Protesters gathered at Queen Street and Aotea Square in Auckland after Parker was escorted away by the police. Photo: RNZ / Jordan Dunn

Watch: Posie Parker is rushed away from the protest: