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Graham Adams's avatar

Free speech advocates (including the FSU) have long pointed out that backing censorship is dangerous because sooner or later the censors will come for you. The tide has turned and the censorious left have been exposed. Suddenly they think barging into an event to close it down is morally reprehensible. Funny that it wasn't viewed that way just a couple of years ago at Albert Park.

Hoist with their own petard.

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Yvonne van Dongen's avatar

Thing is they can’t see it Graham. So they’ll never learn this lesson. They’re the infallible, morally righteous, lefty brigade. Such subtleties elude them.

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Astra Lucia Verum Omni's avatar

Where is the thuggery and violence supposedly displayed by the only ones who stood up to this recent Rainbowery? And shouldn't the police be neutral? They had a rainbow painted car take part in the parade so seems like nothing has changed since Albert Park and Rhona Stace still calling the shots?

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Yvonne van Dongen's avatar

I fear you’re right.

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Astra Lucia Verum Omni's avatar

FSU is disappointing me right now about this though, to the point I'm starting to regret supporting them, hmmm. Wonder if they only read MSM's biased take on the whole saga? Is there only one side that has a right to protest?

"Free Speech Union

Thugs' Veto to Silence Rainbow Event Appalling

Actions at a Rainbow event in Auckland taken by members of Destiny Church's 'Man Up' programme to disrupt and intimidate children are appalling, and must be condemned in the strongest terms. Those who live in glasshouses shouldn't throw stones, and setting the precedent for silencing unpopular ideas will not play out well for the group long-term, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union.

"Brian Tamaki and his supporters at Destiny Church and in the 'Man Up' programme are fully entitled to condemn Rainbow events with children participating, and peacefully counter protest. Barging into the facility, banging on doors, and attempting to enter the room is not free speech, though.

"Taking actions of this kind, especially in a context that frightened children and intimidated their parents, is the antithesis of contributing 'better ideas' into discourse.

"If this event is breaking the law, call the police. Parents get to choose what ideas, within the law, they expose their children to. A leader of a controversial church should value this freedom more and think carefully about vandalising the public's acceptance of this fact. Vigilante 'justice' is no justice at all.

"The Free Speech Union has consistently stood against the Thugs' Veto in every context. It is not free speech to use disruption and intimidation to force others into silence. This is true at Albert Park, this is true with Rainbow events. We must work to reject this tactic and preserve the right for different perspectives to be freely shared in New Zealand."

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Yvonne van Dongen's avatar

I guess he’s right about Tamaki barging in while children are there though I’m sympathetic with his aims. Not the best way to protest though.

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LDA's avatar

I do question why any parent would take their children to a pride march though. The ones overseas have featured semi naked men in leather fetish gear, and NZ always tries to imitate what happens internationally so that desperate Wannabees can pretend they're living in a cosmopolitan, sophisticated society.

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Graham Adams's avatar

"The Free Speech Union has consistently stood against the Thugs' Veto in every context."

That is true, and anyone dedicated to free speech as a matter of principle can only agree with them. However, that can't prevent schadenfreude being part of the response as the left are taught the very lesson they have been warned about for years: one day the tide will turn and you're not going to have a leg to stand on when you complain about bullying and thuggery. That time has come.

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Astra Lucia Verum Omni's avatar

I agree with that to a point Yvonne, but I haven't seen any footage of them anywhere near any children, nor any pics of them near Hugo the self confessed slut and Drag King (who I'm sure would actually scare the shhhhiiit out of my 2 year old grand child). See more about "him" here and how "he" specifically targets 2 -- 10 year olds.

https://www.aucklandnz.com/events/hugos-rainbow-show-auckland-pride-festival-2025

I didn't see any violence either when Man UP did a haka protesting during the parade?

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Yvonne van Dongen's avatar

No nothing during the haka but I saw tv footage of the Tamaki men barging into the library. The parents who attend beat me???

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Astra Lucia Verum Omni's avatar

Well, why shouldn't Man Up have been let in though? It's a public space paid for by our rates... And why is Auckland Council advertising and supporting these grooming events?

By the way, Hipkins is hilarious, saying Brian Tamaki is not a "real man" but just a "boy". He should speak, he who can't even define what a woman is!!!

And yes, what are these parents thinking? It's not like Hugo can sing even! lol

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Yvonne van Dongen's avatar

Actually I just checked the footage and you’re right. They didn’t appear to be aggressive. Just noisy and doing a haka. Don’t the luvvies like a good haka?

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Megan Freyne's avatar

Like your work Yvonne.

Free Speech is paramount.

Sadly I’m sick of writing to Government Ministers and local councillors and lunatic woke Govt and non Govt departments with my sage advice 😂. I’ve had replies on rare occasions and nothing changes. I’m hoping you and the generation after you will sort out New Zealand.

Megan

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Yvonne van Dongen's avatar

Thanks Megan. I know how you feel. I generally support the Free Speech Union but I don’t agree with their support of drag story hour. There’s free speech and there’s grooming. She’s a tiring fight all right but we’ll win this one because gender woo is too mad for all but those who have lost their minds completely.

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Astra Lucia Verum Omni's avatar

By the way, how much money have taxpayers shelled out for this Hugo person's shows? S/he has already done many library shows around the country, plus is approved for TV via NZ on Air to the tune of 1,12 million NZ dollars for 8 x 12 minutes.

https://www.collaborate.co.nz/journal/nz-on-air-greenlights-new-kiwi-shows-for-2025

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The 80’s Called.'s avatar

The thin ( barely there)blue line at Albert Park was more like string !

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Katrina Biggs's avatar

So good to hear that Pride is getting increasingly boring to old and young alike.

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LDA's avatar

I wouldn't see Chris Hopkins as an authority on men. He can't even define a woman.

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Feb 16
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Yvonne van Dongen's avatar

Yup he’s a knob but there’s little else in the National lineup to choose from. I say let him stay and let the right votes migrate to Act and NZ First.

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Feb 16
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Yvonne van Dongen's avatar

You’re scaring me now!

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Feb 16
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Yvonne van Dongen's avatar

The prospect of Labour returning. Terrifying.

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Feb 16
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