Protesters succeed in closing ANZ bank branch

Organisers of a protest in Auckland this morning are pleased they succeeded in closing a central branch of ANZ, but say similar action in Dunedin yesterday was misrepresented by media.

350 Aotearoa executive director Niamh O’Flynn was the organiser of both protests, which seek to create awareness about ANZ’s investment in fossil fuel exploration as part of the group’s ‘Break Free’ campaign.

Video and photographic coverage of the protest in Dunedin’s George St yesterday showed elderly ANZ customers being blocked and tripped up by protesters, resulting in them being carried over the blockade by police to enter the bank.

However, Mrs O’Flynn and another 350 Aotearoa spokesperson said it wasn’t shown in a fair light.

“We [at 350 Aotearoa] believe the media coverage from yesterday’s protests was incredibly skewed and not a great representation of what happened at all,” said Mrs O’Flynn.

Former New Zealand director of fundraising for Greenpeace, and 350 Aotearoa board member Michael Tritt, agreed with Mrs O’Flynn about the coverage of the Dunedin event.

“I think they were successful in brewing attention for the cause, however the way the police and media handled protesters wasn’t ideal,” Mr Tritt said.

“ANZ invests in a ruinous future for my children” is scribbled on the pavement outside ANZ. Photo: Sam Parsons

The protest began in Auckland this morning with protesters gathering outside the Victoria Street West ANZ branch doors around 8am, where they linked arms and faced towards the public in a blockade.

Signs were erected and messages were written on the pathway with chalk, including one that read “Why are you funding your own destruction” addressed to ANZ. Protesters also tagged the windows of the bank with slogans.

Mrs O’Flynn told reporters at the event that protesters had been successful in closing the bank to customers, but were going to remain in place.

“We’re going to sit tight until the bank branch turns its lights off and the employees go home as well,” said Mrs O’Flynn.

Police officers at the event were not willing to make a formal comment, however said they intended to let the protesters stay in place.

Stefan Herrick, senior manager of external communications for ANZ, said staff would remain at work despite the blockade outside.

“ANZ fully supports New Zealander’s rights to freedom of speech, but employees inside the ANZ branch will continue to work today,” said Mr Herrick.

“We are closed to customers, but employees will continue to work as a normal day,” said Mr Herrick.