25 May 2012

Iti, Kemara supporters stage noisy protest outside prison

12:02 am on 25 May 2012

Up to 100 people gathered outside Mount Eden Prison on Thursday protesting against the jail sentence for two of the people arrested in the Te Urewera raids case.

The group, including veteran protester John Minto, made its points by banging pots and pans as loudly as possible.

Tame Iti and Te Rangikaiwhiria Kemara were sentenced to two years six months for having firearms and molotov cocktails at military-style training camps at Ruatoki in 2007.

Their co-accused, Urs Signer and Emily Bailey, have been sentenced informally to nine months, but the judge has adjourned their case to assess whether that term can be served at home.

The protesters called the prison sentence a gross injustice.

About 11 police officers and prison security guards were at the scene during the protest.