[CTC] TPP protest could turn 'confrontational' US citizens told

[Arthur Stamoulis]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/71128096/tpp-protest-could-turn-confrontational-us-citizens-told

TPP protest could turn 'confrontational' US citizens told
STACEY KIRK
Last updated 17:14, August 14 2015
The United States is warning its citizens in Auckland that a TPP protest planned for Saturday could turn ugly, and they should stay away. 

In an email, the US Consulate General in Auckland urged any US citizens to avoid the march as "even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational."

"We remind citizens to always exercise caution when in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations." 

Up to 8000 protesters are expected to gather on Auckland's Queen St, to march against the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free-trade agreement.

The 12-nation agreement is in the final throes of negotiation, but has been controversial due to the level of secrecy surrounding it. 

The US State Department email also mentions the risk of a terror threat ay any large gatherings. 

The US in particular has been on edge in recent days after the names of more than 1400 military men and women, including one Auckland man, was published by terrorist group ISIS.

The information was accompanied with a terrifying call-to-arms for homegrown terrorists to attack them.

It's understood the email warning is a matter of procedure, carried out by US State Officials for large-scale events in any country.

Similar warnings have been issued in the past; in 2014, three separate Auckland rallies for Palestine prompted calls to avoid the area, even though there was "no specific threat" to US nationals.

The entire election campaign period in Haiti this year, has sparked warnings for US locals. 

Green Party national intelligence and security spokesman Russel Norman said US consular staff needed to "relax". 

"This is democracy in action and it's not Ferguson. The police won't be shooting people, it's not scary. 

"They should just come along and they might learn something."

Norman said it was unlikely the warning had anything to do with bargaining positions on the TPP.


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