New Zealand demonstrators perform Haka in solidarity with US George Floyd protesters

Protesters in New Zealand on Wednesday performed a haka, the ceremonial Maori dance, to express solidarity with Americans protesting the death of George Floyd.

The group performed the haka in front of the U. S. consulate in Auckland’s central business district Monday during Auckland’s Black Lives Matter demonstration.

Although the dance is associated with war, it has also historically been used in peacetime, to welcome guests or demonstrate unity.

Thousands gathered in the city’s Aotea Square Monday, which Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said “breached the rules” of the country’s coronavirus lockdown, which currently limits public gatherings to 100 people, according to 1News.

Assistant Commissioner Lauano Sue Schwalger said the demonstrators would not be prosecuted, saying police decided to take "an educative approach with organizers on this occasion".

"Police spoke to organizers of Monday's events to ensure they were aware of the guidelines for mass gatherings under Alert Level 2 restrictions," she said. "Organizers made an effort to ensure participants complied with the guidelines... It was an unfortunately reality, with the numbers of ... (Read more)

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