Written By: - Date published: 10:39 am, September 19th, 2008 - 160 comments
Categories: activism, election 2008, national -
Tags: capitalism vs democracy
From Newzblog:
“Local activist James Sleep was today exercising his democratic right to protest when he was approached by an entourage of 4WDs carrying Wairapara MP John Hayes and John Key. Sleep attempted to get out of the way however he soon found himself being propelled backwards by the force of Hayes’ car. The car continued to accelerate for 20 metres until bystanders forced him to stop. Sleep described the incident as frightening and thought he was going to be run over. When the car stopped Sleep was aggressively tackled onto the ground by a male escorting Hayes.
Sleep has since laid complaints of assault and careless driving with the New Zealand Police.”
James Sleep is just a keen 17 year old participating in the democratic process and John Hayes put his life in danger. So what if he was in the way? It’s not OK to drive your vehicle into a human being. I don’t care how desperate for power you are or how heated an exchange gets, in our country resorting to violence over political differences is never acceptable.
John Key smiles and promises National will run a clean campaign yet National activist Cameron Slater launches disgusting attacks on every leftwinger whose name he can get hold of with National research unit help, the Nats launch vexatious EFA complaints against every leftwinger who dares voice opposition to them, gangs of young Nats have gone around Auckland destroying Labour Party hoardings, Tony Ryall has promised repercussions to DHBs that publicise good news, and threats have been made against a number of leftwing activists including myself by National’s bully-boys. All of this has now culminated in Hayes’ assault on Sleep.
I have just spoken to James and he is shaken but undaunted; the forces of established power have attempted to intimidate the Left into submission for generations but we will never be cowed by bullies, there is no question of that. No, the question is: will Key now show some leadership and punish those people who are making his promise of a clean campaign a lie? Will he force Hayes to resign for this unconscionable attack? This has gone too far.
[James's account here]
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Steve:
The more sides we see the better decisions we make.
You really need to read Jame’s Version of events again.
did somebody say hayes has a deleted cranium?
randal wins. (again)
[lprent: deleted. Is that you dad?. ]
huzzah worst thread ever.
Thanks Eve dear
I’d like to go on the record, as a rightie, saying that if James’ version of events is true (and I’m not saying they weren’t, but it is true in the heat of an event like that memories arent always 100%) it is appaling behavious on Haye’s part. If it is true, he should be publicly censored by John Key and the National Party. And I am sure will also face the suitable penalties from the justice system.
“I find it interesting that the blogger wrote, he tried to get out of the way, yet judging by the photo, he seems to be doing his best to stand in front of the moving car.’
How can you tell the car is moving or that James was standing still? It’s a photo.
redfish:
If the car was moving james would be seriously hurt.
theo, good man.
Evidence? All we have seen is a one sided view from an anti-national protester. James has made a complaint to the police, and ill be eager to see the result. But I have an awfully funny feeling James will not be vindicated, nor will the driver be charged. Someone is spilling alot of bullshit at the moment, and I think the smell is coming from James’s way. Not only are the claims ludicrous, but his overall demeanour suggests he out of anyone is not to be trusted.
Also, I take offence to your criticism about Tony Ryall’s comments. Ryall has genuine concern that the DHB is going to overly emphasis “good news” in the build up to the election, and considering previous issues about Labour promoting government departments to go around election funding laws, Ryall has a real issue.
travellerev,
Ridicule is the last resort of the intellectually lazy.
Then,
You are the sack of shit in the story. Get used to it.
Need I say more?
I see stuff has a story about it.
Randal does indeed win here!
This thread has been absolutely hillarious. You get the feeling that, had john key’s goon pulled out an oozy and mowed young Sleep down, there would still be some right wing idiots here defending the Nat’s actions. Way to discredit yourself guys!
‘yourselves’ that is. btw, where has the edit function gone?
I really dunno what to say about Labour using a young mentally handicapped person to attack the Nats. It either sad, ironic or appropriate. The latter most likely.
Better Dead Than Red
September 20, 2008 at 8:31 pm
I really dunno what to say about Labour using a young mentally handicapped person to attack the Nats. It either sad, ironic or appropriate. The latter most likely.
John Hayes isn’t young ,hes a senile dinosaur.
…pulled out an oozy…
Don’t be vile RN.
grow up billy
Any word on the police investigation? Has the video shown up anywhere?
so, did this actually happen? I have not seen any coverage of this anywhere? Can James inform us if charges are going to be laid?