A group of six anti-Israeli activists who protested against Shahar Peer during a tournament in New Zealand 22 months ago have had any cases against them dropped by a court in Auckland.
The activists were all initially found guilty by the Auckland District Court of disorderly behavior at the calendar opening ASB Classic after using megaphones to protest the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians.
Such was the volume and force of their protest that play had to be briefly suspended.
At a High Court hearing in Auckland, Justice Paul Heath threw out the charges and protester John Minto celebrated saying: “It is a victory for democracy in New Zealand, a victory for the right to dissent.
“We have a democracy here, and dissent and the right to public protest is what keeps democracy going.”
“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”
Topics: Shahar Peer