‘People power’: Assault arrest at protest could be due to social media sleuths

Social media users rallied together in amplifying the search for the alleged attacker of a pro-Palestine protest action in Greenlane, Tāmaki Makaurau on Wednesday evening.

A video, showing a man wielding a steel rod and striking the woman behind the camera, quickly circulated online and may have helped Police in locating the assailant.

Community advocate Michel Mulipola, known as The Bloody Samoan, attended the activation and had a verbal altercation with the alleged perpetrator.

In a social media post, Mulipola thanks the community for pulling together ,allowing him to file an updated report with Police.

“People power works. Thanks to the internet detective skills of someone who had seen this video, they’ve sent me amazing evidence identifying the alleged assailant.”

The assaulted woman, Kerry Sorensen-Tyrer was in high spirits even after the attack, and says her fight is for marginalised peoples.

“What happened to me is nothing compared to the slaughter and bombardment of Palestinians for 3 months and 75 years!!!!

“Please let’s use this as an example that hatred gets us nowhere! Hate just breeds more hate and the world needs kindness and peace! It needs us to stand together and say enough is enough! We need to free Palestinians from oppression and from starvation, war and genocide!"

Kerry Sorensen-Tyrer before and after the assault, remains in high spirits. Photo/Instagram

Organised by the Palestinian Youth Aotearoa community group and the Māori Solidarity Group, the protest had about 50 flag-waving supporters.

Mulipola told PMN it was a peaceful gathering on the Omahu Rd overpass, with a positive reception from most people passing by.

He believes the attack was intentional.

“This guy was definitely filled with rage and he specifically walked over to create this situation and escalate the situation with violence. It was premeditated, I would say in terms of what he planned to do and it just took us by surprise.”

Mulipola says despite such aggression, he encourages supporters will remain true to a peaceful stance.

“For us as kaiāwhina (helper/advocate), as people involved in these community actions, peace is the kaupapa.

“We’re gonna get agitators, we’re gonna get aggressors but that’s not the focus. Escalation and violent reaction only goes to vilify the movement, the people and the community. So for us, peace is the kaupapa.”

Police located a 48-year old man early this morning, arresting and charging him with injuries with reckless disregard and he will appear in Auckland District Court next week.