korero

war veterans and political leaders are disgusted by an anti- war protest that allegedly included the burning of the new zealand flag during anzac day celebrations in wellington.
two members of a group called peace action wellington, protesting at the deployment of troops overseas, were arrested after the incident on the grounds of victoria university's law school opposite a dawn ceremony at the cenotaph.
valerie morse, 35, was charged with offensive behaviour for allegedly burning the new zealand flag.
mark daniel rawnsley, 29, faces charges of obstruction and resisting arrest after allegedly trying to disrupt the service by blowing a plastic horn. the pair were remanded to reappear on may 22 at a hearing in the wellington district court yesterday.
in a separate incident, vandals attacked an anzac day site in patea, south taranaki, smashing crosses arranged around the town's cenotaph.
last night, politicians and ex- servicemen joined in their condemnation of the wellington group's actions. brian mannix, who fought in vietnam, said the protest was a disgrace to the country.
"i stand on anzac day to remember my family, to remember my mates," mannix said. "anzac Day is not glorifying the military. it is not celebrating war. it is the day that we repay respect to the people that fought for our freedom."

speaks for itself really. how can anyone think that anzac day is an appropriate day to protest? my whanau went to war for this place and its people. we do not need the insult. grow up.