By Xinhua,
Wellington : An estimated 10,000 people marched on Saturday in New Zealand’s largest city of Auckland in protest against violence crime against Asians.
Police said the demonstration, in the suburb of Botany Downs, extended 2.5 km, Radio New Zealand reported.
The march was organized by the Asian Anti-Crime Group. It began at 11:30 am on Saturday (23:30 GMT Friday) in protest over recent killings in south Auckland.
The chairman of the group, Peter Low, hoped it will alert politicians to how people feel.
Low said most marchers had direct experience of crime and live in fear, adding that they want tougher laws and more police.
Low said politicians have ignored the feelings of people, especially the Asian population, for too long but the numbers protesting on Saturday means they have to listen.
Amid heavy rain, the march moved to the sounds of drums. Some people bore black coffins and placards with the names of those killed. Others carried their pictures.
Three people of Asian descent have died in homicides in Manukau City over the past month. Liquor store owner Navtej Singh, 30, was fatally shot at his shop on June 7.
A week later, Yan Ping Yang, 80, died after having been attacked by an intruder in her home.
On June 16, Joanne Wang, 39, was knocked down by a stolen vehicle in a shopping mall car park after her handbag was snatched. She died in hospital.
The opposition National Party believed Auckland’s Asian community has proven itself a force to be reckoned with, after turnout at Saturday’s demonstration against crime doubled organizers’ estimates.
Pansy Wong, a member of the parliament of the National Party, said many Asian people are fed up with out-of-control violence and tired of inaction. She said people feel the issue is being swept under the carpet. Wong said the Asian community is organizing a petition to take to Wellington, demanding a tougher line on violent crime.