Front ready to fight back at anti-racism march

By DONNA BIRKETT and MONIQUE DEVEREUX

Extremist right-wing group the New Zealand National Front, which has an anti-Asian policy and wants sex offenders executed, says it cannot guarantee that today's anti-racism march in Christchurch will be trouble-free.

The march has been organised by Hock Lee in response to what he believes is an increase in racially motivated attacks in the city.

Mr Lee claims the city has a culture of subtle racism that authorities turn a blind eye to.

National Front Christchurch co-ordinator Kyle Chapman said he expected that 15 members, including some skinheads, would attend the march.

He was also expecting "30 to 40 others with similar views about New Zealand patriotism".

His counter-rally was taking place because the Asian community was "complaining" about the city and New Zealand, which he said was offensive to working-class Kiwis.

He said his group would be peaceful but he had no control if other people attacked them.

He claimed "left-wing activists" opposed to the National Front's ideals had told him they would throw eggs at the group.

"You can't expect someone not to fight back when they're attacked."

Police say they will have "adequate" numbers to cover the event to ensure the safety of the organisers and marchers, but admitted they did not know what threat the group posed.

Acting Inspector Stu Munro said they could not gauge how many people would attend.

"We've been trying to gather intelligence in the last two days but there is little known about the National Front."

The quasi-political group claims to have more than 500 members nationwide and to be getting "10 to 15 membership inquiries" a day on its website.

Under "Immigration" the National Front website says only people of "European heritage" would be permitted to migrate to New Zealand.

"Immigrants not of European descent will be encouraged to repatriate to their country of origin or to move to another country."

It says to cut down the risk of invasion, New Zealanders should build up an active reserve and create a military industry to arm the population.

Under the heading "How to Deal with Sexual Offenders" the website says "countless amounts of taxpayers' money is being spent to rehabilitate those who should be permanently removed from the possibility of reoffending.

"We would like to put forward a mandatory death sentence for all repeat sex offenders.

"Those who offend against children could be executed for the first offence if it were proven without any doubt."