KEY POINTS:
The organiser of a protest against anti-Asian violence which attracted a crowd of more than 10,000 says if he does not see Government action he will stage another rally twice the size with people of all cultures involved.
The Asian Anti-crime Group is lobbying Parliament for stronger laws
and tougher sentences after a number of high-profile murders of Asians.
A procession spanning about 2.5km marched from Botany Downs to Ti Rakau Drive in South Auckland on Saturday.
Organiser Peter Low told the Herald yesterday that he had not heard from the Government following the protest and was planning on another one in October unless there was drastic change.
"What is Annette King doing? Passing the ball around, playing basketball. We want answers now. We want a solution.
"We want the justice system to be tougher, look into the parole system. The community is angry, frustrated, confused by the law."
The East Auckland importer said he had vigilantes in training to stop further attacks.
Groups of 20 people attend six workshops teaching them martial art skills and how to handle various situations.
Women were also being taught how to look after their handbags.
He is hoping to have the groups patrolling South Auckland streets within the next few months.
If authorities don't allow the vigilante groups, the AAG will consider hiring Triads, Mr Low said.
The workshops follow the murders of three people of Asian ethnicity in South Auckland recently.
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 carpark after her handbag was snatched. She died in hospital.
Mr Low, who is funding the AAG from his own pocket, is hoping to meet the police commissioner to discuss the rules surrounding citizen's arrests.
"If someone comes in, ruining our community, we want the right to arrest them and hand them over to the police," Mr Low said.
"Then the justice system has to be tough otherwise [the criminals] go in for a holiday and come out again."
The Crimes Act 1961 states that any New Zealand citizen, resident or visa-holder can make a citizen's arrest on anyone committing a crime at night, or anyone committing a crime punishable by more than three years' imprisonment during the day.
Police Minister Annette King responded to the march by saying the community had to work better together and it took more than tougher laws and greater numbers of police to keep the public safe.
