Threat Assessment Unit Actively Monitoring Activism

For those that don't know, last June (2004) detectives from the Threat Assessment Unit raided the homes of members and associates of Auckland Animal Action, supposedly in connection with two anti-fur protests held outside a fashion boutique in New Market a month earlier.

They removed not only all the belongings of Auckland Animal Action,including computers, banners, placards, and anything else in relation to activism, but also personal diaries, as well as anything in connection with any other activists eg letters and phone numbers etc.

The Threat Assessment Unit is still busy monitoring activists and not just those in the Animal Rights movement.

A member of the Threat Assessment Unit (Michael Cartwright) was spotted with his camera today (5/03/05) at the Counter March against Destiny Cult and the National Front in Auckland. As usual he was keeping a low profile and if you didn't know who he was, you would never have guessed he was police.

However, he was quickly spotted by an activist who had had the pleasure of him turning up at her home, with a search and arrest warrant (in connection with the above mentioned anti-fur protests).

The Threat Assessment Unit is comprised of a core group of primary detectives with additional detectives directed to assist where needed. These detectives may be drawn from such areas within the Auckland Metro Crime Services as the Criminal Intelligence Section or the Asian Crime Unit.

Detectives from the Threat Assessment Unit monitor and gather intelligence on animal rights groups as well as other types of activists involved in protest.

Part of this intelligence gathering includes attending protest action of various kinds without making their presence known to protesters. The aim of this is to familiarize themselves with protesters identities, involvement, and associations with each other and groups they are representing. The detectives are attempting to become familiar with the identities of activists, their actions and monitoring and following ongoing campaigns.

In the spirit of democracy, and in protection of our civil liberties and right to protest, please spread his attached photo, along with this information, far and wide.