Saunoamaali’i Dr Karanina Sumeo shared her thoughts on Black Lives Matter today, a movement which is galvanizing communities worldwide following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in the United States.
The EEO Commissioner for the New Zealand Human Rights Commission said she was not surprised by the Pasifika turnout at New Zealand’s Black Lives Matter marches in solidarity, given our people’s own history of racial discrimination such as the Dawn Raids.
“I think when our people went out, it was about what’s happening in the United States, but I think it was also very much about fears for themselves and our communities.”
“It did signal to me how strongly our people feel about this issue – and not just Pacific people; Māori, our ethnic communities and also our Pākehā brothers and sisters were there.”
“It sends a strong message to our politicians, to police, to the government services that this is a real issue for us.”
Saunoamaali’i praised the peaceful approach to local protests by both protestors and the New Zealand Police. She said New Zealand must hold on to its approach of engaging in talanoa with the community “before we arm things”.
“Our way has always been about the va, our relationships. So that’s without weapons; it’s about our words and our genuine consultation with our community.”
“It is the New Zealand way, and it is the Pacific way; guns is not our way.”
“We know through peaceful protest that’s how Samoa gained independence… So that is our way, and it’s really important we don’t lose track of that and we don’t lose trust in our police and our government.”
Watch the full interview above.
