New Zealand author Avi Yemini faced threats of violence that led to the cancellation of his book launch event at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul. Left-wing activists targeted the church, causing panic and forcing the cancellation of the event that had been planned for months. Despite knowing who Yemini was and his views when the venue was booked, the church attempted to blame Yemini for the threats. However, Yemini’s views had not changed, and the blame shifted to the activists who had instigated the threats.
Finding a new venue for hundreds of people on short notice was a challenge. Nevertheless, Pastor Brian Tamaki and the Destiny Church stepped in to help. The book launch was relocated to the Destiny Church in Lower Hutt, with at least six professional security guards in place to ensure the safety of attendees.
The threats of violence against Yemini’s book launch and the targeting of a church are indicative of a concerning trend in New Zealand. Just a few months prior, British advocate for women’s rights, Posie Parker, was physically assaulted by left-wing activists while on tour in the country. It is alarming that the New Zealand government seems to tolerate violence when it is aimed at their political adversaries.
Yemini believes it is crucial for New Zealand politicians to condemn this form of political terrorism. He also calls on the police and prosecutors to investigate the individuals behind the threats. The government’s previous attempts to keep Yemini out of the country have made their stance on free speech questionable. Yemini anticipates that the media may attempt to blame him and side with the extremists responsible for the threats.
Despite the challenges and risks, Yemini is determined to proceed with the book launch event. He believes that New Zealanders value freedom of speech and assembly and should not reward violent threats. Yemini will provide updates on the situation as it unfolds.
In addition to Yemini’s book launch, readers are encouraged to explore other campaigns he is involved in. These include book tour events in Auckland, Wellington, and Melbourne, as well as the opportunity to order a copy of his book, “A Rebel From the Start.”
It is important for society to stand against the use of violence to suppress free speech and to support individuals like Avi Yemini who are willing to challenge the status quo. By doing so, we uphold democratic values and ensure that differing perspectives can be heard and debated in a peaceful manner.
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