The book includes the voices of 15 people who were seriously impacted by the raids at Ruatoki and elsewhere throughout Aotearoa. All of these people are clear that not only were the terrorism charges ridiculous but that the ongoing cases are all about police trying to save face. They raise the questions about the real agenda of the Government of the day in targeting Tuhoe and a range of activists who did not have a conspiracy to wreak major violence against the state; some of them did not know each other and some were whanau. 

The book gives a very fresh and immediate insight into the events of October 15 and subsequent days. It is particularly disturbing in terms of the long-term impacts on the raids on the Tuhoe whanau, from children terrified, adults humiliated and traumatised and lives placed on hold. Meanwhile the Crown scrabbles for evidence in  cases which are now reduced to firearms charges or “participation in an organised criminal group”.

Tamati Kruger lead negotiator for Tuhoe and Te Urewera was present at the book launch as well as other Tuhoe whanau who had travelled from the heart of the forest to the event in Wellington. For them this event is a continuation of state terror versus self-determination and echoes the experience of Rua Kenana at Maungapohatu. Armed police searching citizens on the exact spot where a confiscation line was drawn in the 1880’s would tend to reinforce the experience of ongoing historical assault.    

It would seem the police raids have built a strong sense of unity between some of the tangata whenua and the urban activist communities across the country but I am not sure that was the police’s intention.

The trial date has been set for May 30 2011 and in the meantime I urge people to buy and read this book.

I will not forget the conversations I had with people from Ruatoki about short term and long term trauma for their tamariki, and with the people who became afraid to leave their homes and afraid to stay at home. It was also very disturbing to hear stories from young families of armed police bursting through their doors and rummaging through their baby’s clothing drawers.

Tuhoe bore the worst and let us not forget that Tuhoe remain an unconquered people who paid the price of their independence.

This week the Green Party supports the cultural events commemorating the human rights outrages and the spirit of solidarity and activism.

So let all activists and community people working for change remember October 15th and lets support the cool art exhibition, workshops and art auction this Saturday. The name of the exhibition is “Explosive Expression.”

If you have never heard the words “Come out with your hands up” bellowed through your broken doorway at dawn, please don’t imagine it cannot happen.