A rainbow flag has appeared amongst the placards and tents of the Occupy protest site in central Auckland. The protesters sheltering in a tent from today's rain say "a fair number of gays and lesbians" have been part of the group "for some time" but they were not evident today. "We're anti-state-sanctioned inequality," says protester Corey Linton (pictured). "We're against discrimination. We're promoting equal rights at all levels and that includes things such as the right of gay people to get married, just like straight people can." Linton says the small group of tents, camped on a grassy Queen Street plot opposite Aotea Square, is only part of the protest. The original Aotea Square group has "splintered" according to Linton, with some now located in Victoria Park. The Occupy movement, broadly protesting social and economic disparities in society, began in New York and has spread to a number of other cities around the world.
Credit: Gaynz.com Daily News
First published: Saturday, 31st December 2011 - 6:28pm