Violence During Speech By Miss Bartlett (Press, 20 May 1972)
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Summary: Violence During Speech By Miss Bartlett (Press, 20 May 1972)
On May 19, 1972, a speech delivered by Miss Patricia Bartlett in Auckland was disrupted by young demonstrators opposing her views. The event took place at the Auckland branch of the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards, where Bartlett was discussing the Indecent Publications Tribunal. Mid-speech, the atmosphere shifted dramatically as a group of protestors, some adorned with fake blood and carrying wooden rifles, stormed the hall. They shouted slogans such as "Blood" and "War is the ultimate obscenity," while another group unfurled a banner proclaiming "Gay Liberation." As the protestors chanted, Bartlett left the stage temporarily. This prompted a reaction from some audience members, primarily middle-aged individuals, who confronted the demonstrators with their handbags and umbrellas, pushing them back toward the exit. Once the situation settled, Bartlett resumed her speech, focusing on the issue of obscenity in published materials and the portrayal of women in media. She criticized the prevalence of allegedly obscene books available to booksellers and noted that reputable newspapers often featured sexually explicit advertisements. Bartlett expressed concerns over the portrayal of women, suggesting that the media contributed significantly to the devaluation of women as mere sexual objects. She also conveyed empathy for the youth, indicating that they were merely reflecting the confusing and morally ambiguous standards set by adults around them. In her view, the responsibility for society's moral decline did not rest solely on the younger generation, but rather stemmed from the adults who perpetuated these double standards.
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