Maori Protest New Zealand Shoreline Plan

[Quetzal]

Maori Protest New Zealand Shoreline Plan

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - Thousands of Maori demonstrated outside parliament Wednesday to protest against government plans to nationalize New Zealand's shoreline - which indigenous tribes say belongs to them.

People, banners and Maori sovereignty flags engulfed the grounds in front of parliament as marchers demanded the Labor-led coalition government dump its plans to "confiscate" Maori land.

As marchers crammed the grounds, Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen and several government Maori lawmakers came out to greet the protesters in line with Maori tribal tradition.

Their presence sparked a fierce Maori haka war dance by 40 bare-chested warriors armed with clubs and spears.

more...

http://news.findlaw.com/ap_stories/i/1106/5-5-2004/20040505000006_13.html