Buttocks Bared in Peaceful Protest at Russian Embassy Results in Trespass Order

14 March 2022

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party co- Leader Michael Appleby was trespassed by the New Zealand Police on Saturday 12 th March 2022 against going on to the Russian Embassy grounds.

On Thursday 10 th March at 6.30pm, Michael Appleby decided to make a protest stand for the second time against the war in Ukraine. He drove up to the Wellington Russian Embassy gates, got out of the car and after shouting at the security cameras for Russia to get out of Ukraine, turned around, dropped his trousers and pointed his buttocks to the cameras in peaceful protest.

These actions resulted in a complaint from the Russian Embassy to the police who tracked Mr Appleby down and served him with a Trespass Order for 2 years. The police returned to see Mr Appleby again on Sunday 13th March to speak about the inappropriateness of his behaviour. To which Mr Appleby replied that the baring of buttocks, known in Maori as pukana nono/whaka pohane, as a way of expressing disgust and contempt and he did it to express his disgust and contempt of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Michael says he sees the trespass order as a Badge of Honour and what he has done, is nothing, compared to the terrible damage and suffering that is being done in Ukraine by Russia.

Mr Appleby has been a law lecturer and Human Rights lawyer for over 50 years. The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party is the premier peaceful party opposing the prohibition war on cannabis for over 26 years, a community who supports peaceful resolutions.

The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party supports expelling the Russian Ambassador from New Zealand to send a stronger disapproval signal to Russia and at the same time we think New Zealand should take more refugees and make it easier to access visas. 

Michael Appleby is the only political party leader in Aotearoa /New Zealand to have registered a personal protest, at the Russian Embassy. The 75 year old Wellingtonian, encourages others to make their protest against the murder and mayhem by Russia in Ukraine by following his example of peaceful protest at the Russian Embassy in Messines Road Karori, Wellington.

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For more information, please contact:

Co-Leader Michael Appleby

Ph (+64) 027 440 3363

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party