The armed offenders squad and police trained their rifles on and arrested veteran protester Marx Jones, simply for doing his civic duty. The charges against Marx Jones must be dropped. Marx Jones - father, grandfather, builder and flour bomb hero from the Spring Bok Tour (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsOHSn6kYfc&index=10&list=PLPGZ_GHbXqCC2uJFFkxafp8Rlb7Rg8C6J) was mobbed by a violent throng of young people leaving a night club close to his house on Nicholas Street, off Hobson Street in Auckland CBD. After returning to his home, he was disturbed by the noise of an out of control crowd of young people. Unable to sleep he went outside and politely asked if they could keep the noise down. Living in the CBD, Marx is accustomed to the noise of the city night-life, and he accepts that people have the right to have a good time and that on occasion there will be a bit of noise. But the ongoing behaviour at closing time at the near by establishment was just over the top. Neighbours had been complaining about it for some time. 

When Marx approached the crowd he was mobbed and pushed back to his house, he was physically threatened and had to defend himself, he produced a level and an unloaded nail gun in an attempt to get the crowd to back off. He went inside his house for protection as the crowd chanted outside his door.

What transpired was nothing less than an outrage. The police, along with the armed offenders squad arrived and instead of trying to diffuse the situation, trained their guns on Marx and arrested him. He is now charged with wounding with intent to injure- a penalty which carries 7 years imprisonment.

Marx Jones was simply trying to resolve an ongoing community problem. The Police are punishing the wrong person. Marx is going to take up the issue with the police complaints authority. His neighbours, friends and the broader community are supporting him. The police must drop the charges and facilitate a solution that satisfies the inhabitants of the street as well as the night club owner.