Each and every time I begin to discuss the issue of gangs in Aotearoa New Zealand I start with the murder of Jordan Robert Herewini, for one reason and one reason only – on the 27th January 2009 - a member of the gang known as the mongrel mob murdered Jordan in a most brutal and horrific act of violence.
This horrific act of violence stole Jordan’s life and ripped apart his whakapapa. This blog then is not only a discussion space for challenging this country to do something about gangs, it is also a tribute to Jordan Robert Herewini – a sixteen year old boy stolen from his family, his friends, and his future.
Until Jordan’s death I have never had much contact or knowledge about gang’s. I have watched news items, and I have talked with women from gang’s whilst working in the women’s prison in Christchurch. Jordan’s death has brought the gangs closer than I have ever wished to be.
Two weeks ago I sat in a Rotorua court room surrounded by mongrel mob members who showed little remorse for their actions. Instead they seemed to be at home, happy in catching up with each other. Each and every one of them ignored the posted signs on the courtroom door asking that gang regalia be taken off. Instead they turned their patches inside out, barked out their sieg heil’s to each other and openly signaled each other with their particular hand signals. Whilst the police asked them to remove their scarves and hats little was done about their other acts, acts that I suggest where in contempt of the court and of Jordan’s family and friends.
Whilst I realize that I and others cannot rid Aotearoa New Zealand of gangs I do believe that something has to change – at the least I would like to see the gangs made to conform whilst attending court, especially in such cases as murder, at the most gangs cannot continue to kill our children, prospect for new recruits or continue to take over communities.
This site then is a place for discussion, a place where people can share their personal stories in relation to their experiences in and around gangs. This is not a space for anti- Maori sentiment, nor is this a space for expressing rightwing hatred. This is a place where Maori, Pakeha and others can share and learn from each other and call on local councils and our government to listen to us.
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I must admit that I feel the fear that stops people from taking up issues like this. While I have never been a direct victim or even come to the attention of gang members, I've known enough to know that that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI applaud your concept and I hope it goes well.
Good on you Kyro. It's great to see important issues being talked about. Kia kaha. I can't see why your blog would have been stopped. It should not have been.
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