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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 36, Number 10. 23rd May 1973

[Introduction]

Photo of Amanda Russell

The 'Theatre of Cruelty' Thrives in N.Z. — In The Magistrate's Court. Act III Scene IV in the Rama Drama

Another act in the continuing tragedy of white capitalist injustice took place in the Lower Hutt Magistrates Court on May 1. Amanda Russell of the Tenant's Protection Association was up for "assaulting" Peter Amarat Rama, son and agent of the famous rack renter Rama Madhav.

Assault meant the act of intentionally applying force to another, said the Magistrate Mr K.J. Patterson, and there was no doubt that this had been done. Mr Patterson was not interested in the context of the assault. It did not, for instance, occur to him that a slap of the same negligible force would have been quite fitting if Amanda had administered it at a party if Peter Annual was getting fresh. No, the slap had a political context: a man was protecting his property, from someone no better than a demonstrator.