River of Freedom

The unseen groundswell against New Zealand's vaccine mandate
River of Freedom: Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, Jacinda Ardern’s government enforce mandatory vaccination on almost the entire New Zealand workforce. In early 2022, thousands of citizens from all walks of life rise in opposition and convoy to Wellington, occupying Parliament grounds in a 23-day protest that shocks the nation. Until now, the size and scale of the protest has largely escaped international media attention. River of Freedom shines a light on this under-reported groundswell of dissent, as the world reckons with the aftermath of the pandemic.

LONG SYNOPSIS
Fed up with Covid-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates, thousands of people convoy to Wellington from all around the country, demanding change and expecting democratic representation. A child’s hand drawn sign sums it up: “You have a right to say no!”
On the road to Parliament are people from all walks of life—teachers and students, caregivers and medical professionals, first responders; tradies, musicians and artists, commercial pilots; farmers, business owners, and government employees. All are suffering loss: employment, education, connections, reputation, wellbeing. Lost opportunities.
The convoy sparks hope across the nation. New Zealanders gather on the lawn of Parliament to express their grievances. Intent on change and expecting democratic representation, they chant “freedom!”
Without a government-issued ‘vaccine passport’ many are refused access to hotels, cafes and amenities. Meanwhile, they are welcomed by tangata whenua, and set up camp on the
front lawn of Parliament—together they create a ‘Freedom Village’.
An assault by police fails to remove the protestors; rather it shocks the nation and attracts thousands more. Tactics approved by the Speaker of the House during a cyclone fails to
suppress the peoples’ determination—“End the mandates!”
A High Court win is cause for celebration, however, under Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's leadership, the people are ignored; collectively, all 120 parliamentarians agree not to communicate with them.
After 23 days, the New Zealand Police ambush the protestors in a dawn raid, forcibly clearing everyone using methods never seen before in Aotearoa. Nevertheless, the peace,
love & kotahitanga (unity) shared by the protestors, as well as their supporters, will be forever remembered, as will the injustices of this time.
RIVER OF FREEDOM is made by professional filmmakers, present during the convoy & occupation, to document the heart of the protest—the largest protest in New Zealand’s recent history.