Vandals wielding pink paint left their mark on three Auckland bank branches and a pair of Auckland police stations overnight, less than a week after a 'GAYTM' received a similar treatment.
Stations in Avondale and Ponsonby were paint-bombed, with ATMs in Avondale, Ponsonby and Mt Eden also targeted, police said.
A group called Queers Against Injustice claimed responsibility for last week's attack on ANZ's 'GAYTM' – a colourful ATM adorned with around 120,000 rhinestones and rainbow colouring – saying they were protesting 'pinkwashing'. In a statement posted online, the group said they wanted to draw attention to the "commercialisation" of the Pride Festival.
A note attached to last night's attacks described 'pinkwashing' as "a term used to describe how the LGBTQIA struggle is co-opted to whitewash over unethical behaviour" and accused ANZ of "strategically [using] gay-friendly marketing to increase profits by exploiting their workers' rights".
Police said they are investigating the paint-bombing and are disappointed with the group's actions.
"I'd certainly welcome the opportunity to discuss this group's issues with them, in person and with no paint tins around," says city western area commander Inspector Jacqui Whittaker.
"Police generally and I personally are proud of the fact we embrace diversity when it comes to those communities we police and the people we work with."
3 News
source: newshub archive
