Police in New Zealand blast Barry Manilow music to disperse anti-vaccine protesters
The tactic has not worked, as protesters continue to converge on New Zealand's capital.
www.cbsnews.com
New Zealand hopes Barry Manilow, James Blunt and the Macarena can disperse protesters
Anti-government protesters are refusing to budge from their encampment in Wellington. One lawmaker is blasting music and COVID-19 vaccine announcements, a tactic that's drawn mixed reviews.
www.npr.org
Authorities in Wellington, New Zealand, are getting creative in their efforts to disperse the crowd of anti-government protesters who have refused to budge for nearly a week.
After trying direct appeals and deploying sprinklers, they're turning to the hit songs of Barry Manilow, James Blunt and others.
Trevor Mallard initiated "a battle of the music speakers" when he started playing a 15-minute loop of Barry Manilow music (including "Mandy"), "Macarena" by Los del Río and COVID-19 vaccine advertisements through the speakers inside Parliament buildings. News outlet Stuff reports the tunes were picked from a playlist of the world's 25 most hated songs.
English musician James Blunt offered up his own catalog in a tweet, sharing a BBC story about the Manilow music and addressing New Zealand Police: "Give me a shout if this doesn't work." Mallard took him up on the offer.