Police dispel rumours after armed officers spotted near Black Lives Matter protest

June 1, 2020
Black Lives Matter protestors gather in Aotea Square, Auckland.

New Zealand police have dispelled rumours that a group of armed officers spotted walking through Auckland's CBD were heading to the Black Lives Matter protest in Aotea Square. 

A video surfacing on social media shows at least eight armed police officers walking up Anzac Avenue as the Black Lives Matter protest got underway in Aotea Square. 

Thousands of Aucklanders turned out in solidarity with the protests spreading through the United States this week, sparked by the death of George Floyd. 

Kiwis in our biggest city joined the thousands around the world showing solidarity after the death of George Floyd.

"Police are aware of commentary on social media claiming the police in attendance were on their way to a planned march in Auckland city. These claims were not accurate," they said in a statement. 

Police say they were called to reports of shots fired at an apartment building on Anzac Avenue around 1:15 this afternooon. 

Officers at the building found that a resident had been throwing items around his apartment, causing a significant amount of noise and damage. 

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