Heart of the Protest captures the stories behind the historic convoy protest of February 2022 and the Parliament occupation that followed.

1200 already SOLD by PUBLISHER - LIMITED EDITION

Written By Siân Clement & Gaylene Barnes

Format: 240 x 170 mm, portrait, 424 pages, 79 full colour photos, paperback

Genre: Social History; Politics; Protest; Documentary filmmaking

• The book depicts many of the characters who appear in the NZ documentary River of Freedom (2023), providing accounts on how the vaccination mandates and other Covid-19 restrictions affected their lives as they reflect on democracy and freedom.
• The book looks at how the occupation camp grew, and the response from government, media and police.
• This book offers deeper insight into the people who crowdfunded, created and independently released the documentary River of Freedom that reached #1 at the NZ box office.
• It is researched with references, contents, subtitles, endnotes and an index of names.

REVIEW: "Regardless of where one stood on Covid policy, vaccines, or mandates, Heart of the Protest offers a valuable insight into the hearts and minds of one of the most maligned groups of New Zealanders in early 2022. It strips away layers of propaganda and assumption, revealing the humanity, love, unity, and diversity within a movement of people who might never otherwise have come together .... what Heart of the Protest does is restore humanity to the hundreds of thousands who felt systematically dehumanised by government, media, and, sadly, sometimes even friends and family. It reminds us that every person present at that protest had a story to tell—each one different, yet bound by a common thread: the freedom to choose." Maree Buske, RCR

SIÂN CLEMENT — Siân has worked as a film publicist in London, Sydney and Wellington, interviewing cast and filmmakers for press kits.

GAYLENE BARNES — Canterbury-based artist and filmmaker, Gaylene has spent decades directing, editing and producing films