Wanna be in my gang?

Wanna be in my gang?

Anyone can belong – just be a kiwi – the idea of belonging to a gang or tribe of kiwis is interpreted in twenty different languages on the front – we are all Ngati Aotearoa.

It was inspired by an article by Matt Suddain in Sunday magazine a couple of years ago and it got me thinking…about patches, clothing, belonging and our right for expression.

MICHAEL LAWS

There seems to be ongoing confusion over patches. The ban on patches refers specifically to gang membership insignia. It does not in any way refer to eye patches. If you have a specific medical condition such as cataracts or weepiness and you need to wear an eye patch, then you will not be arrested. (NOTE: You can’t just change your gang patch to an eye patch. We’ve thought of that.) Also Nicorette patches, they’re fine, if you’re trying to give up your “ciggies” then we don’t want to make life more difficult. Gangs are edgy enough. There’s rumours of a Black Power brand stop-smoking patch that releases a small amount of P directly into your bloodstream. UNNACEPTABLE.

Also, to those who emailed, no, we can’t get a ban through for gang dogs, even if the dog is called Patches. Seems to be a lot of confusion over the patches ban in general, so let me just say one more time: My council and I will not tolerate a group of men meeting on a regular basis to carry out activities that affect the freedom of people to live their lives how they want.

Thanks Matt for permission to reproduce

I’d love to see people in Whanganui arrested for wearing one of these jackets.