Utah prosecutors open probe into police officers who pepper-sprayed 'haka ...
18.05.12
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah prosecutors have opened an investigation into the use of pepper spray and batons by police officers on a group of spectators performing a traditional New Zealand war dance after a high school's losing football game.
Uintah County Attorney G. Mark Thomas said Wednesday he was opening the case at the request of the Utah chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
His independent review was first reported by the Deseret News of Salt Lake City .
An internal investigation by Roosevelt police found the actions were justified because the officers were unfamiliar with the haka war dance and believed a riot was imminent.
Officers used pepper spray on about a dozen Polynesian men and boys who formed the war dance in October after their hometown favorite lost an October match against a Roosevelt high school.
To cheer the Vernal team after a winless season, the spectators adopted a wide stance, folded their arms and chanted in unison. Police were unaware the crowd was performing a Maori war dance that has long been tradition in New Zealand rugby games. It has more recently spread to at least a dozen U.S. high school football teams, especially those with large numbers of Polynesians.
Source: The Republic
