jcrabappleParliament suspended as Maori reps perform Haka.
Fuck yeah!
dyedbird@jcrabapple it looks as if the white dude in the front row is pissing in his pants and looking around and hoping no one notices it! 
Anne Deschaine@dyedbird @jcrabapple It's interesting when you watch other videos, like from news, that show more context leading up. The Speaker looks thoroughly grumpy as he loses control of the room. But interestingly, that white dude you mention and the other white people on that side of the room (not on the other) stand when the Māori MP begins the haka. My impression is that they are in the parties supporting her (opposing the measure) and stand in respect.
Just my impression, though. I could be wrong!
@aehdeschaine @jcrabapple yeah full disclosure: my comment was totally whimsical and based on zero knowledge of New Zealand politics and the bill that caused this protest by the indigenous people. Chances are my perception is just that a perception...
@dyedbird @jcrabapple Oh, mine too! I know of the issue but have absolutely no knowledge of how NZ parliamentary procedure works. I just thought it was interesting to observe, even beyond how invigorating the haka is
two slightly distorted guitars@aehdeschaine @dyedbird You've seen it correctly - left-wing parties have seats on the left side, and the three nearest the Te Pati Māori members, standing at the front, are from the Green Party and in full support. (The man is Ricardo Menéndez March, who isn't always afforded white-passing privilege.)
The racist little maggot who introduced this rubbish bill is briefly visible on the right as the camera pans out at the end.
@rhamphorhynchus Thank you! I looked up the chart and tried to figure it out. I also really appreciated the person next to Menéndez March who kept trying to speak. I presume there was coordination before the vote, but the solidarity stands out as much as the haka itself, to me (but then I'm in the US).
I've watched some speeches, and the bill guy's was quite slimy. I do hope it's true that the other right-wing parties won't support it further. Cheering for clear, non-racist minds to prevail!