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Political Calendar: Week of March 12, 2023

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Political Calendar: Week of February 5, 2023

Send notices of your events to [email protected]. Editor’s Note: Due to the covid-19 coronavirus pandemic and CDC recommendations for social distancing, many events are still being held virtually online. We are doing our best to update the calendar, but you should check with event organizers prior to attending any event to confirm the status. 

Political Calendar for the Week of March 12, 2023:

Sunday, March 12: Daylight Savings Time begins. Check your TV schedule.

Sunday, March 12: Selection Sunday for NCAA Basketball Tournaments.

Democrats of Greater Tucson logoMonday, March 13, Noon: Democrats of Greater Tucson ONLINE MEETING March 13:  Featured speaker is Tucson City Council Member Nikki Lee. Register in advance. Meanwhile, you can also watch more than 130 Videos of Candidates and Speakers at  of Greater Tucson.

Monday, March 13, 5:30 p.m.:  Legislative District 19 meeting. Meet the second Monday of each month. For more information please contact Chair Matthew Boyd at [email protected].

Monday, March 13, 6:30 p.m.: Democrats of Oro Valley meeting. Meet the second Monday of each month. For more information see our Facebook page or demsov.org.

Monday, March 13, 7:00 p.m.: Democrats of the Highlands at Dove Mountain meeting, in the Dove Mountain Clubhouse Catalina Room II, 4949 W. Heritage Club Blvd., Marana. For more information see our Facebook page.

Tuesday, March 14, Noon: Democrats of Rim Country meeting, at Tiny’s Family Restaurant, 600 Arizona Hwy. 260, Payson, AZ. Meet the second Tuesday of each month. For more information please email us at [email protected].

Tuesday, March 14, 3:30 p.m.: Saddlebrooke Democrats meeting, at SaddleBrooke Activities Center, 64518 E. Galveston Lane (Saddlebrooke). Meet the second Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Steve Groth at (520) 385-6686 or check our web site. SaddleBrookeDemocrats.org.

Tuesday, March 14, 5:00 p.m.: Democrats of the Picture Rocks meeting, via zoom. Meet the second Tuesday of each month. Contact us by email at [email protected] for more information.

Tuesday, March 14, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 23 meeting. Meet the second Tuesday of each month. To access the Zoom link for these virtual meetings, please join our email list. Join us for our monthy happy hour on the last Friday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Email contact form.

Wednesday, March 15 – Sunday, March 19: Pinal County Fair.

Wednesday, March 15, 4:00 p.m.: Drinking Democratically Happy Hour with DGT, at Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon & BBQ, 1801 N Stone Ave, Tucson. Join us for the camaraderie with Democrats of Greater Tucson. It’s a wonderful opportunity to talk with and enjoy the company of fellow Democrats. Invite your friends! We have space reserved in the Bourbon Lounge inside. Their Social Hour menu includes drinks and food specials. You can view the menu at their website: Brother John’s menu. Please register for free tickets through Eventbrite (stay tuned for link) so that we can give Brother John’s an estimate of expected attendance, so they can staff appropriately.

Wednesday, March 15, 6:00 p.m.: Graham County Democratic Party meeting. Meet the third Wednesday of each month. Meet via Zoom. For more information. please visit our web page, or visit our Facebook Page.

Wednesday, March 15, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 17 meeting. Meet the third Wednesday of each month. For more information please contact Larry Waggoner, Chair at [email protected].

Wednesday, March 15, 6:30 p.m.: Copa City Democrats meeting, location varies. For more information please contact Constance Jackson at [email protected].

Thursday, March 16: First Round games of NCAA men’s basketball tournament, March Madness begins.

Thursday, March 16, 10:00 a.m.: Democrats of the Red Rocks Breakfast on Zoom. Free.  Register in Advance. Meet the third Thursday of each month. Visit our web page.

Thursday, March 16, 6:30 p.m.: Yavapai County Democratic Party meeting, details TBA.

Friday, March 17: St. Patrick’s Day.

Friday, March 17, 6:00 p.m.: Gila County Democratic Party general meeting, at the Gila Dems Office, 110 E. Bonita Street, Payson, AZ. Meet the third Friday of each month. For more information please visit our web page, or Facebook Page, email us at [email protected], or call our office 928-363-1808.

Saturday, March 18, 10:00 a.m.: Pima County Democratic Party African-American Caucus meeting, at Grace Temple Baptist Church, 1020 E. 31st Street, Tucson. Meet the third Saturday of each month. The caucus is not exclusively for African-Americans, all are welcome to join. For more information please contact Connie DeLarge at [email protected]or (520) 241-8408.

Saturday, March 18, 1:00 p.m.: San Tan Valley Democrats meeting, meet virtually. Meet the third Saturday of each month. Please email group for details: [email protected], or phone: 480-630-9092.

Saturday, March 18, 1:30 p.m.: Copa City Democrats meeting. Meetings are every third Saturday of the month. Receive the link through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2963579027298825, or email Tony at [email protected].

Special Announcements:

Green Valley Democrats Current Events Discussion Group

Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m.:  Green Valley Democrats fka Democratic Club of the Santa Rita Area meets on Zoom at 10:00 – 11:30. To join the Discussion Group please send your name to  [email protected]. Join us at the weekly meeting of the Democratic Headquarters Current Events Discussion Group. We’ll talk about some of the major events of the previous week, including but not limited to political topics, and try and go behind the news for a deeper understanding. For more information, please contact Jean Vickers [email protected].

Drinking Liberally

Third Wednesday of each month, 6:00 p.m.: Drinking Liberally at The Shanty, 401 E. 9th Street, Tucson. We need to know by the morning of each meeting approximately how many folks will attend. Please RSVP to [email protected]. Informal but thoughtful conversation. As a reminder, The Shanty does not serve food (yes, there is popcorn), so please feel free to bring your own or order in, all allowed at The Shanty. There is no obligation to order anything–but as a thank you to our host, I hope everyone will order at least one drink(alcoholic or otherwise).

LD 18 St. Patrick’s Day Party, Pot Luck and Fundraiser

Political Calendar Week of March 12 2023Sunday, March 19, Noon: LD 18 St. Patrick’s Day Party, Pot Luck and Fundraiser. Party location near Oracle and Orange Grove will be disclosed following ticket purchase. Sales will open to all Democrats in one week. Seating is limited to the first 150 ticket buyers. Tickets: $25, purchase secure on ActBlue. All proceeds go to LD18 Democrats.

Tuesday, March 21, 10:30 a.m.: Democratic Women of Southeastern Arizona meeting, at Rothery Education Center on Fry Boulevard, Northern most building closest to Veterans Park, Sierra Vista. Meet the third Tuesday of each month. For more information email us at [email protected]​ Visit our web page. Democratic Women of Southeastern Arizona.

Wednesday, March 22, 11:30 a.m.: Democratic Women of the Prescott Area meeting, New Time and Place! The Resort at Prescott. Details TBA. Funds raised through this event support Democratic Women of the Prescott Area. Cost of Luncheon $25.  Cancellations for reservations must be received 24 hours in advance! Attendees will be billed if they cancel on the day of the event. Meet the fourth Wednesday of each month. Visit our web page.

Wednesday, March 22, 5:00 p.m.: Legislative District 19 meeting. Meet the fourth Wednesday of each month. For more information please contact Matthew Boyd, Chair at [email protected].

Thursday, March 23, 6:30 p.m.:  Casa Grande Democrats meeting. Meet via Zoom, so please call this number or send an email to this contact information to receive a registration link: (520) 251-8247 or [email protected]. Meet the fourth Thursday of each month. Please visit our web page.

Friday, March 24 – Sunday, March 26: Fourth Avenue Spring Street Fair in Tucson.

Saturday, March 25, 10:00 a.m.:  Northern Cochise County Democratic Club meeting at the Raphael-in-the-Valley Episcopal-Lutheran Church, 730 S. Hwy 80, Benson AZ.Meet the Fourth Saturday of each month. For more information please contact Kathy Suagee at [email protected]. Visit our web page Northern Cochise County Democrats.

Monday, March 27, 6:00 p.m.: Legislative District 20 meeting. Meet the fourth Monday of each month. For more information please visit our LD 20 website.

Tuesday, March 28, 4:30 p.m.: Democratic Club of the Saddlebrook Ranch meeting, at 59680 E. Robson Circle, Oracle. Meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. Pease contact Matt Nelson at [email protected], or (651) 414-1334.

Tuesday, March 28, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 18 meeting. Meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Larry Bodine, Chair at [email protected].

Thursday, March 30: Opening Day of 2023 MLB season.

Friday, March 31: Cesar Chavez Day.

Friday, March 31 – Sunday, April 2: 38th Annual Tucson Folk Festival. The festival features five stages with a range of ways to enjoy and watch the festival, including a free livestream broadcast! All five stages will feature over 125 live performances throughout the weekend including National Headliners, Local and Regional Acoustic Acts, Songwriting Competition winners, Family Show Entertainment, and Young Artist Showcases! The Tucson Folk Festival is a FREE.

Saturday, April 1 – Sunday, April 2: Phoenix Pride.

Saturday, April 1, 11:00 a.m.: Greater Huachuca Area Democrats meeting virtual on Zoom (soon at a designated restaurant in Serra Vista). Meet the first Saturday of each month. For more information, please email [email protected], or phone (520) 329-2253.

Saturday, April 1: NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four games, from NRG stadium, Houston, TX.

Monday, April 3: NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship game.

Tuesday, April 4 – Sunday, April 9: Yuma County Fair.

Wednesday, April 5: Passover begins.

Out Brunch sponsored by Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation

Saturday, April 8, 9:30 a.m.: Out Brunch sponsored by Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, at the HighWire Premier Bar & Restaurant, 14 S. Arizona Avenue, Tucson. Out Brunch returns as a brunch event this year! Join us as we celebrate 4 deserving awardees. Tickets are on sale now, but they are limited, so you’ve better hurry!
Tickets $60. Register in Advance.

Saturday, April 8, 9:30 a.m.: Tanque Verde Valley Democrats meeting. Usually meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information visit our web site. Tanque Verde Valley Democratic Club.

Saturday, April 8, 10:00 a.m.: Mule Mountain Democrats meeting, at the Community Y, 26 Howell Avenue, Old Bisbee. Meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information e-mail Sandy Hummingbird at [email protected], or visit our web page Mule Mountain Democrats.

Saturday, April 8, 10:00 a.m.: Coconino County Democratic Party meeting, at the Murdoch Community Center, 203 E. Brannen Avenue, Flagstaff. Also on Zoom. Meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information please call (928) 214-0393 or email [email protected], or viit our web page coconinodemocrats.org.

Saturday, April 8, 1:00 p.m.: Sun City Democrats of Oro Valley meeting, in the Navajo Room of the Activity Center, 1495 Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Sun City. Meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information lease contact Maureen Salz [email protected].

Saturday, April 8, 3:00 p.m.: Green Valley Democrats fka Democratic Club of the Santa Rita Area meeting.
Political Calendar Week of March 12 2023For more information please see our Facebook page or greenvalleydemocrats.org.

Sunday, April 9: Easter Sunday.

Monday, April 10, 5:30 p.m.:  Legislative District 19 meeting. Meet the second Monday of each month. For more information please contact Chair Matthew Boyd at [email protected].

Monday, April 10, 6:30 p.m.: Democrats of Oro Valley meeting. Meet the second Monday of each month. For more information see our Facebook page or demsov.org.

Monday, April 10, 7:00 p.m.: Democrats of the Highlands at Dove Mountain meeting, in the Dove Mountain Clubhouse Catalina Room II, 4949 W. Heritage Club Blvd., Marana. For more information see our Facebook page.

Tuesday, April 11, Noon: Democrats of Rim Country meeting, at Tiny’s Family Restaurant, 600 Arizona Hwy. 260, Payson, AZ. Meet the second Tuesday of each month. For more information please email us at [email protected].

Tuesday, April 11, 3:30 p.m.: Saddlebrooke Democrats meeting, at SaddleBrooke Activities Center, 64518 E. Galveston Lane (Saddlebrooke). Meet the second Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Steve Groth at (520) 385-6686 or check our web site. SaddleBrookeDemocrats.org.

Tuesday, April 11, 5:00 p.m.: Democrats of the Picture Rocks meeting, via zoom. Meet the second Tuesday of each month. Contact us by email at [email protected] for more information.

Tuesday, April 11, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 23 meeting. Meet the second Tuesday of each month. To access the Zoom link for these virtual meetings, please join our email list. Join us for our monthy happy hour on the last Friday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Email contact form.

Wednesday, April 12, 5:30 pm.: Legislative District 21 meeting. Meet the second Wednesday of  each month. For more information, please contact Jacqui Bauer, Chair at [email protected].

Wednesday, April 12, 6:30 p.m.: Marana Dems & Friends meeting. To request the Zoom meeting invitation send an email to: [email protected]. Meet the second Wednesday of each month. Visit our Facebook Page.

Thursday,April 13: The Yuma County Democrats meet the second Thursday of every month, currently on Zoom due to the Pandemic. Meetings are open to the public. For information on how to attend sign up for our newsletter or email [email protected].

Thursday, April 13, 5:30 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party Nucleus Club meeting, at the DoubleTree – Reid Park Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson. Meet the second Thursday of each month. Non-members will be asked to make a contribution of $20 at the door or in advance. For more information, contact Nucleus Club at Pima County Democratic Headquarters (520) 326-3716.

Thursday, April 13, 5:30 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party Disability Caucus meeting, at Direct Center, 1001 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson. Monthly meeting of the Disability Caucus. Open to the public. For more information please contact Contact Carol Brown (520) 325-9874.

Saturday, April 15: MLB’s Jackie Robinson Day.

Sunday, April 16, 9:00 a.m.: Spring Cyclovia Tucson. This is s car-free, bike friendly event, with people also using tricycles, scooters, wheelchairs, strollers, wagons, skates, hiking boots, etc. to enjoy the pedestrian/bike dominated streets along a set route in Tucson. Info and activity booths along the route for Spring 2023 will be between the Lost Barrio on Park Avenue South of Broadway Blvd. and Himmel Park south of Speedway Blvd.

Pima County Democratic Party’s Desert Bloom Champagne Brunch Fundraiser

Sunday, April 16, 10:00 a.m.: Pima County Democratic Party’s Desert Bloom Champagne Brunch, at the Desert Diamond Casino, 7350 S. Nogales Hwy., Tucson. We have some fabulous speakers lined up – get your tickets today!

Tuesday, April 18: Tax Day.

Tuesday, April 18: Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Wednesday, April 19, 6:00 p.m.: Graham County Democratic Party meeting. Meet the third Wednesday of each month. Meet via Zoom. For more information. please visit our web page, or visit our Facebook Page.

Wednesday, April 19, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 17 meeting. Meet the third Wednesday of each month. For more information please contact Larry Waggoner, Chair at [email protected].

Wednesday, April 19, 6:30 p.m.: Copa City Democrats meeting, location varies. For more information please contact Constance Jackson at [email protected].

Wednesday, April 19 – Sunday, April, 23:Tucson International Mariachi Conference, at the Tucson Convention Center. The Tucson International Mariachi Conference Espectacular Concert is Saturday, April 22, 7:00 p.m. in the TCC Linda Rondstadt Music Hall. Purchase tickets through TCC or ticket master.

Thursday, April 20 – Sunday, April 30: Pima County Fair.

Thursday, April 20, 10:00 a.m.: Democrats of the Red Rocks Breakfast on Zoom. Free.  Register in Advance. Meet the third Thursday of each month. Visit our web page.

Thursday, April 20, 6:30 p.m.: Yavapai County Democratic Party meeting, details TBA.

Friday, April 21, 6:00 p.m.: Gila County Democratic Party general meeting, at the Gila Dems Office, 110 E. Bonita Street, Payson, AZ. Meet the third Friday of each month. For more information please visit our web page, or Facebook Page, email us at [email protected], or call our office 928-363-1808.

Saturday, April 22: Earth Day.

Saturday, April 22: Tucson Children’s Museum Earth Day. FREE Community Event.Come discover all the ways to help make your world a healthier, greener place to live. How to recycle and how composting works, the joys of gardening and how fun it is to enjoy nature. Or learn how to bring nature to your backyard with exhibits from local wildlife groups. There will be exhibitors and activities outside the Museum for all ages. Adults with children are welcome inside the courtyard and the Museum for more kid-centric activities.

Saturday, April 22, 10:00 a.m.: Pima County Democratic Party African-American Caucus meeting, at Grace Temple Baptist Church, 1020 E. 31st Street, Tucson. Meet the third Saturday of each month. The caucus is not exclusively for African-Americans, all are welcome to join. For more information please contact Connie DeLarge at [email protected]or (520) 241-8408.

Saturday, April 22, 1:00 p.m.: San Tan Valley Democrats meeting, meet virtually. Meet the third Saturday of each month. Please email group for details: [email protected], or phone: 480-630-9092.

Saturday, April 22, 1:30 p.m.: Copa City Democrats meeting. Meetings are every third Saturday of the month. Receive the link through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2963579027298825, or email Tony at [email protected].

Monday, April 24, 6:00 p.m.: Legislative District 20 meeting. Meet the fourth Monday of each month. For more information please visit our LD 20 website.

Tuesday, April 24, 4:30 p.m.: Democratic Club of the Saddlebrook Ranch meeting, at 59680 E. Robson Circle, Oracle. Meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. Pease contact Matt Nelson at [email protected], or (651) 414-1334.

Tuesday, April 25, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 18 meeting. Meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Larry Bodine, Chair at [email protected].

Sunday, April 28: International Workers’ Memorial Day.

Monday, May 1: International Workers’ Day.

Wednesday, May 3 – Sunday, May 7: Verde Valley Fair.

Friday, May 5: Cinco de Mayo.

Sunday May 14: Mother’s Day.

Saturday, May 20: Armed Forces Day.

Monday, May 29: Memorial Day.



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Lee Hsien Yang faces damages for defamation against two Singapore ministers over Ridout Road rentals

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Lee Hsien Yang faces damages for defamation against two Singapore ministers over Ridout Road rentals

High Court ruling: Lee Hsien Yang directed to compensate Ministers Shanmugam and Balakrishnan for defamatory remarks on Ridout Road state bungalows. (PHOTO: MCI/YouTube and ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images ) ((PHOTO: MCI/YouTube and ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images ))

SINGAPORE — The High Court in Singapore has directed Lee Hsien Yang to pay damages to ministers K. Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan for defamatory statements made in Facebook comments regarding their rental of black-and-white bungalows on Ridout Road.

The court issued a default judgment favouring the two ministers after Lee – the youngest son of Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and brother of current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong – failed to address the defamation lawsuits brought against him. Lee had, among other claims, insinuated that the ministers engaged in corrupt practices and received preferential treatment from the Singapore Land Authority for their bungalow rentals.

The exact amount of damages will be evaluated in a subsequent hearing.

Restricted from spreading defamatory claims against ministers

Not only did Justice Goh Yi Han grant the default judgment on 2 November, but he also imposed an injunction to prohibit Lee from further circulating false and defamatory allegations.

In a released written judgment on Monday (27 November), the judge highlighted “strong reasons” to believe that Lee might persist in making defamatory statements again, noting his refusal to remove the contentious Facebook post on 23 July, despite receiving a letter of demand from the ministers on 27 July.

Among other things, Lee stated in the post that “two ministers have leased state-owned mansions from the agency that one of them controls, felling trees and getting state-sponsored renovations.”

A report released by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau in June concluded that no wrongdoing or preferential treatment had occurred concerning the two ministers. However, Lee continued referencing this post and the ongoing lawsuits, drawing attention to his remarks under legal scrutiny.

Justice Goh emphasised that the ministers met the prerequisites for a default judgment against Lee. The suits, separately filed by Shanmugam, the Law and Home Affairs Minister, and Dr Balakrishnan, the Foreign Affairs Minister, were initiated in early August.

Lee Hsien Yang alleges in his post that two ministers leased state-owned mansions, 26 and 31 Ridout Road from an agency, one of which they control, involving tree felling and receiving state-sponsored renovations.Lee Hsien Yang alleges in his post that two ministers leased state-owned mansions, 26 and 31 Ridout Road from an agency, one of which they control, involving tree felling and receiving state-sponsored renovations.

Lee Hsien Yang alleges in his post that two ministers leased state-owned mansions, 26 and 31 Ridout Road from an agency, one of which they control, involving tree felling and receiving state-sponsored renovations.(SCREENSHOTS: Google Maps)

He failed to respond within 21 days

Lee and his wife, Lee Suet Fern, had left Singapore in July 2022, after declining to attend a police interview for potentially giving false evidence in judicial proceedings over the late Lee Kuan Yew’s will.

His absence from Singapore prompted the court to permit Shanmugam and Dr Balakrishnan to serve him legal documents via Facebook Messenger in mid-September. Despite no requirement for proof that Lee saw these documents, his subsequent social media post on 16 September confirmed his awareness of the served legal papers.

Although Lee had the opportunity to respond within 21 days, he chose not to do so. Additionally, the judge noted the novelty of the ministers’ request for an injunction during this legal process, highlighting updated court rules allowing such measures since April 2022.

Justice Goh clarified that despite the claimants’ application for an injunction, the court needed independent validation for its appropriateness, considering its potentially severe impact on the defendant. He reiterated being satisfied with the circumstances and granted the injunction, given the continued accessibility of the contentious Facebook post.

Lee acknowledges court order and removes allegations from Facebook

Following the court’s decision, Lee acknowledged the court order on 10 November and removed the statements in question from his Facebook page.

In the judgment, Justice Goh noted that there were substantial grounds to anticipate Lee’s repetition of the “defamatory allegations by continuing to draw attention to them and/or publish further defamatory allegations against the claimants.”

The judge mentioned that if Lee had contested the ministers’ claims, there could have been grounds for a legally enforceable case under defamation law.

According to Justice Goh, a reasonable reader would interpret Lee’s Facebook post as insinuating that the People’s Action Party’s trust had been squandered due to the ministers’ alleged corrupt conduct, from which they gained personally.

While Shanmugam and Dr Balakrishnan were not explicitly named, the post made it evident that it referred to them, and these posts remained accessible to the public, as noted by the judge.

Justice Goh pointed out that by choosing not to respond to the lawsuits, Lee prevented the court from considering any opposing evidence related to the claims.

Do you have a story tip? Email: [email protected].

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube.

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Tauranga judge orders Team Chopper Facebook pages taken down due to ‘threatening’ online communciations

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Tauranga judge orders Team Chopper Facebook pages taken down due to ‘threatening’ online communciations

Helen Fraser’s son Ryan Tarawhiti-Brown with Chopper, the dog at the centre of an attack on Tauranga vet Dr Liza Schneider.

The son of the woman whose Rottweiler dog attacked and seriously injured a Tauranga vet has been ordered to disable two Facebook pages that contained threats towards the vet and her business.

Ryan Tarawhiti-Brown (AKA Ryan Brown) ran and promoted a Facebook page called Team Chopper in support of his mother Helen Fraser’s legal battle to save her dog Chopper.

Chopper was euthanised following a court order handed down on August 21 by Judge David Cameron after he convicted Fraser of being the owner of a dog that attacked and seriously injured Holistic Vets co-owner Dr Liza Schneider.

The attack happened in the carpark of her Fraser St practice on October 14, 2022.

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Schneider was left with serious injuries after Chopper bit her arm, including a broken bone in her forearm, and deep tissue damage and nerve damage.

She required surgery and her arm took several months to heal.

Tauranga woman Helen Fraser, pictured here at her July trial, said that the case was "exceptional" and argued in favour of sparing Chopper's life. Photo / Ethan Griffiths
Tauranga woman Helen Fraser, pictured here at her July trial, said that the case was “exceptional” and argued in favour of sparing Chopper’s life. Photo / Ethan Griffiths

Following Fraser’s conviction, Schneider sought a takedown order after she told the court she and her practice had been the subject of constant online harassment and threats since October 2021.

Schneider said comments posted on the Team Chopper Facebook page included threats, harassment and derogatory and abusive comments.

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In an affidavit, Schneider said her Google account had also been bombarded with fake reviews which she alleged were incited by the Team Chopper page.

Court documents obtained by the Bay of Plenty Times confirm an interim judgment was made by Judge Lance Rowe on August 30 which ordered the page be taken down and any references to Schneider removed. She also asked for a written apology. This order was previously suppressed.

During a second court hearing on October 25, Tarawhiti-Brown’s lawyer Bev Edwards told Judge Cameron it was accepted her client had not complied with this order to take down the page.

Edwards said her client had instead changed the nature of the page to help promote the rights of cats and dogs, and no criticism or abuse of Schneider or Holistic Vets was made by her client in those posts.

Tarawhiti-Brown had filed an affidavit to similar effect, court documents show.

Schneider argued the change in tone had not prevented others from posting derogatory comments about her.

This included posts on September 23, which stated she should be “prosecuted for negligence”, “sucked” at her job and should lose her licence.

Edwards also submitted that Schneider was prepared to use social media to her own advantage when it suited, her and cited an online article published in June.

In Judge Cameron’s written judgement, dated November 13, Tarawhiti-Brown, who lives in Australia, was ordered to immediately disable or take down his two Facebook pages.

The judge ruled the digital communications on the Facebook pages had been “threatening” to Schneider and “amount to harassment of her”, and also caused her “ongoing psychological harm”.

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Judge Cameron also ordered Tarawhiti-Brown to refrain from making any digital communications about Schneider or identifying her or her business directly or indirectly, and not to encourage any other person to do so.

The judge said it was accepted by Schneider removal orders against Facebook/Meta were “fraught with difficulties”, including jurisdictional ones, and discontinued the takedown application against those organisations.

The judge did not order Tarawhiti-Brown to apologise to Schneider and lifted the suppression orders by consent of both parties, who had to pay their own legal costs.

Schneider and the NZ Veterinary Association, which has been supporting her, declined to comment on these court orders.

Tarawhiti-Brown was also approached for comment.

Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post who has been a journalist for 24 years. She mainly covers police, court and other justice stories, as well as general news. She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year.

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Facebook group helps creative director uncover mystery behind photo of father

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Facebook group helps creative director uncover mystery behind photo of father

A creative director who “didn’t really have any memories” of his father who he died when he was just two was able to “build a persona” of him thanks to an old photo and a local Facebook group.

Lee Williamson’s father, Ian, died at the age of 23 in a car crash and, without many ways of finding out more about him due to personal reasons, he uploaded one of the few photos of the pair together, from 1983, to a High Wycombe Facebook group in the hope someone could help.

“I wasn’t quite sure where it was taken, but I just knew it was from High Wycombe somewhere, so one of my friends – who lives in High Wycombe – said to leave it with a couple of his friends but they weren’t sure,” the 42-year-old, who now lives in Lanesborough, Co Longford, Ireland, told the PA news agency.

“So, I posted it in a Facebook group and lots of people started interacting with it.

“I had no idea that was going to happen.”

Liz Parry, 62, who used to babysit Mr Williamson, happened across the post and from there, a phone call was set up between the pair on Friday.

Ms Parry, who now lives in Iver, Buckinghamshire, and is retired, told PA that as soon as she saw the picture, she recognised both Mr Williamson and his father as she lived next door to them on Hylton Road, High Wycombe, for about two to three years.

“I used to help the family out by babysitting them and we’d spend time together at games evenings or would have drinks together,” she said.

She said Mr Williamson’s late father was always on the lookout for a “good deal to give the family a good home”.

She added when Mr Williamson was a baby, he was “lovely”.

“He was always happy and laughing and smiling and wanting to play,” she added.

“He was a really happy little baby.”

She said the conversation with him on Friday was a “lovely” way to catch up after so many years.

“That little baby that I used to look after is now in his 40s and has his own children,” she said.

“It’s nice to see how well he is doing now as well because I wondered what happened to the family after they left (the area) after Ian’s passing.”

Mr Williamson said: “The chat on the phone was nice.

“I found out he was a bit of a Del Boy character, he was always looking for a way to make a business and was only 23 when he died.”

“I didn’t really know that he was my father until I was 10 – when I stumbled upon a bunch of documents in the attic while playing with a Scalectrix car toy – and so I didn’t really have any memory of him to be able to build a persona of who my father used to be.

“I have two of my own kids now, so can talk to them about stories about their grandad – it just gives you a sense of closure.”

Mr Williamson said it was “nice” to see Facebook lead to something “positive”.

“Everyone who replied was very encouraging and it showed that High Wycombe is a very nice place to be and the people that lived there had fond memories.”

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