Cops in clear over war dance attack

Friday, 3 February 2012

The New Zealand rugby team are famous for performing a haka before their matches

The New Zealand rugby team are famous for performing a haka before their matches

Police in the US state of Utah will not face punishment for using pepper spray and batons on a group of Polynesian spectators performing the Haka war dance at a high school football game.

Uintah County Attorney Mark Thomas said it was a misunderstanding due to cultural differences and no criminal charges were warranted.

Officers used pepper spray on about a dozen Polynesian men and boys who formed the traditional dance in October after their home town favourite lost a football game against Roosevelt High School, east of Salt Lake City.

Mr Thomas opened an investigation in December at the request of the Utah chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union after an internal police investigation found the officers' actions were justified.

Also in this section

NiteLife: Pubs, clubs and parties

Had a big night out? Click here to send your pics

In Pictures: North West 200

North West 200

Tiffany named Miss Northern Ireland

Tiffany Brien

Belfast Marathon - full Results & Pics

Belfast City Marathon

Old School Pics: Alex Higgins

Old School

To launch gallery click image or select school below

Methodist College, Campbell College, Grosvenor,
Bangor Grammar, Dunlambert, St Augustine's,
St Dominic's, Royal Academy, Ballymena Academy

The Troubles: Northern Ireland's First Minister and Deputy First Minister

Gallery: Awesome images of Titanic

Gallery: Awesome images of Titanic

Teletoons by Stevie Lee

Teletoons by Stevie Lee

Follow us on Twitter

Out & About: The Garrick

Out & About: The Garrick

Columnist Comments

robert_fisk

Must we stand idly by while world leaders spout this codswallop?

Funny how the news agenda gets tired. Like the quotes. Only a couple of months ago, we were all bracing for Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear installations. And for serious pressure on Bashar al-Assad to end his "barbaric campaign".

jane_graham

Don't let sisters stop you looking for love, Cheryl

What's wrong with wanting a man? I ask because lately I've lost count of the miserable, lonely female celebrities being told by other women that they should stay single.
readers_editor

Seeing is believing when it comes to the justice system

A Bill in the Queen’s Speech will, hopefully, speed up the process of letting some more sunlight into Northern Ireland’s rather musty justice system.

robert_mcneill

So that's why their pupils were glazed in Play School

Odd period, the 1970s. I've tended to deride them as grim, which they certainly were, but I appreciate now the music and, er, that's about it. They weren't particularly happy years in Northern Ireland.
eamon_mccann

Tragedy is opportunity for conflict resolution envoys

The Good Friday Agreement is a cure for which there is no known illness. Nowhere in its 11,000 words does it identify the problem which it purports to solve.
Belfast Telegraph Quizzes

Exams

Just Born: Readers' Baby Pictures

Just Born: Readers' Baby Pictures

To send Us Your Baby snaps just Click here

Just Wed: Readers' Wedding Pictures

Just Born: Readers' Wedding Pictures

To send Us Your Wedding snaps just Click here

 

Latest Comments

Belfast Telegraph Home Delivery