An activist who doused controversial British anti-transgender rights campaigner Posie Parker with tomato juice during a raucous speaking event and counter-protest in Auckland has admitted two common assault charges.
Eli Rubashkyn, 35, whose legal name is Eliana Golberstein, faced two charges of assault after the incident on March 25 last year at the Albert Park band rotunda.
She pleaded guilty to the charges via her lawyer James Olsen during a brief appearance via audio-visual link before Judge Claire Ryan at the Auckland District Court on Friday.
Golberstein, who is transgender, arrived at Albert Park about 11am.
Parker entered a band rotunda to address the crowd and was greeted with an embrace by Sturt.
Golberstein was also in the rotunda, carrying a one-litre bottle of Keri Premium tomato juice, the summary of facts says.
“Ms Golberstein approached Ms Keen and Ms Sturt and poured the tomato juice over them both, covering their hair and clothing.
“Ms Golberstein’s intentions were to prevent Ms Keen from speaking by covering Ms Keen with the tomato juice.”
In October last year, Judge Ryan rejected Olsen’s application for the charges to be dismissed.
“I do not accept that protest and counter-protest should be expected to end in violence,” the judge said.
“People in this diverse and tolerant society when they go to protests should expect that they can protest peacefully.”
Source: Posie Parker assault case: Tomato juice protester Eliana Golberstein pleads guilty – NZ Herald