Activist John Minto says Christchurch City Council's attempt to seek costs from protest leaders over the anti-mandate protest is "setting a match to democratic freedoms".
"I'm not aware of any council anywhere in the country charging anybody for traffic management over the last 50 years.
"The council has no role in moderating civil and political rights." He says the protest, led by Destiny Church, was irresponsible, but they were exercising their right.
"And even if we disagree with what they did, and how they did it, there's no way the council should be trying to charge them $50,000."
