Occupy Otautahi Christchurch
General Assembly Consensus
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Kia ora koutou,
We stand in commemoration of the millions of workers sacrificed in the
1914-1918 imperialist war, and all workers so needlessly lost, at the
antipodean marking of ANZAC Day. We memorialise Fred Evans, the first
New Zealand worker killed in political action for a better world and
working conditions, struck down by a police baton at Waihi in November
1912. Equally, we remember Ernie Abbott and Christine Clark, and wish
the world to know their names too, so that New Zealand does not forget
them along with workers' struggle. We point out that Aotearoa-NZ led
the world by implementing - in the same week - the eight-hour workday
alongside the Treaty of Waitangi and preceding the first electoral votes
for women, in February 1840. By that under-respected heritage we proudly
stand, against all the dishonoured promise.
For May Day 2012, we urge workers worldwide to look to the traditions
and methods of direct democracy, workers' councils, syndicated economic
management and political revolution, and celebrate that the time for
ordinary working people to govern our own lives has finally arrived.
We join with workers worldwide in calling corrupt governance to account,
through the occupation of workplaces, public spaces and streets, with
general strike action to bring the rule of injustice down. The failing
mismanagement by the 1%, of all the world's resources and accumulated
wealth, is very clear for all to see. We no longer accept it or support
it in any way. We do not accept your wars or false borders, your racist,
sexist, ageist, homophobic, gender and disability oppression, your
corporate greed or the destructive competition to exist by which you
thrive. We defend freedom of thought, belief and expression that
respects all people’s identical human rights. Your reign and controls -
those of the monopoly capitalist class - are at an end.
We are the future - your future. We are your children and your
grandchildren, and the powers of wasteful capital are over. We refuse
them. We are environmentalists, socialists and the aware. We are
anarchist and communist, and we are neither - we are the sustainable
transition of society that no-one can avoid. We are the 99%, and we are
moving.
We hereby evict your wealthy elitism and abusive authority - your bad
attitude and naughty behaviour - in the name of justice and all that is
communally fair and right. A far better world is possible, and we, the
people, are building it. Rise up! Kia kaha! Welcome home!
Occupy.