District Commander, and our Prime Minister.
Friday, 28 October 2011, 10:00pm
Key points Only; Open letter: Occupy Christchurch (Edited by JS Veitch)
We would like to make it known to our community, our national
authorities, and our local authorities, that the occupation currently
residing in South Hagley Park, Christchurch, is a political statement.
We are exercising our continuing right as citizens of this democratic
country to peaceably assemble and protest the injustices facing our
society.
We are also exercising our right to employ an occupation of tents as a
political statement.
We would also like to make it clear that we are not a disorderly assembly.
We are conscious that we are potentially in violation of some local
by-laws regarding freedom camping in public spaces, but we want it to be
made very clear that our actions are not those of freedom campers.
We stand here in solidarity with all our brave friends who have been
denied these rights in countries that New Zealand considers Friends and
Allies. Over the past week we have watched as citizens in the cities of
Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Atlanta, Oakland, Denver, and Boston, were
forcefully evicted through violent means from their occupations.
Furthermore, we would like it to be known that if such events begin
happening here, we too are prepared to defend our rights through
techniques of non-violent resistance. We love our country and hope that
we will not be forced to such recourse.
Respectfully,
Occupy Christchurch
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This is something almost everyone has an opinion about. I do suggest
that over the weekend if you are near South Hagley Park, that you take a
walk for a short while and talk to these young people. They are very
sensible bunch on the whole, and they do face many serious issues that
my generation has been unable to resolve. So, it's up to them, and they
know it.
You might find me on South Hagley Park too. I'm going to be promoting
MMP. Please make yourself known.
The full text of this letter is available here:
http://occupychristchurch.org/press/
And both Word and Open Office versions of the letter are attached.