TPP protest reports

Written By: - Date published: 4:05 pm, March 7th, 2015 - 33 comments
Categories: activism, Globalisation, us politics - Tags: , , , ,

For any accounts from the TPP protest marches today.

DUNEDIN

An excellent turnout in Dunedin, more than 1000 people in a lively march down George St, with speeches, music and poetry in the Octagon. MPs Metiria Turei and Clare Curran addressed the crowd, along with many other speakers.

dunedin-tppa-protest

33 comments on “TPP protest reports ”

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  1. fisiani 1
    7 March 2015 at 4:37 pm

    Pathetic turnout in Wellington. No weather excuse but just apathy I presume. This is the big issue of the time and I expected at least 10,000.

  2. Rosie 2
    7 March 2015 at 5:16 pm

    I’m nicking this comment from the Nudge nudge Northland post. It was in response to Skinny’s mention of the presence of NZ First at the Rally:

    “Fresh back from the TPP rally in Wellington and I’ve gotta say the prize for the surprise rowdy round of applause and cheering for a speaker went to the NZ First MP, Fletcher Tabuteau. (He spoke well, on the level and with a fire in the belly)

    He said NZ First have lodged a a new bill, the “Fighting Foreign Corporate Control” bill. This will address the crux of the problem with the TPP, the investor state disputes settlement process. Bit more about it here:

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1503/S00052/nz-first-pulls-reins-on-tppa-trojan-horse-nightmare.htm

    This is fantastic and could provide a further boost to their campaign in Northland.”

  3. Colonial Rawshark 3
    7 March 2015 at 5:42 pm

    Good turn out in Dunedin despite variable weather conditions. Friends of mine estimated around 1800 people participated at the peak which surpassed the organisers’ goal.

    • Corokia 3.1
      7 March 2015 at 6:25 pm

      A good mix of ages in the Dunedin crowd, which the ODT put at 1500. On a per-capita basis awesome turnout (also considering the relay for life was on at the same time)
      Metiria and others spoke well. Clare Curran had important things to say, but delivered them as a mini lecture, she needs to work on how to keep the crowd engaged IMHO. The music was great.

  4. Jan Rivers 4
    7 March 2015 at 6:44 pm

    IN Wellington first term Green councillor Sarah Free who has led the work to get an anti-TPPA motion through the council listed the councils who have an anti-TPPA position. This isn’t about free trade in general but specifically focused on the secrecy, the lack of democracy, the risks to sovereignty and local businesses through the investor stated disputes tribunals process. Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin Christchurch and others are on the list. So at least 2/3 of the country has democratically elected local representatives who have come out against aspects of the TPPA using the councils own democratic processes.

    It’s an impressive perspective on the fight against the TPPA and congratulations to the people around the country who have worked hard to make this happen.

  5. saveNZ 5
    7 March 2015 at 7:28 pm

    Good turn out in Auckland. Lot’s of people and good atmosphere.

    • Tautoko Mangō Mata 5.1
      7 March 2015 at 7:49 pm

      Yes, there was a good crowd, lots of people on the footpaths watching and photographing, and some great banners. My favourite was
      “The KEY thing in life is sincerity”
      photo of JK
      “Once you can fake that
      – you’ve got it made!”

      I was approached by a woman from USA who asked about the TPPA and was concerned that the protest might be anti-American. I pointed out that many people in USA oppose the TPPA for very similar reasons to Kiwis and that it is the corporates who are pushing this. Also it is the USA that has insisted on keeping the text secret.

      On http://www.stopfasttrack.com/
      there are lists of largely US groups which oppose the Fast Track. The Anonymous group puts the reason for opposition very well.

      “We oppose Fast Track because corporations are using their political contributions to gain influence over trade negotiations, whereas the public has no voice.

      It is entirely undemocratic for a government to negotiate and pass laws in secret. The public has a right to be made aware, in advance, of how the TPP will affect them. Our demand is transparency. Tweeting from @YourAnonNews.”

      • Molly 5.1.1
        8 March 2015 at 9:43 am

        Second the great atmosphere in Auckland, savenz. With a few smiles and thumbs up from those watching.

        A Labour voter I spoke to expressed disappointment with the lack of an official Labour presence. If there was one, I couldn’t see it. Green Party and Mana were definitely there and flying their flags.

        • saveNZ 5.1.1.1
          8 March 2015 at 7:00 pm

          @ Molly

          Yep I agree. That is where Labour is going wrong. They need to dedicate to the best interests in NZ. Selling us out in secret deals like TPPA, surveillance, war on Iraq etc.
          These policies are so unpopular they are allowing National in, because Labour are just as bad.

          Labour need to be upfront on their polices on these issues. Do Labour support secret TPPA deals that allow foreign governments to sue the government? Will future NZ have to consult 1000’s of pages of documents to sell an apple or wool and then be risked of being sued by multinationals? Even our own negotiator says nothing in it for NZ.

          Like the word ‘terrorism’ the word ‘trade deal’ seems to mean National and Labour politicians go hysterical and just do anything a foreign power says when they mention those words.

          You are actually more respected as a country if you have integrity and stand up for the values you believe in.

  7. Rodel 7
    7 March 2015 at 9:09 pm

    Good to see Dyson and Woods at the Christchurch protest.

  8. saveNZ 8
    7 March 2015 at 9:35 pm

    As recently as February this year, New Zealand’s own chief negotiator Mark Sinclair conceded to US officials there was little in a TPP Agreement for New Zealand. SINCE THERE IS NO BENEFIT – WHY IS JOHN KEY FORCING US, INTO SELLING OUR COUNTRIES RIGHTS IN SECRET?

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1012/S00212/wikileaks-exposes-government-duplicity-on-tpp.htm

    • weka 8.1
      8 March 2015 at 1:00 am

      It’s part of his pension plan deal.

      • emergency mike 8.1.1
        8 March 2015 at 4:04 am

        Further evidence that this government is not working for New Zealand. It appears to be more about certain people belonging to certain clubs.

  9. Clemgeopin 9
    8 March 2015 at 3:19 pm

    I happened to be in Palmerston North yesterday and attended the march which was pretty well attended I think. At least not less than 500 in my guess.

    There were lots of people with videos and cameras and two people who took my picture with my nice placard told me they would be putting the photos on line and one said it would be on face book. I wonder if any one of you knows where I can find the photos from Palmerston North to see if I am there !

    Thanks in advance for your help.

    P.S :
    There was a lovely band which played there with great music. The female singer was very talented and very pleasant to listen to. Well done, singer, who ever you are. Great job!

    The male singer was good too with quite clever political songs.

  10. greywarshark 10
    8 March 2015 at 5:32 pm

    I went on the Christchurch march along Riccarton Road. It was lightly raining at first but not enough to put out the Wizard’s firework which was part of his spell. He talked till the keen crowd called out Now Now for the spell. First speaker was Marama Fox who spoke well and with verve. The meeting was well attended with people disregarding the rain and organisers advising how to contribute to a well-organised march with much chanting and the invaluable drum giving the rhythm. Plenty of leaflets. I am going to do a letter box drop with some left over tonight. One onlooker said that an earlier march there had been 1000-1700 and felt that attendance was the same.

    Lots of young adults there, and older responsible adults worried about the results of the secret negotiations. There were some families with children togged up against the rain. Which didn’t last long and the later cloudy conditions were warm and better than being fried in the sun.

    I offered an explanatory sheet to three black t-shirt clad right-wing group something Kingdom but they refused it. But most people were interested. A woman from Brit is here seeing her family and after seeing Cameron’s mob in action there had come to support the NZ protest. Much personal effort had gone into the numerous placards with critical remarks about TPPA. The chants that were simple were the lasting ones. What do we want – democracy – when…Now. And one about the text. And TPPA Go away, go away. The march ended at Hagley Park and there were good speakers lined up John Minto, Johanssen but I had to be elsewhere.

  11. greywarshark 11
    8 March 2015 at 8:34 pm

    Note – have remembered that the black t-shirts, though partly covered, were I bet 99%,
    with Aryan Kingdom on them. Three white males who looked anomic types, perhaps alcoholics.

  12. Old Mickey 12
    9 March 2015 at 1:15 pm

    And in breaking news, TPP plans abandoned due to weight of reason from NZ protesters…….BWwaaaahhhhhhhhhhh Bwwwwwaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh
    In your dreams…
    Seriously, have seen nothing of substance, just rhetoric from Kelsey and gween caveman agenda…..

    • Tautoko Mangō Mata 12.1
      9 March 2015 at 1:28 pm

      Speaking of lack of substance, Old Mickey, you don’t seem to have given any reasons why you think that signing the TPPA would be of benefit to NZ.
      Please enlighten us.