TPPA Rally – Downtown Auckland, 1 pm TODAY

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1. Clemgeopin 1

   14 August 2015 at 2:10 pm

   I found these details on a link in the above post :
   ————–
   These details are subject to change and events may be added to this list, so make sure you check in on http://www.itsourfuture.org.nz for the latest updates ahead of TPPA Action Week. If you want to organise something in your area, please contact edwardcrmiller@gmail.com.

   Kaitaia

   15 August, gather at Memorial Park at 9.30am to create/share placards, then walk through market and main street.

   Hokianga

   15 August protest, 11am at Kohukohu Village Green.

   Whangarei

   15 August protest, 11am at the Tarewa Park.

   Auckland

   15 August protest, 1pm at Aotea Square to march down Queen Street, featuring speakers and music.

   Hamilton

   15 August protest, Meet @ 1pm outside Cock and Bull carpark on corner of Church and Maui.

   Colville

   15 August protest, 2pm outside the Colville Community Hall.

   Tauranga

   14th August – public meeting
   15 August protest at 10.30am, Red Square.

   Whakatane

   15 August protest at 11am, location TBC.

   Napier/Hastings

   15 August protest, 1pm at Memorial Square.

   Wanganui

   8 August protest, 1pm, march from Silver Ball in the market to Majestic Square.

   New Plymouth

   15 August protest, 1pm at Puke Ariki.

   Palmerston North

   14 August will be a concert in the library at 5pm, then documentary maker and investigative journalist Bryan Bruce will speak at 6pm on Poverty, Inequality & the TPPA.

   Many committed P North activists will also be heading to Wellington on 15 August.

   Featherston

   15 August Rally, 11am at TBC

   Wellington

   15 August – TPPA Walk Away! Protest action to stop the TPPA. Assemble at Midland Park at 1pm and march to Parliament for speakers and music. More details to come.

   Golden Bay

   14 August protest, 12pm at Golden Bay Village Green.

   Nelson

   15 August protest at 11:00am, top of Trafalgar St – 1903 Square.

   Christchurch

   14 August New Economics Seminar and Expo, 7pm at Horticultural Hall.

   15 August protest at 12:30pm. Location: South Hagley Park (corner Deans Ave and Riccarton Rd) marching down Riccarton Rd.

   Little River

   15 August rally, 12pm at Little River Craft Station.

   Timaru

   15 August protest, 11am at Bay Piazza.

   Dunedin

   15 August protest at 1pm, marching from the Dental School to the Octagon.

   Invercargill

   15 August protest, 12pm at Wachner Place.
   • mickysavage 1.1

     15 August 2015 at 9:25 am

     Cheers Clemgeopin.
     • Clemgeopin 1.1.1

       15 August 2015 at 10:34 am

       Thanks. My pleasure! Please change the title of post from ‘TOMORROW’ to ‘TODAY’
2. Clemgeopin 2

   14 August 2015 at 2:22 pm

   TPP protest in New Zealand could turn ‘confrontational’ US citizens told by USA !

   The United States is warning its citizens in Auckland that a TPP protest planned for Saturday could turn ugly, and they should stay away.

   In an email, the US Consulate General in Auckland urged any US citizens to avoid the march as “even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational.”

   “We remind citizens to always exercise caution when in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.”

   Up to 8000 protesters are expected to gather on Auckland’s Queen St, to march against the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free-trade agreement.

   The 12-nation agreement is in the final throes of negotiation, but has been controversial due to the level of secrecy surrounding it.
   ————-
   Green Party national intelligence and security spokesman Russel Norman said US consular staff needed to “relax”.

   “This is democracy in action and it’s not Ferguson. The police won’t be shooting people, it’s not scary.

   “They should just come along and they might learn something.”

   Norman said it was unlikely the warning had anything to do with bargaining positions on the TPP.
   —————–
   http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/71128096/tpp-protest-could-turn-confrontational-us-citizens-told:
   • Jenny Kirk 2.1

     14 August 2015 at 7:27 pm

     This is ludicrous ! just shows how paranoid American officials can be .
     • Clemgeopin 2.1.1

       14 August 2015 at 10:09 pm

       True, may be they have an inkling that a lot of local Americans opposed to the TPP provisions are actually planning to join the protest, for all we know!

       To me, if New Zealand signs this secret deal with all the expected hooks and controls, it will be the biggest mistake that our nation will ever do, when there are easier and safer options of bilateral treaties. May not be as big as the TPPA, but at least we will not be enslaved and lose our freedom and dignity in the bargain.

       The large corporates, working for their shareholders and their profits, already have a lot of power around the world. Why give them more control by perpetually enslaving ourselves as a consequence? Once in, we are dead as an independent people.

       At least in bilateral agreements, we retain mutually agreed fairness, benefits and more independence. If over time, it turns to custard, it would be easy to renegotiate the terms or terminate the deal more easily. Not so with a multi nation deal, especially for a smaller country like New Zealand.

       Reject TPPA. Don’t jump and regret at leisure. Will be too late.
     • Anne 2.1.2

       15 August 2015 at 11:21 am

       Paranoia is always rife when the Americans become involved.

       I am reminded of an occasion when a similar warning went out to American citizens living in NZ. It was January 1991, around the start of the first Gulf War. I was working as a citizen on an Air Force base and one of my superiors was a former American marine officer. (Interesting story there.)

       Having once taken part in a peaceful anti-nuclear march up Queen St., that was apparently enough to designate me a dangerous individual. I found myself under intense scrutiny both on and off that base and it eventually turned very nasty. I remember lying in bed at night… my heart thumping with fear.

       The Public Service hierarchy closed ranks when I later tried to get some answers for the bizarre behaviour, and as a result nobody was ever brought to account.
   • Lara 2.2

     14 August 2015 at 7:30 pm

     The US embassy tend to email their citizens here in NZ when protests are planned.

     Apparently they’re quite dangerous. To those attending anyway. Apparently.

     And this. From the country which purports to bring us “freedom and democracy”.

     I guess they miss the irony.
     • Naturesong 2.2.1

       15 August 2015 at 9:40 am

       Or that they understand the way our police force operates.

       It’s not the protestors who will kick off.
       They’re just the ones who will get blamed in the press.
3. Rupert 3

   14 August 2015 at 2:52 pm

   The US consulate sends these out for every demonstration. Sometimes it’s the first indication I get that there’s a demonstration going on.
   • Karen 3.1

     14 August 2015 at 3:34 pm

     This is the first time the Americans I know received one, and the astonishment being expressed on twitter by others indicates that they have never had a warning about demonstrations before.
   • Tracey 3.2

     14 August 2015 at 4:01 pm

     wonder why this one got a press release then. i have been on all prior auckland tpp marches and there has never been a sign of trouble…
   • Lara 3.3

     14 August 2015 at 7:34 pm

     Yeah. As I read the last one from them I wondered, do they realise they’re actually just doing a nice job of publicising it?

     Kinda like reports of their guys in Vietnam clomping through the jungle with their strong smelling soap and toothpaste, and all the rattling of the kit hanging off their bags.

     They do tend to be good at advertising.
4. heather 4

   14 August 2015 at 4:15 pm

   It is almost like they are looking for trouble and that it is being talked up
   People are getting desperate
   I hope we have thousands outside that embassy and we will make our voices heard
   we do not want their TPPA
   • Draco T Bastard 4.1

     14 August 2015 at 5:11 pm

     We really can’t blame the USians for the TPPA entirely as NZ was one of the initiating countries.
     • Jenny Kirk 4.1.1

       14 August 2015 at 7:29 pm

       Yes Draco – NZ did initiate a free trade agreement with Pacific nations. BUT then the USA muscled in on it and turned into a monster ready to take over entire nations! so I think we can blame the USians for what the TPPA has turned out to be – a nightmare for the future of our country.
   • Skinny 4.2

     14 August 2015 at 5:31 pm

     The American millitary haven’t been training our police force in the latest riot control methods for nothing. And the timing of the roll out of new tasers to all officers, along with this propaganda alert by the American Embassy suggests the cops will be taser happy to zap anyone getting carried away. Take it easy at the rallies and don’t turn it into a shocking experience 🙂
5. Tautoko Mangō Mata 5

   14 August 2015 at 5:24 pm

   but all the rules and regulations, certification, TISA have not come from NZ. The patent, food labelling, intellectual property regs are largely being driven by corporations via USA.
6. Clemgeopin 6

   14 August 2015 at 5:46 pm

   I don’t think anyone is against the American people. The protest is against the secret TPPA deal that is being driven by the big multinational corporations and some stupid politicians who are about to sell our country’s freedom and sovereignty.

   Forget large TPP agreements with all its hooks and shit and instead, let is just stick to bilateral trade agreements between nations where we have better control of our own destiny, independence and democracy.

   Walk away from TPPA now, before it is too late.

   I hope there are at least a few cabinet ministers and National MPs with enough sense, patriotism and conscience who will revolt against this dangerous TPPA.
7. Penny Bright 7

   14 August 2015 at 5:59 pm

   seems this warning by the US Consulate has gone far and wide?

   http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-08/14/c_134516072.htm

   U.S. warns nationals away from New Zealand anti-TPP demonstration

   English.news.cn 2015-08-14 11:46:31

   WELLINGTON, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) — United States diplomats in New Zealand have warned U.S. nationals to avoid going near a march in Auckland to protest against the controversial 12-nation Trans- Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal on Saturday.

   The U.S. Consulate in Auckland put a notice on its website and reportedly e-mailed U.S. nationals in New Zealand on Friday that New Zealand police expected about 8,000 people would attend the march in central Auckland at 1 p.m. local time.

   “We urge citizens to avoid the protest march route as even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational. We remind citizens to always exercise caution when in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations,” said the notice on the website.

   “The Department of State remains concerned about the threat of violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance, to be aware of their surroundings and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.”

   The Auckland march is expected to be the biggest of a series of protests against the TPP scheduled for many of New Zealand’s main centers on Saturday.

   Trade spokesperson for the opposition Green Party, Russel Norman, told Radio New Zealand that he would be joining the protests, and U.S. citizens had nothing to fear.

   “I’d just say to the U.S. Embassy, Auckland isn’t Ferguson and the police won’t be shooting people,” Norman said.

   “It’ll be a peaceful demonstration, they should just relax and maybe they should come along — they might learn something.”

   Opponents have objected to the secrecy surrounding the TPP talks and claim many of the provisions will undermine New Zealand’ s sovereignty and allow transnational corporations undue influence over the country’s laws and regulations.
   …… ”
   ____________________________________________________________________________________

   However – there are actually a LOT of Americans who are ALSO opposed to the TPPA?

   Over 2,000 USA groups Urge Opposition to Fast Track April 27, 2015

   http://www.citizenstrade.org/ctc/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/FastTrackOppositionLtr_042715.pdf

   Looking forward to as many American citizens who are equally opposed to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) joining New Zealanders all over the country in our national TPPA – WALK AWAY! day of action Saturday 15 August 2015.

   Events planned for all over New Zealand are listed HERE:

   http://itsourfuture.org.nz/campaigns/tppa-action-week-8-15-august/

   I do hope that there are not going to be any saboteurs / provocateurs who attempt to disrupt the planned PEACEFUL protests which are being held all over New Zealand tomorrow?

   Penny Bright
   • Clemgeopin 7.1

     14 August 2015 at 10:14 pm

     +1
8. Max Moss 8

   14 August 2015 at 6:11 pm

   All clear.

   No danger of confrontation.

   The president of “Kiwis for TPPA” is in Hawaii and the other member is skiing in Queenstown.
9. save NZ 9

   14 August 2015 at 6:13 pm

   Hello most American citizens are against the TPP too, they’ll be joining us!!

   And we welcome them!

   Come USA consulate and join us! Isn’t the USA for freedom of Speech?
   • Max Moss 9.1

     14 August 2015 at 6:19 pm

     Q. – How can you tell the American university students holidaying in Europe?

     A. – Their backpacks have Canadian flags on them.

     The only Americans you know for sure are war criminals are the ones who live in the White House.
10. Smilin 10

    14 August 2015 at 7:23 pm

    Up your inTIMidation Keygrocer
11. Barbara 11

    15 August 2015 at 8:26 am

    Loved the huge banner in the photo – I hope it leads the march. Also loved Russel Norman’s response to the Consulate reminder – about it not being Ferguson and nobody will be getting shot. Please be careful everyone as tasers will be out in force and I personally know somebody who has been tasered and it’s nasty. Paranoia isn’t the word for it but I think there are other reasons for the Consulate message and they’re not for their citizen’s safety. A sort of subtle warning “we are watching you” . I bet there will be drones hovering overhead taking shots of the crowds – the dossier of mug shots will be enlarging even more – oh happy days.

    Good luck with the protest march, I would be there but I am crook with asthma and I am getting on in years – I have marched in the past so my heart is with everybody doing their bit.
    • Rosie 11.1

      15 August 2015 at 11:38 am

      +1. Russel Norman’s response was gold.
12. freedom 12

    15 August 2015 at 9:12 am

    DEAR MODS:
    Can someone please update the header for the TPPA Protest post ? Thank you
13. James 13

    15 August 2015 at 9:45 am

    I predict that there will be a lot more people facing the rain to go to Eden Park to watch the rugby that will turn out for this.

    You will see the usual faces that protest everything. A few mana and unite union flags.

    It always the same, which is why it makes no difference and will be ignored.
    • freedom 13.1

      15 August 2015 at 10:48 am
    • tracey 13.2

      15 August 2015 at 2:59 pm

      and you are so disinterested you had to post.
14. James 14

    15 August 2015 at 9:45 am

    I predict that there will be a lot more people facing the rain to go to Eden Park to watch the rugby that will turn out for this.

    You will see the usual faces that protest everything. A few mana and unite union flags.

    It always the same, which is why it makes no difference and will be ignored.
    • Barbara 14.1

      15 August 2015 at 10:25 am

      James – I can hear Bomber saying you are a juvenile with the maturity of a can of coke. I agree with him.
    • Paul 14.2

      15 August 2015 at 11:03 am

      “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
      Margaret Mead
    • tracey 14.3

      15 August 2015 at 3:00 pm

      the ’36 Olympics in Berlin were really popular too
    • Lanthanide 14.4

      15 August 2015 at 4:00 pm

      Yeah, these protests are always the same and never achieve anything.

      Oh wait: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3647465/Thousands-march-against-mining
      • weka 14.4.1

        15 August 2015 at 4:06 pm

        Or this http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/3999399/Thousands-in-Dunedin-neurosurgery-march
15. Karen 15

    15 August 2015 at 10:51 am

    Pouring with rain in Auckland currently, which will affect numbers because there is no shelter in Aotea Square. I will still go as one of “the usual faces” but the numbers attending protests never represent the degree of opposition to an issue.

    The comparison with the rugby is pathetic. Eden Park is under cover, but more to the point, those going have already spent a fortune on tickets. Of course they will go.
16. Realblue 16

    15 August 2015 at 11:04 am

    Bomber is an irrevolancy desperately looking for attention.
    • Matthew Whitehead 16.1

      15 August 2015 at 2:15 pm

      At least Bomber can spell “irrelevancy.” 😉
17. Rosie 17

    15 August 2015 at 11:32 am

    Gutted to not be able to attend today in Wellington. A serious foot injury and a lingering respiratory infection isn’t ideal for chanting, shouting and marching.

    No matter where you are in the country today, go hard, have fun!
18. Rosie 18

    15 August 2015 at 11:36 am

    PS: Re these comments about tasers. It was only announced fairly recently that all front line Police would be issued with tasers. Is it likely they would already have the large stocks of tasers they need available to them? And if so, is the issuing of tasers immediate?

    I can’t think of anything more chilling than attending a rally seeing cops with tasers on their hips.
    • Realblue 18.1

      15 August 2015 at 12:49 pm

      Cops with guns on their hips ?
      • Rosie 18.1.1

        15 August 2015 at 1:53 pm

        Cops in clown masks?

        If Greg O Connor had his way, they would be armed with guns.
        • Realblue 18.1.1.1

          15 August 2015 at 4:17 pm

          Clown masks? Pretty shabby assessment of the great work the Police do to protect us from criminals. I do hope you have a viable alternative? Or is it just your delusional paranoia kicking it? It’s quite legendary I hear.
          • Molly 18.1.1.1.1

            15 August 2015 at 4:56 pm

            Let’s see… unarmed cops…. what could they do?
19. AmaKiwi 19

    15 August 2015 at 3:17 pm

    15,000 to 20,000 marched in Auckland.

    That’s from Chris Trotter who is very experienced at counting people at protest marches. Chris counted the blocks of marchers. He didn’t guess by looking at the square.
    • tinfoilhat 19.1

      15 August 2015 at 3:39 pm

      Chris must have gone to a different march to the one that I attended.
      • Tracey 19.1.1

        15 August 2015 at 3:41 pm

        it’s possible… he’s not the man he was… 😉
    • Tracey 19.2

      15 August 2015 at 3:39 pm

      will be 2 to 4000 on the news
      • Karen 19.2.1

        15 August 2015 at 3:57 pm

        Having had many decades of marching in Queen Street, my estimate would be over 10,000. The Herald is claiming 5000 and Stuff 2000, but both figures seemed to be based on Aotea Square. A lot of people were sheltering from the rain in nearby buildings while waiting for the march to start, so the Aotea Square number is not accurate.

        The march itself was wide and very, very long. I saw people I hadn’t seen on a march since the Springbok tour.
        • Paul 19.2.1.1

          15 August 2015 at 3:59 pm

          Over 10 000
          Easy
        • lprent 19.2.1.2

          15 August 2015 at 4:20 pm

          I joined in down Queen Street as did many others. The speeches I have heard before.
        • tinfoilhat 19.2.1.3

          15 August 2015 at 4:55 pm

          I would’ve said around 5-6 thousand definitely shy of 10 thousand.
        • Clemgeopin 19.2.1.4

          15 August 2015 at 5:21 pm

          +1

          I am sure the Government security helicopters, GCSB, CIA, SIS, the Police, the satellites, some foreign press etc would be able to give us a more accurate estimate. Waiting to hear Key or Groser reveal this secret number in the house on Tuesday during question time!
      • Rosie 19.2.2

        15 August 2015 at 4:08 pm

        Interesting how varied assessments of crowd sizes can be. Fairfax says 2000 in akld, 1000 in wgtn

        http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/71152277/thousands-march-against-tpp-trade-agreement

        where as I heard on RNZ that there were 3000 in wgtn and 2,500 in akld.

        Friend texted from the akld rally and told me there were “thousands”. Not sure if meant 15,000 – 20,000 though………….I got the sense that she meant the lower thousands.
    • weka 19.3

      15 August 2015 at 4:04 pm

      where did Trotter say that?
    • Clemgeopin 19.4

      15 August 2015 at 5:10 pm

      Radio NZ at 4 pm news said the estimate for Auckland was 10,000 and for Wellington, 8,000.

      RNZ Latest says, 5,000 for Aukland!

      However, Stuff estimated it at 2,000 each, but now have revised it to 5,000 for Auckland and 1,000 for Wellington!

      What strange, stupid and shonky reporting!

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/201766645

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/71152277/thousands-march-against-tpp-trade-agreement
20. AmaKiwi 20

    15 August 2015 at 3:20 pm

    We need some songs.

    The anti-TPPA chants were OK, but marching while singing is fantastic.

    I hope some of you out there are talented enough to revive or re-write some songs for future protest marches.
    • Molly 20.1

      15 August 2015 at 4:58 pm

      Saying the same to a couple of the other protestors today.

      We need to revamp some of those old songs…
21. Jessica Parsons 21

    15 August 2015 at 4:01 pm

    I also wondered why this caution got so much coverage, as I’ve had so many in recent years.

    “But let’s get real. For 2015 so far:

    8000+ US gun deaths
    700+ US people killed by police

    And they’re sending us a warning?”

    http://minimalistmum.blogspot.co.nz/2015/08/public-protest-may-be-hazardous-to-your.html
22. Grey Area 22

    15 August 2015 at 4:14 pm

    Royal NZ Herald says an “estimated 5000” marched in Auckland. Stuff & Nonsense says it was “around 2000” and “around a thousand” marched in Wellington.

    An estimated 300-400 of us (estimated by me) marched in Napier from Memorial Square to the Sound Shell chanting lustily as we went and sometimes even at the same time. (Everyone did well really but just got out of sync at times).

    Very good turnout for our neck of the woods and I was pleased to be part of it and the opposition across the country..
    • lprent 22.1

      15 August 2015 at 4:17 pm

      Auckland was well above 5000, somewhere between 7000 and 10000. And probably closer to the latter. The problem is that you can only really count from above.
      • Paul 22.1.1

        15 August 2015 at 5:32 pm

        Are there overhead pictures somewhere?
      • Enough 22.1.2

        15 August 2015 at 6:02 pm

        I’d concur with that 7-10.000 estimate. Spent many years organising major public events and exhibitions (Earls Court, London and other places where attendances frequently exceeded 60,000 people a day – also Auckland showgrounds 15-20,000 on a very busy day). You get an eye for crowd numbers.

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