27 April in Wellington – A Protest Against State Asset Theft (Part Tahi)

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NZ, Wellington, 27 April – On a crisp, summery day, citizens of Wellington (and some from further afield), began to assemble at Te Aro (“Pigeon”) Park, in Manners Street, to send (another) message to National ministers: Aotearoa is not for sale!

TV1 cameraman, with Police and protest organisers, together planning the march route and other  measures to keep people safe during the event. There was excellent co-operation between both parties. ANFS has a solid record for peaceful, non-violent, law-abiding protest;

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From about 2pm, the crowd quickly swelled from a few dozen, to several hundred. Ages ranged from young children, to the elderly.  It was interesting to note that over half the assembled people were in their 20s or 30s.

The issue of state assets belonging to the people, has become an inter-generational matter of concern and deeply-held beliefs;

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Question. Will all our assets be gone – flogged off to investors from Beijing, Berlin, or Boston – by the time this young fellow grows up?  Will he be a tenant-worker in his own country – a country that was sold out from under his feet by venal, ignorant  politicians and a distracted middle-class?

Answer? Not if we have anything to say about it!

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From the young, to the older. This is an issue that cuts across generations, race, gender, class, etc;

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Some good sounds from the Brass Razoo Solidarity Band;

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Good representation from the young people of the Mana Party;

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Plenty of good humour evident amongst the protest group. I wonder if Dear Leader would like this piece of art?Perhaps for a small sum donated to a worthy charity?

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ANFS (Aotearoa Not For Sale) organiser, Ariana, addressing the crowd,

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Young New Zealanders who want what we took for granted as children ourselves; clean rivers and clean seas. Is this too much to ask from a consumerist generation?

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Simple messages on home-made placards;

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Once Key and his cronies sell of our assets, what will be left for this young lady? And will she and her young generation curse us for letting it happen?

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Another simple, home-made message from a New Zealander to the government;

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A young socialist in the making? The struggle does not end here, nor will neo-liberalism triumph. Not whilst the young continue to bear the banner;

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Another view of the crowd, listening to ANFS co-organiser, Francis, barely visible in the background (holding bullhorn);

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I think a good number of people in this country would agree with these messages;

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A good message – and one all governments  should  consider;

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Three staunch MANA Party supporters. Note the message on the placard. Aside from simple-minded Tory supporters, who really believes that power prices will fall, once Mighty River Power, Meridian, and Genesis are partially-privatised?

Will investors really settle for a drop in returns on their share investments? Yeah, right, of course they will… *pfffft!!*

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A very clear message. This banner will lead the march;

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Valerie, addressing the crowd about the protocols of the march,

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Two cars  painted to promote the day of action. Using corporate-style vehicle-advertising – how cool is that?

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Continued at: 27 April in Wellington – A Protest Against State Asset Theft (Part Rua) – Where the march heads for Parliament grounds!

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