Press Release
November 7

Aotearoa Is Not For Sale Declares Street Party Against Privatisation A Success

Aotearoa Is Not For Sale reclaimed Karangahape Road for a street party against privatization on Saturday November 3. Despite the somewhat shakey start with the Police trying to shut it down, ANFS has declared the event a success.

The plan to peacefully take the street at 2pm was pushed back as Police threatened to make arrests, despite having worked cooperatively with ANFS in two large marches up Queen Street and other smaller events earlier this year. Activists responded to these threats by sitting in the street, but one woman was picked up by the neck and ears, and another was dropped head-first on the ground by officers, some of whom were not wearing identification badges. One protestor was unfortunately arrested. At least four people, including a local business owner, have filed complaints through the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

After winning the battle to reclaim the street, some 300 people stayed to enjoy the afternoon of music, speeches, entertainment and community, with many more passing through. New Natives and Kinaki played great sets, and DJs including Tina Turntables, Azbo, Gary Cranston and many more had the crowd dancing for hours. The Tamariki area provided entertainment for the kids in the form of face-painting, sidewalk chalk, hula hooping and a pirate. Unfortunately the two tonnes of snow were unable to be delivered due to the Police trying to shut the event down at the time of delivery. Speakers from the Maritime Union of NZ, Its Our Future (TPP Watch), Tamaki Housing Group, Mana, Socialist Aotearoa and Labour enlightened the gathering crowds about the struggle against asset sales on the many different fronts.

Aotearoa Is Not For Sale would like to thank all of the people who made the street party against privatization such a successful event. We would especially like to thank the K Road locals who allowed us to share their street and who joined us in the party and protest.

The ANFS Street Party Against Privatisation sent a strong message to the Government that their plans to sell our state owned enterprises will continue to be challenged. We will not be divided like our assets. We will be united, we will not be silenced, we will resist this together.

www.aotearoaisnotforsale.com

ENDS

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