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Scoop Video: Aotearoa is Not for Sale Hikoi to Parliament
Scoop Video: Aotearoa is Not for Sale Hikoi to Parliament
Around 5000 demonstrators reached Parliament today to protest the sale of state assets. The demonstration was the climax of the North Island-wide hikoi which began in Cape Reinga on April 24. The crowd was a diverse mix of iwi, unions, party supporters, students, and workers, among others.
Several MPs spoke, including Russel Norman, Grant Robertson, Winston Peters, Hone Harawira. Te Ururoa Flavell of the Maori Party also spoke, but could not be heard over the booing of the crowd. Although the Maori Party have been accused of supporting state asset sales, the majority on the issue is 61 to 60--59 National Party members, plus John Banks and Peter Dunne.
From today, there will be a week of various actions happening in Wellington related to the hikoi.
"Dumb and mad" investors
"Tahi, rua, toru, wha, John Key's a hoha!"
Protesters usually stop and stand at the allocated barrier. However, police presence was not particularly strong at the march, and the demonstrators came around the barriers up to the steps of Parliament.
Once there, one of the organisers asked the crowd to move back to avoid a crush.
ENDS
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