PM Response Will Determine Marchers’ Next Move

MEDIA RELEASE
22 November 2009

The organisers of the March for Democracy say that the response of the government to the March for Democracy yesterday will determine how far and wide they take the campaign and for how long.

They have requested a meeting with the Prime Minister John Key this week to present the ‘Marchers Statement’ endorsed by the 6,000 who attended the event in Auckland yesterday.

“We have contacted the Prime Minister’s office today and have requested a meeting this week to present the Marchers Statement and to ask for a response,” says organiser Colin Craig.

“To get thousands of people to give up half a day to express their view and march shows just how strong the feeling is amongst NZ’ers that they want to see politicians deliver what the people ask for. It’s time to honour the citizens and do what the people want.”

“If the government refuses to dialogue on this issue, then we will be accepting invitations from centres throughout NZ who have asked for a locally based March. We are willing to take this campaign through to the general election in 2011 if that is what is required.”

The Marchers Statement says:

• We the citizens of New Zealand affirm that the people of New Zealand are to be valued and respected as individuals who count in a democratic society.
• We the citizens of New Zealand demand that the government employ the principle of democracy; enacting laws in accordance with the wishes of the majority.
• Accordingly, we demand immediate amendment of the law so that a parent correcting a child with a light smack will not be committing a criminal offence.
• We also demand that the wishes of citizens expressed in prior referendums by a clear majority be honoured.

Bob McCoskrie of Family First NZ says “At a previous march against the Electoral Finance Bill when John Key was leader of the Opposition, he sent a note to the marchers which said ‘I will listen to what people like you, and many thousands of others are saying. You are fighting for a principle. You are fighting for the most important principle. You are fighting for democracy. I salute you. John Key’.”

“It’s now time that John Key demonstrated that commitment.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media