15th October 2011, 8pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press release: Occupy Auckland

Occupy Auckland has begun

2,000 supporters of Occupy Auckland marched up Queen Street to Aotea Square today.

Eighty of the protesters have set up a dozen tents for the night.

Protests were also held today in New Plymouth, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill.

The New Zealand occupations are the first of 1,600 events planned around the world today, inspired by Occupy Wall Street.

Alex Port, a university student who is camping for the night, said the group’s decision making process was as much the message as people and planet before profit.

“Our general assembly involved 2,000 people from all walks of life and made decisions by consensus without a hitch,” she said. “Decisions included giving unanimous support to Occupy Wall Street and establishing the occupation.”

Mrs Port says not all supporters could join the occupation for the night.

“Supporters and the curious are welcome to join for an hour, day, night or longer,” she said.

Protesters are now setting up groups to deal with the occupation including security, food, sanitation and the internet connection used to send the groups press release.

The next general assembly will start tomorrow at 4:30pm. http://www.occupyauckland.org/

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