Media release: Occupy Christchurch

Date: 23 March 2012

Subject: Closing weekend at Occupy Corner

Occupy Christchurch thanks Christchurch city and its council, for the relative tolerance shown towards Occupy's use of the eastern corner of South Hagley Park for political protest. Responsibility has always been taken by this movement, to right the wrongs of the world and improve humanity by challenging high housing costs in particular. Christchurch now suffers disproportionately in this regard due to earthquakes. For that reason and others - which every family goes through in a consumer culture - demand upon the protest camp over summer became unmanageable then toxic. Occupy Christchurch apologises to the Canterbury District Health Board and its funders, for focusing street demand on public services in their vicinity, thus. However, we do not apologise for highlighting and trying to resolve such social pressures. We seek to work with local authorities to improve the conditions faced by outdoor residents, in ways that show all generations better ways of being.

Consequently, the decision has been taken to discontinue the Occupy Corner encampment.

The public is warmly invited to share in the learning of the Occupy democratic phenomenon, through our second Open Air University, this Sunday 25th March. A day of workshops is organised for Occupy Corner, starting at 10am and ending at 7pm. It is expected that the camp will be fully vacated the day before. Sunday will be for celebration, outreach and transition.

Open Air University schedule:

10am: General intro: Why are we here? - Facilitated by Occupy Christchurch.

11am: The Big Picture: 12 Necessary Transitions to an Open Future by John Veitch - Internet pioneer and Environmental and social activist.

12pm: The Food Bill by Steffan Browning - Green Party MP.

1pm: Fracking (Hydraulic fracturing) by Danielle O'Halloran.

2pm: Energy, economics and the environment by Akash Singh – Activist and business student.

3pm: Break.

6pm: Learning from Occupy: Challenges for the future by Dr Bronwyn Hayward – Senior lecturer in Social and political sciences at the University of Canterbury and author of a controversial forthcoming book “Children Citizenship and Environment: Nurturing a democratic imagination in a changing world” which looks at the issues of how to sustain democracy, social and environmental, in a world of growing child poverty, social inequality, and unstable, extractive economic growth.*

Wet weather venue for this program is the WEA at 59 Gloucester Street. Please self-cater as best you can - bring sandwiches, a drink and snacks e.g.

Kia Kaha Christchurch: we are glad to be part of this indomitable community.

Occupy Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Refs. http://www.occupychristchurch.org

* http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9781849714372/

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