Press Release Dec 9th 2015

Question Time Interrupted By Democracy

Today thousands of votes against the TPP today interrupted parliament’s Question Time, after being thrown from the public gallery by activist group Real Choice.

After releasing the results of their nationwide ‘people’s referendum’ this morning, several Real Choice members today rained down thousands of pieces of paper bearing the words ‘No TPPA’ over the House.

Spokesperson Rowan Brooks said ‘From the 23rd-30th of November, we ran a people’s referendum that attracted over 12,000 votes from New Zealanders across the country. This is the largest gauge of public opinion on the TPP that has been conducted in New Zealand, and revealed massive dissent from the government’s position with over 97% of respondents opposed to its ratification.’

‘We felt it was important to let our politicians know just how out of touch they are with most Kiwis on this issue, which is why this afternoon we released thousands of pieces of paper onto their heads, representing the thousands of votes we received against the TPP. Today we delivered democracy to parliament.’

‘If we can run a week long referendum and get over 12,000 participants, there is no reason the government can’t run a referendum on the TPP themselves, especially given the farcical flag referendum currently in progress.’

‘This government has refused to listen to the views and values of ordinary New Zealand. We promise that as long as the government persists in the ratification of the TPP without giving Kiwis a say, we will persist in a campaign of civil disobedience.’

ENDS

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