Extinction Rebellion Aotearoa launch decolonisation action
Today in Wellington, Extinction Rebellion Aotearoa
stormed parliament grounds and desecrated the statue of
‘King Dick’ (Richard Seddon), drawing attention to his
major role in the colonisation and exploitation of Mãori
land. Well known Nga Puhi and Muaupoko activist Josie
Butler, ‘dildo thrower’, staunchly let off a flare on
parliamentary grounds - symbolising the class war’flare’
perpetuated by colonisation. The group also targeted the
plaque of Captain James Cook, expressing their continued
discontent at the government’s commemoration of a
perpetrator of atrocities and murderer of Maori people. The
action was also in support of a nationwide coordination to
counter the mainstream narrative of the heavily state-funded
Tuia250 event.
As recorded in his own memoirs and
according to tangata whenua across the nation, Cook
circumnavigated Aotearoa intentionally killing, raping, and
deliberately infecting local Maori with disease. The
Endeavour replica, currently sailing around Aotearoa, is
only a bitter reminder of colonialism that continues to
oppress Maori today.
Kãi Tahu activist, Tiaho Nga
Morehu, stated “colonisation in Aotearoa resulted from
capitalism and industrialisation in Europe. The continued
exploitation of people, land, and resources here in
Aotearoa, and globally, has caused the social, climate, and
ecological emergency we are all
experiencing”.
Currently, Extinction Rebellion
Aotearoa is working through a process of decolonisation, by
review of the Extinction Rebellion 3 Demands and inclusion
of a 4th Demand that indigenous sovereignty,
self-determination, and the impacts of colonisation be
recognised by the government and peoples of Aotearoa.
Additionally, that participation in a Citizens’ Assembly
will not continue to disadvantage Mãori as the current
democratic system does.
Extinction Rebellion Aotearoa
rejects colonisation and acknowledges the pain and suffering
of tangata whenua.
Richard Seddon “King Dick”
served as the 15th Premier of New Zealand from 1893 until
his death. He was described as ‘tyrannical’ and was well
known for his promotion of New Zealand's interests in the
name of imperialism. He was a major player in the Native
Land Purchase Acquisition Act, along with the Land for
Settlements Act, and described his role with Maori as a
“civilising mission”.
NB: at time of writing it is
unknown if Josie Butler got arrested for her actions, but it
is worth noting, that three Pakeha let off flares at the XR
action yesterday, with absolutely no
repercussions.