beautiful monsters

support for GE Free Aotearoa continues

Kia ora e hoa ma,

I’ve been down at the GE Free Tent City for the past three nights. I just finished the 3am night watch, and I thought I’d sneak home for a couple of hours, check my mail, have a shower, do dopey sleep-deprived things like put my wallet through the wash, and be back in time for the morning’s action.

Why are we camped out on Parliament lawn? Because we’ve tried everything else. We’ve organised marches and demos, public meetings, petitions, we’ve put posters up all over the country, sent thousands of letters… 70% of New Zealanders have said that they want the moratorium extended, and the government has refused to listen. So, we’ve decided to change our tactics. We’ve gathered together to talk about the issues and where we’re going to go from here – and we want to send a strong message to the government. The police turned up this afternoon (first undercover, then more in uniform) and told us that if we didn’t leave Parliament grounds by sunset, we’d be issued with trespass notices and arrested. About 80 people decided that we would stay put, regardless. We wanted to show the government that we are prepared to do whatever it takes to get our message heard – even if that means risking arrest. Once it became clear that no one would leave (and, in fact, more people were arriving, hearing about the story on the radio and bringing food and reinforcements) the police left.

The actions will continue over the week. Today (Tuesday) is the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and there will be workshops about GE & Te Tiriti. Tomorrow at lunchtime we’ll be launching the People’s moratorium. If the government refuses to extend the moratorium, then we must take matters into our own hands. Come along, join in for a hour, a day, or bring a tent and come for the whole week. Spread the word! There is strength in numbers.

Some people may say it’s too late, the government has made up their minds. And there are already GE organisms alive in Aotearoa. Others say that protests won’t achieve anything. But it’s never too late! Just because there are a few GE organisms here, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t prevent more being created. We have to minimise the damage. And protests can, have, and *will* bring about change! Just look at history, look at what peaceful protestors have achieved. The nuclear free movement is a perfect analogy within our own country. People didn’t say “oh, it’s too late, there are already ships coming through, and anyway, we won’t change anything.” They took a stand, held their ground, and they achieved their goals.

I’ve got to get back down there, but I hope to see some of you in the next couple of days. And give this info to as many people as possible.

Kia kaha,
nga mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa,
Fionnaigh
(tired but hopeful).

Posted by Fionnaigh at October 28, 2003 03:53 AM