May Day Communique

Occupy Otautahi Christchurch
General Assembly Consensus

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Kia ora koutou,

We stand in commemoration of the millions of workers sacrificed in the 1914-1918 imperialist war, and all workers so needlessly lost, at the antipodean marking of ANZAC Day. We memorialise Fred Evans, the first New Zealand worker killed in political action for a better world and working conditions, struck down by a police baton at Waihi in November 1912. Equally, we remember Ernie Abbott and Christine Clark, and wish the world to know their names too, so that New Zealand does not forget them along with workers' struggle. We point out that Aotearoa-NZ led the world by implementing - in the same week - the eight-hour workday alongside the Treaty of Waitangi and preceding the first electoral votes for women, in February 1840. By that under-respected heritage we proudly stand, against all the dishonoured promise.

For May Day 2012, we urge workers worldwide to look to the traditions and methods of direct democracy, workers' councils, syndicated economic management and political revolution, and celebrate that the time for ordinary working people to govern our own lives has finally arrived.

We join with workers worldwide in calling corrupt governance to account, through the occupation of workplaces, public spaces and streets, with general strike action to bring the rule of injustice down. The failing mismanagement by the 1%, of all the world's resources and accumulated wealth, is very clear for all to see. We no longer accept it or support it in any way. We do not accept your wars or false borders, your racist, sexist, ageist, homophobic, gender and disability oppression, your corporate greed or the destructive competition to exist by which you thrive. We defend freedom of thought, belief and expression that respects all people’s identical human rights. Your reign and controls - those of the monopoly capitalist class - are at an end.

We are the future - your future. We are your children and your grandchildren, and the powers of wasteful capital are over. We refuse them. We are environmentalists, socialists and the aware. We are anarchist and communist, and we are neither - we are the sustainable transition of society that no-one can avoid. We are the 99%, and we are moving.

We hereby evict your wealthy elitism and abusive authority - your bad attitude and naughty behaviour - in the name of justice and all that is communally fair and right. A far better world is possible, and we, the people, are building it. Rise up! Kia kaha! Welcome home!

Occupy.

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