NZ Rallys to Support Aboriginal Day of Action

NZ Rallys to Support Aboriginal Day of Action

Stop the Forced Closures of Aboriginal Communities

Māori, New Zealanders, Pacific and International communities will gather in Wellington, New Zealand this Friday and throughout New Zealand, to show their support for Aboriginal peoples of Australia who face forced closures of their communities.

“Aboriginal peoples have called a Day of Action on 01 May 2015 and we will be right behind them doing the same here in Wellington, and throughout Aotearoa”, said Teanau Tuiono, Media Spokesperson for the Wellington event.

“Their struggle is to protect their way of life, to live on their lands as they have for centuries and to receive basic services. These are human rights. We want to send the Australian Government a strong message from Māori and New Zealand that forcing them off their lands is unacceptable”, said Mr Tuiono.

Prime Minister John Key has refused to address the issue saying, "this is a matter for the government of Australia”. Earlier this month Gerry Brownlee denied co-leader of the Māori Party, Marama Fox leave from the House of Representatives to vote on a motion to condemn the Australian Government’s impending closure of remote indigenous communities in Western Australia.

“The New Zealand Government may be silent on the matter but we won’t be, the forced closure of Aboriginal communities, the cutting of basic health services to Aboriginal people, evicting them at gunpoint from their homes so that their lands can be exploited for its mineral wealth is unacceptable. We invite you to attend the Wellington Rally to show your opposition to these grievous acts”, concludes Mr Tuiono.

The Wellington rally has been organised for this Friday, 1st of May and will commence 12noon at Katherine Mansfield Park. Guest speakers include MANA Leader, Hone Harawira, Dr Maria Bargh and Pala Molisa

Rallys will also take place in Auckland, Hamilton, Napier and Dunedin.

ENDS

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