Protesters are right - we can't afford to carry the one percent

Protesters in 82 nations who demonstrated over the weekend against the power of the one percent who control much of the worlds wealth have got it right says MANA.

"We are the 99% but the very wealthy not only control our resources, they also have political control and use it to make themselves even richer," says MANA Economic Justice spokesperson John Minto.

'What is happening locally is a good example," he says. One of the one percenters is our Prime Minister and the result has been entirely predictable."

"Along with the other 150 richest New Zealanders, John Key has skimmed an extra $7 billion in the last year while the rest of the country has struggled and the economy as a whole has been downgraded by the credit agencies."

Around 2000 people marched in Auckland on Saturday and a camp of over 40 tents has been established in Aotea Square as part of the ongoing protest and occupation.

Mana was active on the march and is a part of the occupation.

Now is the time to look at how we run our economic system and change it to meet ordinary peoples' needs.

"We are destroying the environment of our beautiful country, we are destroying our communities and too many people are going without while the rich sit back smugly.

"If the system doesn't work it's time to listen to what people are saying all over the world. We can't afford to carry the 1% any longer."

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