Photos of the Auckland action on 14/6/12. Photographs courtesy of Luke Coles and Simon Oosterman

Press release: Aotearoa Is Not For Sale declares National Day of Action a success

On Saturday July 14, thousands of people took to the streets in 16 centres across New Zealand in protest against the National-led Government's plans to partially sell state-owned assets. All around the country, in an unprecedented display of organisation and coordination, the people of New Zealand told Prime Minister John Key in no uncertain terms, "You've Got Mail!" Demonstrations took place in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Nelson, Palmerston North, Tauranga, Timaru, the Hokianga (Rawene), Takaka, Whanganui, Whangarei, Napier and Raglan.

The National Day of Action was the second major protest in the campaign against asset sales. The ANFS focus is on building the breadth and depth of the movement, and forming relationships with concerned New Zealanders in all parts of the country as this is truly a national movement.

On Saturday, the ANFS campaign took its first tentative steps toward mass direct democracy. At the Auckland and Nelson events, the campaign conducted a popular vote involving more than 5,000 people, deciding on three propositions which will now become part of ANFS policy:

1. To commit to not buying shares in the assets sold
2. To boycott Mighty River Power/Mercury Energy, and if possible switch to another SOE
3. That all shares in Mighty River Power/Mercury Energy should be declared to be unethical investments

"It is inspiring and exciting to be a part of such a diverse and passionate movement across New Zealand. The support we have had from the public has been overwhelming," says ANFS spokesperson Miriam Pierard. "This issue has proven itself to be a catalyst for change Saturday's nationwide action saw many people out on the streets who had never been to a protest before in their lives. New Zealanders are worried, upset and angry about the Government's brazen dismissal of their concerns, and they want to do something about it. This is democracy in action."

http://aotearoaisnotforsale.com
http://www.facebook.com/AotearoaIsNotForSaleNZ

ENDS

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