Police Clash with Protesters Searching for TPPA Documents

Beginning at 10am today, ‘Show us Ya Text’ converged on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade building in Wellington to seize the text of the TPPA. At this time the police have formed lines blocking all entrances and denying protesters entry to the building.

For the last 3 hours the “searchers” two by two have attempt to move past police and enter the building. After repeated attempts and forceful push back from police pairs finish and allow another pair to being.

Spokesperson Lizzie Sullivan said "We are here to stand up for our democratic rights and to access this document. Police should stand with us and help liberate this document which every New Zealander has the right to see”

Police have a heavy presents with over 60 officers on site including K9 units sitting in vehicles.

The government’s secrecy in these negotiations is an insult to the people of New Zealand. They have not lived up to their obligations of a democratic society, so we have been forced to seize the text for the New Zealand public ourselves.”

“Citizens have come from around the country to participate in our search and seizure action, putting themselves on the line for the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders who can’t. All those participating have undergone practical training in non-violent civil disobedience, the principles of which will be maintained throughout our action”, said Sullivan.

ENDS

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