An alliance of Wellington groups will march from Midland Park to the US Embassy on Saturday, 6 September at 1pm with a clear demand: No FBI cops and no US troops stationed in Aotearoa NZ.

The Director of the USA’s Federal Bureau of Investigation recently visited Aotearoa NZ, welcomed by New Zealand’s far-right government, with plans to establish an FBI office here. At the same time, the New Zealand Army announced the likelihood of American troops training regularly on Kiwi soil.

“The FBI is a US domestic police force. It has no role in protecting ordinary New Zealanders. Instead it has a very clear reputation as a political police force targeting left wing activists,” said Valerie Morse from Peace Action Wellington.

“We see this cooperation as the strengthening of authoritarianism of both governments, and a threat to safety and community for all of us. This isn’t just about NZ and US police and military working together. This is really about the very deep and dangerous US influence on our government that will pull us into a war – and will result in the criminalisation of those who oppose it.”

The FBI Director said the establishment of this office “would counter China's influence in the Pacific” – clearly indicating that this office is considered a part of the USA’s Pacific strategy.

“We are deeply alarmed at the US push to war with China. This is not just talk, but is in the planning stages within the Pentagon and Defence House here in Wellington. The US is creating the conditions where war with China is inevitable.”

“All of this is in the context of the US’s continued support of a genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, a crackdown on protest and the New Zealand government’s closed-door revision of anti-terror laws here which may well tighten restrictions on solidarity protest.”

“We want to be really clear that we believe that it is US imperialism that is driving global insecurity, genocide and massive increases in weapons sales. The NZ government’s decision to side with the US against our largest trading partner is a lose-lose strategy.”

“At the same time, anti-imperialism and anti-authoritarianism doesn’t mean supporting one imperialism or authoritarian government over another. We do not endorse Chinese military growth or its brutal domestic actions.”

“We believe a different approach is not only possible, but desirable and necessary. We have global challenges to face – and we need to do that together, united by our common humanity and desire for all people to live in dignity with the things they need. We do not believe that the world’s only superpower should dictate the conditions for the planet’s eight billion people.”

“We continue to operate under Te Kahu o Te Raukura, the cloak of peace laid down by Mana Whenua. This rally will honour that kaupapa. We invite all who value peace, justice and self-determination to join us.”

This event is jointly organised by Peace Action Wellington, Poneke Anti-Fascist Coalition, People Against Prisons Aotearoa, the International Socialist Organisation, and Te Tai Tētēkura.

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