MEDIA RELEASE
19 June 2008

Call For South Auckland Families to Rally Together

Family First is joining with the NZ Sikh Society, Samoan, Sri Lankan, Asian and other community groups to hold a rally on Saturday at the Manukau City Square behind the Westfield Shopping Centre at 2pm. They are calling on South Auckland families to come together in a stand of unity.

“The community has been rocked by a number of violent crimes and it is vital that families of South Auckland stand together and support each other during this time,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ, and a Manurewa resident.

“South Auckland is a great place but a very small minority of people are making families feel unsafe. There is an element of fear in the community at the moment through these recent tragedies, and we need to remind residents that the strength of a community is based on the unity of the families standing together and supporting each other.”

“It is also an opportunity for families of different cultures to unite, and highlight that this is not a racial issue. It is a crime issue and the safety of families must come first,”says Mr McCoskrie.

“It is time that the effects on a community of crime - which includes anything from tagging, intimidating window-washers and vandalism right through to drug and alcohol abuse, violent crimes and murders – are acknowledged. The safety and well-being of families must come first. The police must be resourced and empowered to tackle the problem head-on. Laws must work to protect families.”

The Rally Against Crime will be held on Saturday 21 June at 2pm at the Manukau City Square behind Westfield Shopping Centre. Speakers include Acting Manukau City Mayor Gary Troup, Family First’s Bob McCoskrie, Charlie Borrell (father of Augustine Borrell) and representatives from the ethnic groups represented. .

ENDS

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