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28 November 2011

Occupy Auckland members issued trespass notice from Auckland Council

Occupy Auckland has been issued a trespass notice from Auckland Council CEO Douglas McKay requiring members of Occupy Auckland to forthwith leave and stay away from Aotea Square.

Occupy Auckland occupant, Joshua Brucker, believes this action by Auckland Council as “wholly inappropriate”.

Occupy Auckland Spokesperson Chris Glen, is of the same view. “This provocative action taken by the Council is in direct contradiction with the understood position of Mayor Len Brown. At our latest liaison meeting Len vehemently stated that no immediate action would be taken against the lawful protest action in Aotea Square while discussions were ongoing”.

“Occupy Auckland had been in constant communication and negotiation with Auckland Council. It was only just last Friday that Occupy Auckland representatives met with the Mayoral Office of the Council”.

Included below is an email from Auckland Council Liaison Officer, Natalie Verdouw, to Occupy Auckland, 26 November 2011, as a follow-up to the Friday 26th meeting between Occupy Auckland representatives and the Mayor’s office.

Occupy Auckland was in the process of forming a response to the requests from the Mayoral Office when the trespass notice was issued.

Please see below the contents of the email sent yesterday after our meeting with the Mayor:

This email confirms the discussions held Friday 25 November 2011 between the Mayor and others and Occupy Auckland.

The Mayor requests the following:

• that Aotea Square be returned to all the people of Auckland for their use and enjoyment.
• that Occupy Auckland provide a date of departure from Aotea Square and for that date to be in the very near future i.e. within 2 weeks.
• that Occupy Auckland agree a small group of representative members with the authority to discuss and negotiate on behalf of the wider group and make decisions in response to those discussions and negotiations
• that Occupy Auckland consider these matters at the General Assembly meetings over the weekend and provide him with a response on Monday 28 November 2011.

The Mayor has heard the voice of the people of Occupy Auckland and the worldwide action the occupation movement has taken and has offered action from Auckland Council in support of the broad issues raised by the occupation.

The Mayor is prepared to consider an alternative location on at least the same terms as previously offered by Auckland Council for the occupation should Aotea Square be returned as requested.

Kind regards,

Natalie Verdouw
Manager Risk and Assurance
Auckland Council Liaison Officer - Occupy Auckland

ENDS

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