Anti-Bypass Protestors to Party in the Path of the 'Bypass'

Anti-'bypass' protestors and members of the public are to take to the streets today, to coincide with Transit's eviction of tenants along the proposed inner-city 'bypass' route. Gathering in Civic Square, the protestors will march to a currently undisclosed destination somewhere on the proposed 'bypass' route for a Reclaim the Streets party. The Reclaim the Streets party will feature bands and DJ's such as: DJ Y (Amsterdam) GND, Tommy, The Carnies, and many more.

Date: Tuesday, 26th February

Place: Civic Square (this will be the meeting point that protesters will march from)

Time: Starting at 6pm

Anti-Bypass Action spokesperson Mark Eden described today's Reclaim the Streets party as "a chance for members of the public to come together and celebrate the very space and community that Transit is trying to destroy.

"It is not just the tenants being evicted who will be affected. Transit's proposed inner-city bypass, whether it goes ahead or not, will destroy a big piece of the close-knit Te Aro community. A big stinky road will affect many more people who live, play and work in the Te Aro area - they have already let the area run into decline and now they propose to rip out the heart of it and replace it with a slab of concrete." reported Mark Eden.

Tenants being evicted from their homes and premises by Transit today include residents of Kensington Street and Tonks Ave, and upper Cuba Street. "They are kicking people out of their homes today for a project which they haven't even received funding or all the planning consents for." commented Mr Eden.

"Even if the 'bypass' does not go ahead, the future of the area is uncertain - we must fight to retain the community and magic of Te Aro's heritage."

Anti-Bypass Action is a loose coalition of people from throughout the Wellington region who propose to take up direct action and civil disobedience against the bypass in protection of our community.

Reclaim the Streets is an international movement that was first founded in England in the early 1990's as a form of protest against roading development. It has expanded since then and now encompasses many various issues, with the goal of reclaiming public space, and making protesting fun, and dancing political.

KEY FACTS: * Transit New Zealand last year gave twelve tenants on the "bypass" route eviction notices that take effect on 26 February 2002.

* Transit has not received funding for construction of the proposed inner-city "bypass" and has yet to get Historic Places Trust authorisation for the project.

* For more information about the inner-city bypass and Reclaim the Streets look at:

- Campaign for a Better City: www.cbc.org

- Reclaim the Streets: www.reclaimthestreets.net

Media Contact Person:

Mark Eden

Ph: 021 586 554

E-mail: poo@tradeshall.org.nz

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