Organisers Claim Protest Against Mining Biggest In History
Photo-Essay by Selwyn Manning (see below). Text and video courtesy of Dontunderminenz.org and signon.org.nz.
Auckland - Organisers of Saturday's protest claim up to 50,000 people marched up Queen St united in their opposition against the
National-led Governments plans to mine conservation land and national parks.
The Sign On website stated the march was the biggest in living memory.
Organisers of the protest wrote: “We expected 20,000. We HOPED for 30,000. We got nearly double that. In the biggest
protest march in living memory, 50,000 turned out on Queen Street today to march against the Government's mining plans.
“Greenpeace ambassador Robyn Malcolm also puts it pretty good when she says: "For nearly 50,000 Kiwis to turn out and be
prepared to speak with one voice, must tell the Government something. And that something is this: we, the people of NZ
get it; we get the argument, we see what you’re up to and we won’t have it. Our land will always be more important to
our identity than some extra dollars in the pockets of mining companies.”
“Take heed, John Key and your Government. Had you been there today on Queen Street, you would have felt an energy
untapped since the heady days of anti-nuclear marches. New Zealanders have spoken; you must listen. We will not stand by
while you squander our land, reputation and climate,” the organisers stated.
Photo-Essay:
ENDS