Occupy Wellington spread their love to All Black fans

Seventeen year-old face painter Joshua Brucker wasn’t a rugby fan until he got involved with protesting at Occupy Wellington.

“It’s definitely because of the proximity [to the fanzone],” he says.

Occupy Wellington, which is part of the international movement protesting against capitalist excesses, set up tents Saturday-week ago.

From the start, occupiers have been uniquely situated in the thick of Cup fever, with their tents opposite Weta Workshop’s Rugby World Cup Celebration statue.

Today representatives from the camp offered complimentary face painting, hot and cold drinks and food for free at today’s victory parade.

Many supporters of Occupy created placards championing both the All Blacks and their cause, with the biggest being a banner hanging from the nearby City to Sea bridge.

They included Alex Hardiman who struggled against being swallowed by the crowd with his hand-drawn “Occupy Welly Support the All Blacks- the team not the brand” banner

Joshua says the official fanzone attracted a number of occupiers on finals night. The camp does not have a television.

“Quite a few of us went down to the fanzone, a few stayed behind for security.

It’s great, just the atmosphere around here.”

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ENDS

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