New Zealand activists first in world to celebrate May Day 2000
Press Release
New Zealand activists first in world to celebrate May Day 2000
London, June 18, 1999 – Millions of pounds worth of damage caused by anti-capitalist demonstrators in London’s financial
district.
Seattle, November 30, 1999 – Police turn violent as thousands of protestors disrupt WTO meeting.
New Zealand, May 1, 2000 – ??
In a departure from the boring old, union-dominated May Day commemorations of the past, activists around New Zealand are
busy gearing up for a day of celebration and protest on May 1, 2000. A variety of events – from pickets and processions
to concerts and publicity stunts – are being organised by groups in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and
Dunedin to mark May Day 2000, which has been designated a Global Day of Action against Capitalism by the People’s Global
Action (PGA) network.
May Day 2000 – or M1 – is the third such event in the space of a year, and follows on from the success of two previous
days of action in 1999, known as J18 (June 18) and N30 (November 30). These events saw a diverse range of groups and
individuals – including labour unions, environmental groups and anarchists – join together to express their opposition
to the global capitalist system.
New Zealand groups are aware that they will be the first in the world to celebrate the first May Day of the new
millennium, and are eager to start the day off with a bang. Some of these activists are in touch with groups overseas
via the Internet, and local events are also being coordinated via a website:
http://www.angelfire.com/wv/nzmayday2k/NZMayDay2000.html
For more information and details of local events, check the website or contact the national coordinator at e-mail
nzmayday2k@hotmail.com or phone 025-201-4280.