TPP Free Wellington - media release - coming events – immediate release.

1. Welcome “Our Children's Future Hikoi” in Wellington 11:30am Thurs, 3 November.

2. It's Our Children's Future - No Mandate for TPP - Rally & March 12pm Sat, 5 November.

Stop Press: The New Zealand Government has confirmed it intends to ram the TPP Agreement Amendment Bill's 2nd reading, debate and vote through the Parliament from 3:00-4:30pm Thursday 3 November.

This is only a few hours after the Our Children's Future Hikoi reception at Parliament, following the successful completion of their Hikoi of 400 klms from Christchurch commencing Saturday 15 October. Rachel and the Hikoi arrive at the Bluebridge ferry terminal 11:30am Thursday morning.

TPP Free Wellington's Greg Rzesniowiecki observes, “The irony is they walked 400klms here to request the Government to pause and not proceed with the TPP.”

“Come to Wellington on Thursday and be part of their last hikoi leg from Bluebridge ferry terminal to Parliament. We want all our futures secured without corporate control.”

Hikoi leader Rachel Thomas, her family and friends walked to Wellington to raise awareness. Rachel reminds us the Hikoi concerns spring from the recognition; “...that the TPP is a symptom and a symbol of a ‘profit at any cost’ mentality which is jeopardising the future for the vast majority of us, and certainly Our Children’s Future.”

That the hikoi has; “...inspired many others of us to walk to Wellington to take a message to Parliament. We want to pressure opposition parties to be in true opposition to the government and pledge to reject the TPP.”

“This hikoi aims to reignite the momentum against the TPP; to challenge opposition parties to think about what a real 21st Century trade agreement would look like, and to make rejection of the TPP an election issue.”

Saturday 5 November TPP Free Wellington invites the public to gather at Parliament for a rally and march to oppose the TPP's ratification. We will march to Civic Square for a brief rally and then onto Government House for handover of the TPP petition to the New Zealand Governor General.

TPP Free Wellington's Greg Rzesniowiecki explains the logic behind the 3 rally venues, “We commence at Parliament where the laws are made, however they are not listening as the people say No TPP.”

Greg adds, “We march to Civic Square because we were successful in bringing local government into the discussion with the TPP policy solution and now TPP Free zones, as Central Government decisions affect ourselves and our communities.”

“To cap the matter, the petition to the Governor General is about the constitutionality of the TPP, and the expectation that the head of state would honour the constitution, which is fundamentally supposed to be a democracy. We have not been asked do you want TPP?”

Greg reminds us, “Saturday 5th November is appropriate for two commemorations with major lessons for the present - firecrackers and bonfires are the modern Western remnant of the constant struggle for the control of government. We ordinary people want a government that works for our interests. How is it achieved, if the democracy is broken?”

Guy Fawkes Day - He and collaborators attempted to blow up the British House of Lords in opposition to oppressive legislation. We disavow violent action, however we note that where reason fails then more drastic measures may be adopted by those denied a share in the State's abundance - Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators are a reminder of the consequences where people are placed in desperation without other recourse.

We note that where reason fails then more drastic measures may be adopted etc. as outlined in the United States Declaration of Independence.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by 2 abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Parihaka Day is a commemoration for the peaceful stand of the Parihaka community. On November 5 1881 Parihaka resisted volunteers and constabulary of the Colonial Government, whose intention was to steal their lands. The Parihaka Community were dispersed however their non-violent direct action inspired both Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King and ourselves today.

Thinking on Mahatma Ghandi's Salt march and the Our Children's Future Hikoi reminds us that colonialism and imperialism is alive and making people's lives miserable then and now.

The commemoration of Guy Fawkes and Parihaka are relevant to the overall project to establish good governace practice which provides wellbeing for all New Zealanders.

Ends.

Welcome Our Children's Future Hikoi event: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/welcomeour-childrens-future-hikoi-wellington-tickets-28852985055

It's Our Children's Future - No Mandate for TPP - Rally & March:
https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/its-our-childrens-future-no-mandate-for-tpp-rally-marchtickets-28853322063

TPP Free Wellington:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/658556344213166/

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