:: sigh ::

the other Julian

"I create nothing. I own"

Julian? Pistorius made a showing?

Thankyou Paul! I read your report with great interest.

MikeE's has just come up too, and is also fantastic...

Today we had conservatives and liberals, left and right, maori and pakeha, anarchists and statists marching side by side in disgust at the EFB. Some might claim that this is a National and ACT thing. It wasn't, I spotted: National, Act, Labour, Socialist Workers, Free Palestine, Maori Soveriegnty movement, Tuhoe Anti Terror bill protestors, War Veterans, Mothers, Accountants, Lawyers, Students, Anarchists, Businessmen and women all marching against this disgusting piece of legislation. They will not stop, this bill will will be the end of those politically who support it.
(and not a word to say about the White and the normal)

Sounds like a damn carnival!
Patriots are doing their bit. Go Kiwi!

Well that went well didn't it. I managed to get in between the conservatives and anarchists preventing a bit of a scuffle. Went bloody well, event had some fun with the church of scientology!

www.mikee.co.nz

I thought it was jolly splendid.

A joy to see so many White 'normal' people in one place for a change...although I wish the Constabulary had removed from our midst the ignorant rabble on the Pro-Terrorism march...(Keith Holyoake would never have allowed such a thing, but, gosh, there we are)

I, too, was a first time participant in a protest march...(although years and years younger than the other 4999 marchers in the 40 - 60 age group)...and greatly enjoyed the occasion, although highly amused that it was the Family First chap who 'connected' with the crowd

Coverage on One News was positive and encouraging.

I was also fortunate to meet in person Sandi and Julian who both seem splendid chaps.

Was great fun to have a drinkie with everybody afterwards..(that ACT on Campus chap is soooo yummy isn't he? lol)... and shall see you all again on Monday!

"I create nothing. I own"

(Sigh, if only I had put the battery back in the camera after recharging it)

Auckland CBD was buzzing with activity today. As I arrived at the top of Queen street a group of Maoris were busy protesting against the Anti Terrorism Bill.

Once they had their thing the roads opened for a bit and then were closed again for the Hare chrisna I think it was. Anyway a whole bunch of rather happy people pulling a huge float up queen street using a big rope.

Once they had their bit of attention it was our turn. Never realised it could get so busy in Queenstreet with parades and protests.

As a first-time protester, I was reluctant to get right in the midst of the action. But the crowds grew rapidly. I sort of half expected plenty of trouble makers and students to be amongst the crowd but instead the big majority were your core New Zealanders. Mature hardworking people aged between 40 and 60. I was rather surprised and I chatted to many people where I discovered I was not the only first time protester. In fact everyone I spoke to did this for the first time. The Maori protesters joined with us and so we set off down Queen-street.

I think this is significant that people of 40 years and up decide that enough is enough and go on their first protest march. Police estimated there were about 5000 people present. I was in the back of the pack and the protest march managed to stretch the length of queen street.

Interesting exercise as it turned out that those people I spoke to were your typical socialists. Many had voted for Labour (But never again).

At the end the organiser had his speech and made clear that this was a non political protest and therefore no politicians were allowed to speak. Indeed not political because I met people with a wide range of political preferences.

There were some people trying to disturb the speakers but the PA they had for the speeches was powerful enough to drown them out. Not sure who they were. At the end there was a show of hands of those who marched in a protest for the first time. From were I was standing that seemed to be just about everyone. Amazing.

So, there is my first protest march. I am very glad I joined it. I was very pleased with the caliber of people that joined this march. I can only hope that this march gets as much air time as Beckham.

Carbon Tax is a hoax. Read more at the re-newed carbonhoax.org.nz and spread the word.

heard correctly, except it is the British Labour Party....major scandal! ...(and as things stand at the moment, this could bring down Brown)

"I create nothing. I own"

On my way home I vaguely heard on the radio something about a developer paying 1.4 million to Labour for the election campaign in undeclared funds via several middlemen.

I can't find any on-line info on it. Did anyone pick this up?

Carbon Tax is a hoax. Read more at the re-newed carbonhoax.org.nz and spread the word.

Information about the march is pathetic but this is what I gather. 

Auckland proytest macht against the EFB

When: Sat  1 Dec 2007  2:00pm  (14:00)

Where: Auckland CBD, Queen street at the townhall (Near IMAX)

What: Be heard. 

Carbon Tax is a hoax. Read more at the re-newed carbonhoax.org.nz and spread the word.

Glad you made it.
We'll sort better logistics next time.

No way, up to 300 for sure.

Lets get together sooner than that. Got a podcast that needs more input.

Winston's effigy was along, but stayed in the van. Mr Boscawen doesn't like that sort of thing but missed it in Auckland and didn't get to have a say in Wellington.
If he appears on Saturday I know some people who want to make sure he gets fired- Winston barely escaped Auckland without getting singed last time.

Given this, I don't see how we change anything.

We're not trying hard enough.
It's called advocasy and it is absent. Several folk I spoke to only just found out about the march hours before.

When I hear people aren't getting the message, Mark, it makes me want to try harder not less. I hope you still plan to express your views. Got to make it something the average Kiwi brain can latch on to.

Well this wasn't supposed to happen, after many hours to think on the march, I'm feeling more depressed than ever about the state of things. The march pushed home for me the fact that we can't stop this damned Bill, as bad and as evil as it is, and it did so not just because there were only 150 people there (being generous, I suspect, Rick?), but also because of the two contacts I had before leaving for it; the first from a financial planner who was over in Banks Peninsula, and thus called wanting to drop in and who admitted, after I told him I was just on the way to the march, that he did not know what the EFB was, and the second, an email from a client with a query, which I sent back saying I'd look at it this evening after the march against the EFB, to again receive the reply, what was the EFB? She'd heard of it, just didn't 'really know what it was all about'.

Two intelligent business people.

Given this, I don't see how we change anything.

Might feel different after three espressos in the morning, but probably won't.

Yes, I'm there Dark glasses, white t-shirt (shabby in other words) below the fight fascism sign.

Good to shake your hand Rick ... we must arrange a local event, perhaps at my place over at Diamond Harbour in the Summer?

Protest an interesting experience, wish there'd been more people though - about 150 in my estimate. Will write further on it, but my problem is at this time of year I take two hours off and it takes three to catch up. I'll get back to it later.

But a big hope there are huge numbers on the streets in Auckland this Saturday.

(Sorry Linz, no effigies). 

I didn't catch Soloist Ben Morgan. Wonder if he made it?

In photo above...
L2R:
Scott Carnie, Act On Campus Canterbury: Red shirt, clapping

Trevor Loudon, ACT VP: 3 deep behind the Family First kid

Mark Hubbard, Sense of Life Objectivists: Sunnies, behind other FF kid

Peter McCaffrey, Act On Campus Wellington: With the camera

Here's a good shot with 4 people I know in it, including Mark.

Facebook larger version- if that works

We did well. Bloody good.
Will write much more soon.

if you see a television camera pointing at you, hold up a placard with 'SOLOPASSION.COM' in large letters on it...a free advertising message for the website!

"I create nothing. I own"

In the absence of your rottweiler or whatever it is, be sure to carry a KASS placard. You may have to make your own, since this crowd are rather wimpy. Burn Clark and Cullen in effigy or something!

Right, it takes me a while to get into Chch, so I’m starting on my way to the march: I hope the dearth of posts to this thread is not going to be indicative of how many people there.

I’ll be busy when I get back, trying to catch up work, but will try and give a brief report … no doubt Rick will fill in the gaps.

Leighton Smith, on NewsTalkZB, has just mentioned the second Auckland march on the radio, so I've emailed him to remind him of the Chch march today: hopefully he'll read it out.

Just me Rick. Pauline has something else she has to do, and the dog (a country dog) would hate the march as all the people, (given there's going to be so many of them), and especially the traffic,  would freak her out. Probably wouldn't do the Cause much good to have a terrified Great Dane going beserk through inner Chch and capturing all the camera attention.

Oh come on! It'll be good exercise for the dog and good poetry for the situation.

May just be me minus the dog and the Mrs by the look of it.

We're stuck to the footpaths! Do we have to wait for the walk signs at the lights as well. (Definitely glad I've been giving Bob Parker a hard time over email lately). 

Looks like the rain will clear for a great day for freedom tomorrow.

I got to hang out with the organisers today and we scoped out the landscape. We may take a jaunt rather than the more direct "100m" (which is 200m, I say again) route depending on conditions.

We made sure John Boscawen has a place to stay tonight (flying in to Wellington on the day didn't work out so well last week) and also popped along to ChCh City Council to confirm that we're sweet.
(Harder process to deal with in Christchurch. And we have to stick to the footpath!)

Expecting some Nats and ACT party members along. Also some Christian activists, I hope. The 'smacking people' should be along again, especially as they're based here in Christchurch.

Looking forward to seeing SOLOists Mark Hubbard and crew, and Ben Morgan.

Winston Peters will be marching once again.

Nice big advertisement in The Press today, and many radio adverts on ZB, Rhema, and Radio Live.

Should come away with some photos and some clips for Youtube via the ACT On Campus folk.

Anybody else thinking of coming, please be encouraged! There are plenty of placards waiting for eager hands.

Be good to see you there, Mark.

A very large dog would be fitting symbolism for the legislation under consideration. If you have access to an ass, bring it.

Despite severe time constraints, (and I mean severe as in struggling desperately with work deadlines given a six day business trip from Thursday, which was only supposed to be two days) I'm still planning to be there, indeed, looks like Pauline is wanting to go, so it will be two adults and one Great Dane (which can't be left home alone as she has a predeliction toward destroying the house).

That's the dog, not the wife, re destroying the house, by the way.

is it showing?

It does not appear on my screen for some reason..gosh...silly computer!

Spokesman on Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms...hmmmmm....now there is an idea

"I create nothing. I own"

... do rather tend to be sedate, what?

Love the ciggy, Eli. Gosh, I'd appoint you Spokesman for the Promotion of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Meat-Eating, only the Clueless Clucks Clan from Clutha would be burning you at the stake before you could say "baying hyenas."

Did I read it correctly somewhere that there will also be another march in Auckland on 1 Dec ?

If so, does anyone know where to find more info on that?

Carbon Tax is a hoax. Read more at carbonhoax.org.nz and spread the word.

It's at least 200! Even so, our protest will be measured by how much vigilance we can summon on the day, not measured in meters.

Square to Cathedral Square ..100 metres ...gosh..stilly chuckling to myself about that