Protesting students and young workers face up to out of control and brutal police behavior during walkout
For immediate release
Media Release-Radical Youth
20/03/2006
Protesting students and young workers face up to out of control and brutal police behavior during walkout
Between 700 and 800 Auckland school students walked out of school today and rallied at Aotea square to send a clear message to parliament that pay discrimination is unacceptable in a twenty-first century democracy.
Radical Youth called the walkout in support of Sue Bradford’s Minimum Wage Amendment Bill. We feel the position we have taken today is consistent with New Zealand’s obligations to uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
After rallying at Aotea Square against youth rates and low pay the hundreds of school students who had turned out then marched down Queen Street, holding protest rallies outside numerous fast food outlets.
A scuffle broke out at an intersection halfway down Queen Street. Radical Youth spokesperson and Western Springs student Joseph Minto witnessed the scene unfold, “After students began to sit down in protest at an intersection, I noticed an ambulance heading rapidly towards us. Students had not noticed the ambulance, which hadn’t sounded its siren until it was dangerously close, and still showed no signs of slowing down. With ten meters to go a Radical Youth safety marshal, who had told the police he was taking personal responsibility for the demonstrators safety, attempted to slow down the rapidly advancing ambulance which was threatening the safety of marchers by putting himself in the path of the vehicle.”
The safety marshal, Omar Hamed, a seventeen-year-old Auckland University student, was subsequently arrested and assaulted by police while in their custody. He later said, “I was going to move from the road as soon as I had accounted for the safety of the other demonstrators. But the officers at the scene arrested me and took me into the backroom of a nearby Westpac bank and hit me repeatedly in the face before using a choke hold on me, even though I was passive.”
After the march had continued on towards the bottom of Queen Street more and more young people joined the demonstration but others were scared off by brutal police behavior towards young protestors. Mr. Minto said later, “Students throughout the demonstration fell victim to numerous cases of police brutality.”
“Although Radical Youth are pleased that so many students were willing to take direct action in solidarity with the poorest youth of Aotearoa we are disappointed at police behavior. As one speaker said at the rally today, “This isn’t truancy, this is activism,”” he continued.
Radical Youth will be making a formal complaint about the behavior of police today towards students exercising their democratic rights.”
Joseph Minto is available for contact on (09) 846 3173
Comments
Re: Protesting students and young workers face up to out of cont
Full solidarity and support to the young people who took Direct Action to claim there right to a better wage and their "Democratic right to protest and resist!"The Police violence is typical of a group of thugs whose sole purpose is to protect the wealth and privaledge of the corporates.The police violence is an example of what the powers that be will go to in order to keep us in line.Well done Radical Youth and all those brave young people who took part.Stand strong!
pictures and more
There were over 1000 high school students, and a representative from up to 20 different high schools spoke briefly about their experiences with youth rates and how they are fed up and sick of being exploited and discriminated against because of their age.
It was an amazing turn out and it empowered many students to act against age discrimination and corporate greed.
In Takapuna Grammar, the principal bribed the students into not striking. 500 students were about to go on strike until the principal promised in assembly that he will send 3 students to wellington to talk to members in parliament about the issue.
NO MORE YOUTH RATES
Re: Protesting students and young workers face up to out of cont
Excellent to see Radical Youth mobilize so many young people! thre Herald and the Press put the number on the Demo at 1000.
The Press also said there were two arrests, who was the other?
I really like the "From Paris to Auckland Defend Young Workers Rights" banner.
Re: Protesting students and young workers face up to out of cont
I like the placard comparing the struggle in Auckland to the struggle in Paris and around the world. The bosses and their mates in Parliament are attacking workers'rights the world over and therefore the resistance must also be global.
Re: Protesting students and young workers face up to out of cont
Fantastic effort RY! You all keep inspiring us down here...keep up the incredible work!
Re: Protesting students and young workers face up to out of cont
Go Rad Uth!
You are so cool, and a real inspiration. Just shows than anyone can get organised and start a revolution!
Re: Protesting students and young workers face up to out of cont
Great work Radical Youth!
An article in this mornings Herald said there were about 1000 students there - Awesome! It's inspiring that you can pull together so many supporters, and be really mobilising young people on this issue.
Love the "From Paris to Auckland" sign.
Big ups.
Re: Protesting students and young workers face up to out of cont
There was actually over 1000 students, from up to 20 different high schools. A representative from each school spoke briefly about youth rates and their experiences, some were paid as low as $6.20 an hour, and we were all fucking sick of being exploited and discriminated against because of our age.
Although the media portrayed us as "unruly youth" and "manipulated by the union", I think we got the message loud and clear to government that WE HATE YOUTH RATES. The media totally blew everything out of proportion, but that was expected from corporate media. They failed to mention that the two people who were arrested did not even go to high school, they were there in support. The other person was a 28-year-old and the police ripped out his arm piercings.
But can we just remember that police brutality is not the issue here, there's always going to police brutality as long as there is police. This walkout is suppose to highlight YOUTH RATES and the exploitation of young people by corporations and age discrimination from the government. Let's try not to divert from that issue because that's what mainstream media is trying to do to so the real issue here is masked beneath images of arrests and "chaotic youth" on the streets.
Re: Protesting students and young workers face up to out of cont
"But can we just remember that police brutality is not the issue here, there's always going to police brutality as long as there is police. This walkout is suppose to highlight YOUTH RATES and the exploitation of young people by corporations and age discrimination from the government"
- Really good point! A really inspiring action!
Re: Protesting students and young workers face up to out of cont
You all rule! Making me hope I can join Radical Youth when I grow up :)
Kia kaha from this side of the Tasman!
Re: Protesting students and young workers face up to out of cont
Good point mz - don't let them destroy the glory of this occasion!
TV1's coverage of the (including video):
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/684421
Re: Protesting students and young workers face up to out of cont
well done radical youth, your protest went off!! if the government cant get their act together and bring about some social justice, may the fight live on!
Re: Protesting students and young workers face up to out of cont
Radical Youth will be making a formal complaint about the behavior of police,,,,,,,,,,,,,, to who? your mummy?
learn how to use a gun or be pig fodder for life. Kiwi Pig Fodder!
Re: Protesting students and young workers face up to out of cont
Radical Youth will be making a formal complaint about the behavior of police,,,,,,,,,,,,,, to who? your mummy?
learn how to use a gun or be pig fodder for life. Kiwi Pig Fodder!
Re: Protesting students and young workers face up to out of cont
Oh, shaddup dk, no-one's interested.
Brilliant stuff, rad youth and all the young 'uns (and older 'uns, for that matter :) who got out there to support the action. Sorry you caught the hard end of the usual bullyboy police tactics...and you're right, it's always been the way...Here's to you all, and to abolition of youth rates!
Re: Protesting students and young workers face up to out of cont
Great effort Radical Youth and supported.Finally some real action from the only people that the system has not yet bought.STAND UP, SUBVERT the SYSTEM at all times, and dont let the scared sheep to silence you EVER again/
The WORLD is OURS and WE MUST TAKE IT.
END POLICE BULLSHIT and their TERRORISTS ACTIONS.They are there just to protect the Status Quo and their bosses.
KEEP FIGHTING the Struggle Must GO ON
Re: Protesting students and young workers face up to out of cont
Solidarity. Rad Youth own.