"Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed' to asphalt
The opening of the Wellington Inner City “Bypass” was delayed, as it was blockaded by protesters this morning in an action against new roads. Two people were nailed to the asphalt just before 7am at the corner of Taranaki and Arthur Streets. One person was arrested (15 cops showed up!) and was charged with obstructing a public way. “The government could save billions of dollars, and slow climate change, by making a pro-active decision to stop building new roads,” said a protestor. [ More ]
“The community here have struggled for over forty years to stop this so-called “by-pass” and we achieved a lot in terms of rescued buildings and a smaller road. The struggle is not over though. While political parties and greedy corporations squabble over who looks the greenest our global climate chaos worsens. People will not sit back and take it. The storms have come but seeds are sprouting. Expect to see more protest action!”
Some red paint was discovered on the 'bypass' under Ghuznee Street by a photographer.
Links: Heartbeat | Climate IMC | Climaction | Option3 | Earth Frist! | Earth Liberation Front | Save Happy Valley
Aotearoa Indymedia Articles:
:: 16 Dec 06 - Water bombs for Kerry P. - Protest against the 'Bypass' in Wellington ::
:: 26 Aug 05 - K Gardens Rescue ::
:: 14 Jan 05 - Building on Wellington Bypass route occupied: 11 arrested ::
:: 10 Dec 04 - Police suppress media at Anti-Bypass march ::
:: 08 Dec 04 - Creative Obstruction to Te Aro Destruction
:: 03 Dec 02 - WELLINGTON INNER CITY BY-PASS: Community garden created despite threats from Transit NZ ::
:: 05 Sept 02 - WELLINGTON BYPASS: Bar Bodega's Close Met with Plantings and Protest
:: 02 Sept 02 - GROWING COMMUNITIES: Tonks Ave Garden Party ::
Photos: slm
Comments
Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed'
super neat excellent!! yay!!
Re: Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nail
fuckin awsome, keep up the great work : - )
Re: Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nail
fuckin awsome, keep up the great work : - )
Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed'
funny how in the first pic it shows the street blocked off and in the top right you see a sign saying "use new route"
good work
Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed'
Love your work. Great stuff indeed. Only wish you'd told a few more people so we could come down and support you.
Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed'
Excellent stuff. Let us know about court support. Biff
Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed'
also passin on congrats - but also curious as to the 'nail' method used, its a new one on me and wondering just how strongly you were attached to the road - how long did it take the cops to move you? Was it more of a photo op (which is cool!) or is there a technique you can share here??
Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed'
Actually the nails were not very good, and only held the protesters down if they were VERY still. We used approx. 1.5 inch galvanised nails which were very hard to nail into the ashphalt, at least for a non-chippy, and they kept bending. If I had to do it again I would use 6 inch non galvanised nails and a decent hammer. I couldn't see the need for galvanising. The nails were not going to rust off in the half hour or so the protesters were allowed to stay on the road.
I am not sure if police carry a claw hammer or jemmy, but if not, then then some decent nailing might have delayed the traffic until they could get one from the cop shop.
Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed'
Wonderful stuff - and great message. Did anyone have video?
Respect
Roland
Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed'
We tried the nails on another bit of asphalt that was newer and the nails went in really easily. The asphalt on arthur street was a bit older and compacted. Live and learn.
I think the galvanised nails were just ones they found and not specifically chosen for that reason.
And yeah it was more a photo stunt in order to get our voices heard... and it worked ;o)
Yay.
Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed'
oh and yip there's video, which TV3 used and TV1 too but they had to pay us heheh. Funnily enough TV1 did a better story, from our perspective ;o)
The video might be posted up soon.
Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed'
Damn fine use of resources- the pressure this placed on the system (and the inspirational effect) far outweighed the resources and effort used- great guerrilla tactics.
All the best for the court case.
Duncan
Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed'
Let's paint the Bypass!
and the green traffic lights...
'Reclaim the Streets' parties ahhhh.....
5:30pm Critical Mass ride leaves Civic Square this afternoon. All Welcome!
Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed'
Solidarity.
Already the traffic is backed up Taranaki Street to the High School lights in non-rush hour and it's a quiet time of year. After the holidays we'll see the complete fiasco that this piece of road is.
Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed'
Awesome, kia kaha and great work to this crew and their supporters. Great to see action and people fighting back. Creative, expressive, resistance. Fabulous stuff.
Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed'
Hi guys,
The videos on this page: http://tvnz.co.nz/view/news_index_skin/news_index_group ("Activists protest bypass opening (1:43)")
Great that you got publicity.
A bit of planning (talk to some of those animal lib peops) and you could block the road for a considerable longer period of time. Nails aren't the best for any road (even if they go in easy, they come out easy.) Good placards make a big different when you get telly coverage too - great to see some different peops on the telly too!
Joe
Re: Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nail
Direct Link to the News Item
Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed'
The plan was never to block it for too long, it was more about just being a media-stunt. But yeah, there are plenty of ways to block roads for extended periods of time - lots can be learnt from forest campaigns in Australia and the USA, and from anti-roading campaigns in the UK, too.
Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed'
how about making potholes? can you make a small hole then put a fire hose down it to speed up the erosion?
Re: Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nail
Sure you can. Try it and let me know how it goes.
Re: "Calm the Climate – No More Roads!" say protesters 'nailed'
you guys are such fucking freaks!! eco-terrorism is a serious issues. why dont you people live your lives the way you live them, and leave our cars, houses, and businesses alone!!! and mind your fucking business. by the way, Jeff Luers got what he fucking desearved.