The “Hack Circle” is an area of City/Cashel Mall where youth gather and is one of the contentious parts of the CCC's plans to “revitalise”City Mall. Another area of contention is High St., where it is planned to put a road back into this pedestrian only space.
There has been a business group “appointed” to manage the area{Central City Business Association/City Mall Business Steering Commitee}, essentially privatising public space. Anthony Gough {a CHCH property developer} chairs this business group and has been quoted as saying that youth crime is out of control and that more security is needed to help make the shopper feel safe {some other members of this group include business owner Richard Ballantyne(Managing Director of Ballantyne) and property developer Dave Henderson}. There has been an increase in policing of this space with Police recently announcing a strategy to target youth, particularly in this area. There has been a scapegoating of youth by CCC and business for the 'perceived' lack of commercial activity. Increased private security and Police presence has seen the number of youth threatened and intimidated by authorities rise, with reports of regular harassment and arrests for questionable offences ranging from wearing of “colours”to using the word “fuck”.
Students from Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti High School, which has City Mall as part of it's campus, occupied the space on Friday and set up static displays informing the public of what is planned and what their thoughts about this were. Loss of public space and concerns about the introduction of regular vehicle traffic were two key points made. They plan to gather every Friday lunchtime to continue informing the public about the “revitalisation”plans and what it really means for the people of Christchurch.
Food NOT Bombs will continue to support this with lunchtime meals. Discussion circles, workshops and live entertainment are also planned.