80 people joined the "Protest is not Terrorism protest in Cathedral Square.

We'll be there again at noon on Saturday.

David

Protest is not ‘terrorism’

Monday’s aggressive police raids against political activists are an attempt to smear critics of government policy with the “terrorist” label.

This is both appalling and ridiculous.

From Parihaka to the 1951 Lockout, from the anti-nuclear campaign to the GE Free movement, every great movement for peace, workers’ rights, social justice or environmental sustainability in our history has organized civil disobedience or other “illegal” protest to make its point. Every one of these movements organized actions which could be branded “terrorist” under the current legislation.

As concerned citizens, as campaigners for human rights and social justice, and as friends and colleagues of those seized by police we are united in solidarity with those under attack and in defense of the democratic right to protest.

We are throwing the “terrorist” label back in the faces of the government which supports Bush’s terrorist war in Afghanistan and trades with the terrorist dictatorship in Burma.

Join us in Cathedral Square
5pm today, Tuesday October 16, and
12 noon, Saturday October 20

Contact: David Colyer: colyer(AT)pl.net, 0210462011