2012-01-21 - ONE NEWS - POOR TURNOUT FOR OCCUPY AUCKLAND'S 99TH DAY MARCH Video
Occupy Auckland's march up Queen Street today to celebrate their 99th day camping out was met with little support.
The 99th day holds special significance for the protesters, as they are promoting the rights of what they call "the 99%".
Organisers of the Occupy New Zealand movement said people are still behind them, despite a crowd of just 60 taking to the street.
"We are attracting first and foremost the disaffected of society, who may have mental health issus or a variety of things but, in saying that, we also have professionals, software developers, accountants and teachers," said protester Merlin Blackmore.
One protester said there are many people supporting the movement who remain "behind the scenes".
The 60 who marched today are a long way from the 2000 who protested when the global movement first reached New Zealand.
Organisers say their numbers are not dwindling, calling today's low turnout the result of poor communication within the group.
Bystander Zac Henrick said he doesn't have anything against the protesters, but the movement is losing momentum.
The protesters marched up Queen St and were welcomed at Aotea Square with karanga, whakatau and karakia by tangata whenua.
Ceremonies continued with a guest speakers' forum, the cutting of the 99% cake as well as hangi, BBQ and live music.
The Occupy movement pitched tents in Aotea Square on October 15, when members began a protest as part of a global movement demonstrating against corporate greed.
Occupy Auckland protesters moved their tents to Victoria Park on December 23, but claimed they would have a continued presence at Aotea Square.
A spokesperson for Occupy Auckland, Chris Glen, said: "Here in Auckland, protestors face imprisonment for standing up for the rights of New Zealanders, poor Glen Innes tenants face eviction from their homes so they can be sold to millionaires, while Ports of Auckland workers face the casualisation of their family life and destruction of their union to make it easier to sell the public's port to the 1%. Nationally the 1% continues their fight to control our food system through the Food Bill."
Comments on "2012-01-21 - ONE NEWS - POOR TURNOUT FOR OCCUPY AUCKLAND'S 99TH DAY MARCH"
f**k off you scum ... f**k off you scum bags Go back to school get a quantification go to uni and get a career? go f**ken work like we all have to and stop Budging off the f**ken government
Occupy is a bust ... Occupy is a bust around the world. No one really listens to them anymore. Just a bunch of misfits? grandstanding for attention.
