More than 1000 people took part in this lively event on Saturday. (The Otago Daily Times estimates between 1 - 2000). The
march was led by bagpipes, with stilt walkers in the midst, and flags, banners,
and pickets made for a very colourful group.
Onlookers joined, workers filmed from their places of
employment, and kids rode on their parents’ shoulders, making it feel like a
very family-orientated event, also making a mockery of John Key trying to make
asset sales a family-orientated decision. There was plenty of chanting and a lively,
political atmosphere.
Pania Roa, from Mana Otepoti was the MC for the event, and gave a
solid left-wing perspective on opposition to the sales. There were
speeches from Labour, OPSA (Otago Polytech Student Association), the Greens,
Grey Power, and another from Labour then the Nurses Union.
There was an air of Nationalism in the mix, which was one of
the concerns we discussed at the last ISO branch meeting. This was not that prevalent,
but was voiced by the Greens, and Labour, talking about how money
would be finding its way off shore, and that being a main concern: we, by
contrast, see the capitalist motive towards profit and accumulation as
being the problem - capitalists in New Zealand that will buy these shares will
be just as ruthless as overseas investors. Although there was this
nationalism, good points were still made. Labour obviously felt the need to tack
left: David Parker gave a rousing speech, talking about families already
struggling to pay the power bills, and the way that privatisation of our
electricity companies will lead to higher prices.
Glenda Alexander (NZNO) also gave a rousing speech, talking
about the last time our assets were sold, and how the problems that came with
privatisation were dealt with using extra privatisation, the time she was
referring to being the privatisation of several hospitals. I commend Glenda for
her speech, as she was also representing the interests of her fellow union
members, as well as the people receiving health care.
It is good to see mass protest return to the streets of
Otepoti/Dunedin.
Joe Baird
