2012-01-31 - ONE NEWS - PROTESTERS RE-OCCUPY WELLINGTON

Occupy Wellington protesters have put tents back up in Civic Square, following an eviction this morning.

At 6.30am this morning about 20 police, flanked by council security guards moved in on the protesters at the Civic Square.

The protesters were given a verbal eviction notice and were given 30 minutes to move on.

Protesters removed most of their things at this time.

ONE News reporter Lucas de Jong said since then 10 protesters have returned.

He said a short time ago council staff arrived with fences to try and fence off the area but have since left.

Police said they will arrive at the camp later today, but until then protesters will be allowed to stay on the site.

One protester told ONE News he will remain at the camp until he is arrested.

Wendy Walker, the council's director of citizen engagement, says the council will always support the right of people to protest, but not when it results in public land being damaged and taken away from use by the general public.

"The council has been reasonable with the campers throughout this process but the occupation became a way of life. Camping on this site is in direct breach of council's bylaw and could not continue indefinitely."

Acting Mayor Ian McKinnon says the protesters have been using the area for 108 days and it causing considerable damage.

"Council officers have tried on a number of occasions to negotiate with the protesters but without success. It is certainly now time this area was once again available to all Wellingtonians."

He said temporary fencing will be put around the site in an attempt to stop protesters.

Earlier Wellington City Council rejected Occupy protesters' requests to stay in the city.

Protesters were seeking permission to stay next to the City to Sea Bridge until July 4, and also asked the council to supply them with a building in the central city for occupation.

However, in a letter sent to the group last week, council chief executive Garry Poole rejected all requests and demanded Occupy Wellington must pack up and go, or they will enforce the bylaw by whatever means possible to evict them.

SOURCE: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/protesters-re-occupy-wellington-4707712

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• OWS
• Occupy NZ
• Occupy New Zealand
• Occupy Wellington
• Occupy Civic Square
• Eviction
• Trevor Paul
• Return