The Auckland Council and Occupy Auckland protesters head back to Court today to plead their respective cases; TVNZ reports:
Auckland Council is going to court again today in a bid to remove Occupy Auckland protesters from Aotea Square.
The council tried to get an interim injunction last Tuesday but Judge David Wilson ruled the campaigners had not had enough time to prepare.
The council is seeks a permanent injunction to remove the protesters who have been camping in the square since October 15.
Crown prosecutor Ross Burns says that is more than enough time to get their views across.
He says to use the only decent grass space in that area is unreasonable because it means other people can't use it.
The council claims the protesters are breaking a number of by-laws and it's time the protesters' tents were removed so other members of the public can enjoy the space.
But the protesters say their fight against corporate greed is more important than a little bit of brown grass. They are questioning why the council is paying for a Crown Solicitor to represent it in court, when it could have used its own lawyers.
It's time that this mess was sorted. The protesters said they would move on after the election, but they haven't. Auckland Council has no alternative now but to get the law on its side, and evict them; by force, if that's what it takes.
Len Brown needs to show some leadership with regard to this debacle. It was his insistence on a softly softly approach when the occupation first took place that allowed the protesters to get a foot-hold on Aotea Square. We're glad we are not Auckland ratepayers; we shudder to think how many ratepayer dollars have been squandered as a result of Bown's desire not to upset his mates on the Left.
Let's hope that the council succeeds in getting an injunction today, and that it will be legally enforceable. After all, the 99.95% of Aucklanders NOT occupying Aotea Square have as much right under the Bill of Rights Act to enjoy the amenity as the 0.05% who are occupying it unlawfully.
3 comments:
I make it 0.007% :-)
I am sure Anette Sykes is itching for the police to move in. So far it has had almost zero media coverage and they are begging for attention.
I wandered past the site last night. Notable for a generator whirring away through the fence - exhaust is over passersby. Guess they're not worrying about their carbon footprint. Probably the most inefficient electricity produced last night.
Other point to note is none of the slogans/posters showed any proficiency for grammar or spelling past Year 3. When challenged by an inmate "what are you looking at?" I said "nothing". My truest statement of the night.
Really, Roger?
The other statements you made that night were less than true?
Post a Comment