Friday 19th November 2021
Page 3
THE MOTHER OF ALL PROTESTS Groundswell NZ’s protest this Sunday, November 21st, is once again a timed nationwide midday demonstration to the Government, which will bring town and country together in ‘The Mother of all Protests’. A rolling convoy of vehicles, utes and machinery plan to leave Sheffield at 12noon, heading to Christchurch via SH73. Protesters from Darfield, Kirwee, West Melton, Yaldhurst and anyone inbetween are welcome to join in as they head for the Russley Rd/ Memorial Avenue intersection, arriving at 1:30pm. Simultaneously the same will be happening from Rangiora, Leeston and Rolleston areas. While other coordinators decided to hold smaller rural town protests, as we did in July, it was decided that a rolling convoy to Christchurch via Darfield and surrounds would take our message to the city. Rural folk already understand the issues and busy seasonal work may also tie up some of our numbers on the day. To avoid crowd gatherings and Covid restrictions, people can instead banner-up their vehicle appropriately, pack a picnic lunch on wheels and make an
afternoon of it. Because of the risk of contact, we ask that everyone stays in their vehicle until we reach our destination at Memorial Ave (1:35pm). Your signage and banners will not go unnoticed through the city. While congestion may be inevitable during the driving convoy, we also ask you to keep emergency lanes clear at all times for any responding vehicles. We are well aware of numerous protests happening for various reasons lately, and while Groundswell remains committed to advocating for farmers and rural communities, Labour’s Three Water Reforms and lack of consultation with Council’s nationwide has become an issue involving every ratepayer. “Labour seems to think every idea they have is so good they make it mandatory.” The assets accumulatively funded by generations of local ratepayers (some with voluntary labour, as occurred with original stock water systems) will be effectively stolen from Councils, handed over to yet another entity of ticket-clippers, maintained by the same locals with new levels of middle-
Leaving Sheffield at 12noon, going via Darfield on SH73 and converging on Russley Rd/Memorial Ave Intersection at 1:30pm
www.groundswellnz.co.nz
management. The water won’t change, but job creation will ensure your bank account will, and so will the Councils. “We expect the Selwyn District Council to continue to stand against this takeover on our behalf, as are 61 of the 67 Councils throughout the country.” Groundswell will broadcast nationwide on Newstalk ZB (100.1FM) at 1:35pm, then effectively, the Protest finishes. Thereafter, we encourage you to support local businesses, have some lunch and do some Christmas shopping etc. We look forward to seeing all tradies and rural service industry folk join us for the afternoon and stand up for less bureaucracy and un-consulted dictatorship. Enough is Enough - Let’s Stand Together Against Unworkable Regulations and Unjustified Costs!
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Local Co-Ordinators, John Ridgen, Tom Ferguson, Derek Bull plus about a team of a dozen. To view a list of Groundswell NZ approved slogans for Protest banners and read the Protest rules visit: groundswellnz.co.nz
6 South Terrace, Darfield
P: 03 318 8201 M: 027 434 0060
