'Occupy' movement reaches New Zealand

[nitpicker1]

meanwhile the Dunedin protestors wont leave

...  so the city council adds to the chaos

http://xtranewscommunity2.smfforfree.com/index.php/topic,476.0/msg,121324.html



'Occupy' Dunedin protestors won't leave
Published: 5:11AM Wednesday November 02, 2011 Source: ONE News

Occupy Dunedin protesters have not budged overnight and say they will not leave the Octagon despite being served with a trespass notice by the Dunedin City Council.

The anti-corporate greed protesters have been camping in the Octagon since October 15 and were given until 8pm last night to leave, though people remained in area past the deadline.

But the occupiers say they will not budge and called on Dunedin residents to join them.

"We invite you all to join us in forming the ring around the Octagon to tell the council that the Octagon belongs to the people of Dunedin and remind them that they are in breach of the Bill of Rights Act, which a bylaw should not exceed," a statement from the group said.

Occupy Dunedin spokesperson Andy Tait said the group has the support of most Dunedin residents.

"We have caused no harm, and have created an open forum for discussion in the heart of the city," he said.

Another protester Vincent Antony said there were about a hundred people at the Octagon after news spread that the trespass notice had been served.

He said they would not move overnight.

Antony says they have been liasing with police who say they have no plans on acting immediately because it is a council issue.

The protesters face fines of up to a $1000 or up to three months in prison if they refuse to leave.

The council has withdrawn its offer of Market Reserve as an alternative camping spot for the protesters.

Nationwide occupations

Occupations throughout New Zealand have rallied in defence of Occupy Dunedin.

Occupy Auckland protesters, who have been in Aotea Square since 15 October, said they planned to march on Auckland Central Police Station in support of Occupy Dunedin.

Joe Carolan, one of the organisers of the occupation of Aotea Square last month, expressed his astonishment at the proposed eviction.

"We are calling for all supporters of Occupy Dunedin to join us to defend the right to peacefully assemble and to object to the gross inequalities that surround us every day."

"Keep it up everyone, solidarity from Occupy Otautahi Christchurch! We are with you," Regan Stokes posted on the Ocuppy Dunedin Facebook page.

Occupy Christchurch made a complaint to the Dunedin City Council over the eviction.

"Kia Ora. I am a member of the public of Aotearoa New Zealand who pays taxes for the upkeep and maintenance of public assets and city council properties. I support the Occupy Dunedin peaceful protest, and ask the council not to evict the occupiers from this public space," the group's complaint read.

With only weeks to an election, Labour leader Phil Goff yesterday expressed the concern he shares with the Occupy movement about the "greed and recklessness of the corporate world".

Recent eviction attempts in Oakland, California and closer to home in Melbourne, turned violent and have led to accusations of police brutality.

A member of Occupy Oakland gave her support to Dunedin last night on their Facebook page.

"Hey, folks! Lauren from Occupy Oakland here, just sending out a message of love and solidarity. Keep fighting the good fight! We're proud of you, we love you, and we're holding you in our hearts!"

- with Newstalk ZB

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/occupy-dunedin-protestors-won-t-leave-4496780 

[sickofpollies]

Given the sanitation problems overseas, I'm surprised they couldn't use that excuse to close them down (fearing an outbreak of dysentery and all that).

[Newtown-Fella]

[nitpicker1]

Given the sanitation problems overseas, I'm surprised they couldn't use that excuse to close them down (fearing an outbreak of dysentery and all that).

dunno if they have portaloos, SOP, but there are plenty of public toilets in that area, and in many others that the protestors could relocate to if they are disposessed from the current site.   

http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/facilities/public-toilets 

The last night's rain seems to have seen a couple more tents change positions  and the webcam is back in action after a wipeout overnight.  http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council-online/webcams/octagon



I feel a one-woman reconnoitering expedition coming on.   

[Newtown-Fella]

'Occupy Dunedin' offered long-term space

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull has offered Occupy Dunedin protesters long-term space in the Octagon in a last ditch effort to remove them from the site.

The protesters have created a tent city in the Octagon in sympathy with the US Occupy Wall St movement and have refused to move.

Cull today sent a letter which began "Dear Occupy Dunedin protesters", suggesting the bulk of the protesters' tents be removed.

"Council could allow the long-term placement of an Occupy Dunedin information kiosk and one symbolic tent in the Octagon at a site to be agreed," the letter said.

The Dunedin City Council (DCC) issued a trespass notice Tuesday. However, that has not as yet been enforced by Police who appear to be taking a softly, softly approach to the matter.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5904353/Occupy-Dunedin-offered-long-term-space


OCCUPY DUNEDIN protesters have been offered permanent space for one symbolic tent if they remove the rest.

[nitpicker1]

The full story...Occupy Melbourne challenges eviction in court
Liz Hobday reported this story on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 08:21:00
TONY EASTLEY: The Occupy Melbourne protest group has launched a case in the Federal Court challenging the Melbourne City Council's efforts to break up its demonstrations.

About 100 people were arrested during violent clashes when police broke up the Occupy movement protest in the City Square last month.

Liz Hobday reports....
at
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2011/s3359779.htm


related stories on the site

gossip has it that Dunedin City Council is waiting for the results of the Melbourne court proceedings

[Newtown-Fella]

The full story...Occupy Melbourne challenges eviction in court
Liz Hobday reported this story on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 08:21:00
TONY EASTLEY: The Occupy Melbourne protest group has launched a case in the Federal Court challenging the Melbourne City Council's efforts to break up its demonstrations.

About 100 people were arrested during violent clashes when police broke up the Occupy movement protest in the City Square last month.

Liz Hobday reports....
at
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2011/s3359779.htm


related stories on the site

gossip has it that Dunedin City Council is waiting for the results of the Melbourne court proceedings

and who is funding their court action ?

lawyers arent cheap !

after all they are the 99% POOR !!!!!

[nitpicker1]

The full story...Occupy Melbourne challenges eviction in court
Liz Hobday reported this story on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 08:21:00
TONY EASTLEY: The Occupy Melbourne protest group has launched a case in the Federal Court challenging the Melbourne City Council's efforts to break up its demonstrations.

About 100 people were arrested during violent clashes when police broke up the Occupy movement protest in the City Square last month.

Liz Hobday reports....
at
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2011/s3359779.htm


related stories on the site

gossip has it that Dunedin City Council is waiting for the results of the Melbourne court proceedings

and who is funding their court action ?

lawyers arent cheap !

after all they are the 99% POOR !!!!!

read the linked story - or listen to it.  If ya can't read, just click play.

meanwhile listen to this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ_wws7-aaE&feature=share

 

[sickofpollies]

You're quoting David Suzuki? He who is of the same ilk as Paul Ehrlich and John Holdren? Suzuki, like Ehrlich and Holdren are infamous for being wrong. In fact their expertise is being wrong.

[nitpicker1]

Police refuse to evict Dunedin Occupy protesters
By Chris Morris of the Otago Daily Times
9:52 AM Wednesday Nov 9, 2011

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull says he is "completely at a loss" after police yesterday ruled out enforcing trespass notices that would have forced Occupy Dunedin protesters to quit their Octagon encampment

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10764789

Private security considered to evict Dunedin protestors
By Paul Harper and Otago Daily Times staff
3:26 PM Wednesday Nov 9, 2011

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull says he has not ruled out using private security guards to evict the Occupy Dunedin protesters, as the city council looks for "urgent clarification'' on its legal position.

Mr Cull said yesterday he was "completely at a loss'' after police ruled out enforcing trespass notices that would have forced the protesters to quit their Octagon encampment.

Dunedin-Clutha area commander Inspector Greg Sparrow confirmed police would not act on the trespass notices issued to the protesters by council staff last week.

Mr Cull said yesterday there was an "overwhelming'' message from the community it wanted the protesters gone.

The police response had national implications for the rule of law, and he said he would be surprised if the police decision had not been made at a national level.

Mr Cull said the council was confident of its legal position, that the breach of council bylaws meant the protesters were not protesting legally, and had to go.

"They seem to be determined to punish the community,'' Mr Cull said of the protesters.

But legal experts have commended the police decision not to evict Occupy Octagon protesters, despite last week's trespass notices.

The Dunedin City Council issued trespass notices on the protesters, who took up camp on October 15, however after considering their legal position for the past week, police have opted not to enforces the notices.

Otago University law professor Andrew Geddis was not surprised by the police decision.

"The particular notices that council gave were very light on specifics as to why it was actually necessary or why council regarded it as necessary to move them on," he said.

"Effectively it said that the protesters were in breach of a camping bylaw, but just because a protest breaches a bylaw doesn't take it out from underneath the umbrella of the Bill of Rights Act.

"A bylaw in itself doesn't stop protest."

Mr Geddis said the other reason the protesters were told they had to go was because they were interfering with the rights of others to use the upper Octagon.

"It didn't really specify how or why interference was occurring. They didn't say 'this particular group wants to use the Octagon and they can't because you are there', or 'this person has tried to walk through the Octagon but you have to stopped them'."

Mr Geddis said the occupation could continue for as long as until it became "unreasonable".

"At some point you have to think, yes, the sheer length of time a protest has gone on renders it unreasonable. The longer it goes on the more likely it is that it will start interfering with other uses of the upper Octagon."

"Once those sorts of impacts start to happen then there is more likely to be grounds for the council to have a good reason to want them to move on and then the police are more likely to be prepared to take action."

However, Mr Geddis said the council does have other options to remove the protestors.

"The Octagon where the protests is a reserve. The council could seek a court order under the Reserves Act to try to force the protesters to move on.

"If they got that court order then the police would act to enforce that. That of course requires the council to fund its court case."

Mr Geddis believed the trespass notices were a way to shift the problem to the police and have them pay for the action.

"Now the council is faced [with the question] do they want a costly court process, already given the fact that Dunedin's coffers are empty and we are facing reasonable rate increases? Is this really an issue that is worth spending money on?"

Mr Geddis said police were acting in a "cautious and commendable manner" by not enforcing the trespass notices.

"I think the police have taken on board messages they've been sent from both the courts about other forms of protest in the past, and also messages they were sent by Parliament's Justice and Electoral Committee, with regards to protests against the Chinese Premier in 2000, where it has been indicated to them that protest does need to be given a higher priority or be treated more seriously.

"I think what the police have thought is until the council can give a much better reason for wanting rid of the protesters that goes beyond simply 'we think they've been there long enough and we are a bit annoyed with them', that's not good enough to stop people carrying our a protest that is guaranteed under the Bill of Rights Act."

The chairperson of the Human Rights Foundation of Aotearoa New Zealand, lawyer Tim McBride, also commended the actions of the police.

"Good on the police for taking this approach and not just acting as a rubber stamp for a local authority," he said. "Ongoing protest is a very important and valuable form of protest action in terms of bringing the message to people."

Mr McBride believed previous protest cases, such as that of Valerie Morse - who had a 2007 flag burning conviction quashed by the Supreme Court earlier this year, may have influenced the decision.

"I think that being in the background would have been an influence, at least for the time being, to back off from trying to enforce this trespass order."

Mr McBride said police now better understand the importance of protest as a human right.

"The new Policing Act [2008] explicitly refers to the importance of human rights. It's right there in lights and there was nothing in the previous legislation that made any reference to it."

By Paul Harper and Otago Daily Times staff

 
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10764842


Dave Cull now denies an intention to call on private security firms to remove the protestors



Footnote:

from

Bill makes it easier to enforce camping bylaw
Home » News » Dunedin
By Chris Morris on Tue, 23 Aug 2011

...The Dunedin City Council's freedom camping bylaw was adopted in June, took effect on July 4, and last week was given sharper teeth with the passing of the Freedom Camping Bill.

Council reserves policy and planning officer Dolina Lee yesterday said the bylaw and Bill worked together, with the Bill making the bylaw's enforcement easier and more cost-effective for the council.

The council bylaw allowed campervans with self-contained toilet facilities to camp overnight on sealed areas of reserves and other public land, but not grassed areas, within Dunedin.

No more than two vehicles were allowed to camp within 50m of each other, and for no more than two nights in the same location, she said. ...

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/174616/bill-makes-it-easier-enforce-camping-bylaw

and DCC does NOT enforce that bylaw

[nitpicker1]

Occupy Melbourne protesters mock Lord Mayor Robert Doyle on Twitter
 Herald Sun - 5 hours ago

... the impersonator declares that Cr Doyle is evicting protesters from Treasury Gardens because he cannot watch the action from his Town Hall balcony. 
 
‎http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/occupy-melbourne-protesters-mock-lord-mayor-robert-doyle-on-twitter/story-fn7x8me2-1226193565708


 why Dunedin's Mayor Cull wants his gone:   He CAN see his!
 
                                                         

[nitpicker1]

From property guru to protester
Home » News » Dunedin
By Hamish McNeilly on Sun, 13 Nov 2011
News: Dunedin | Occupy protest | Octagon

A former millionaire property guru who once lived in the plush Auckland suburb of Herne Bay has more recently been living in a tent in Dunedin's Octagon - and he could not be happier.

"This is my new occupation," Kieran Trass told the Otago Daily Times, from near his makeshift residence of the past few weeks.

The 49-year-old said he was down to "the last of my resources" and detached from his previous life as a banking and property high-flier.

When we talked, he had barely slept since pitching his tent at the Octagon, but despite the sleepless nights and threat of eviction by the Dunedin City Council, he remained committed to Occupy Dunedin and occupying the Octagon.

In 1981, Mr Trass began working as a mailboy with the Bank of New South Wales, and in less than a decade was in a management position with a dozen managers under him.


His curriculum vitae boasts work experience at Nathan Finance, UDC and CitiBank, where he gained experience in mortgage lending and corporate banking.

In 1996, he left the industry and set up the country's first online mortgage brokers, and still retained an interest in the company.

By the mid-1990s, he had a dozen start-up companies, including the property consultancy Hybrid Group, a property trading company, a building company, and a legal practice.

"I just don't put the dollar before people. People always told me I earned less than I should have, because I was about adding value and I believe that value would come back to me in one way or another."

Mr Trass said he was making a lot of money but would plough the proceeds back into the businesses.

He also began researching the property cycle and published five books on the topic, including Grow Rich with the Property Cycle and The Housing Bubble, both published by Penguin.

His knowledge of property cycles saw him give advice to mum and dad investors, appear on shows such as Campbell Live as a property commentator, and travel further afield to analyse property cycles overseas.

In 2007, "before the world turned", he increased his exposure to property, and coupled with his businesses shrinking ended up losing hundreds of thousands of dollars, and "I haven't recovered".

Mr Trass said his property advice would have made a lot of people a lot of money, and was proud not to leave "a trail of destruction behind me like everyone else seems to have in the industry".

"My attitude was people before profit which is why I never sold sections in Fiji, and all these other wacky deals these other guys were promoting."

He does not regret any decision he made in business, and while taking losses was painful "I would not change a thing".

From living in a waterfront property in Herne Bay he headed to pre-earthquake Christchurch to take mentoring classes while finance companies began collapsing around the country.

He took particular interest in the case of South Canterbury Finance and even spent time talking to Allan Hubbard and investigating why the company collapsed.

"It should never have gone under," he alleges.

"This was a massive epiphany for me, because suddenly I realised people in power were abusing that power against someone who I consider to be one of the most honourable men."

He also became exasperated because financial advisers were now regulated by the same people who were involved with South Canterbury, and "I am now considering whether I stay in business or not".

When Mr Trass moved to Dunedin with his partner they both watched the occupation of Wall Street unfold, and "we recognised it as a valid concept and movement".

He had endured a love-hate relationship with the movement since pitching his tent in the Octagon - hating the infrequent sleep, but loving the community interaction.

"People sometimes drive past and go 'get a job, you losers' but they have no idea."

Asked if the "occupy" movement was making a difference, Mr Trass replied "I know we are making a difference".

The man who made a name for himself picking property cycles is now predicting the collapse of the banking system, as "it is gasping its last breath".

"When the banks collapse, who owes who what?"

- hamish.mcneilly@odt.co.nz

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/186222/property-guru-protester?page=0%2C1

meanwhile, today .. http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council-online/webcams/octagon  ?

And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares that infest the day
Shall fold their tents like Arabs,
And silently steal away.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

'Occupy Auckland' protesters warned of trespass notice
Published: 5:31PM Monday November 14, 2011
 Source: ONE News

Auckland Council has asked the Occupy protesters to leave Aotea Square - and will issue a trespass notice if the request is ignored. ...

read te rest at http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/occupy-auckland-protesters-warned-trespass-notice-4536033

[nitpicker1]

Opinion divided over protest
Home » News » Dunedin
By Chris Morris on Wed, 16 Nov 2011
News: Dunedin | Occupy protest


The tents are dwindling at the Occupy Dunedin encampment in the Octagon, but the battle for public opinion continues to rage.
Dunedin City Council figures released yesterday showed council staff and Mayor Dave Cull had received 626 phone calls and emails since the protest began on October 15.

Most of those received in the first week were from Dunedin residents opposed to the protest, but the comments since have largely come from protest supporters across New Zealand and overseas.

The figures were released by the council yesterday after a request by the Otago Daily Times last week, and left both sides claiming vindication.

Mr Cull said it remained his belief the overwhelming majority of the community wanted the camp out of the Octagon.

His view was backed by the results of an Otago Daily Times online poll, running since November 4, which had attracted one of the largest response rates - at 2286 - of any run by the newspaper. The poll is not scientific.

It showed 61% of voters wanted the protest to end, while 21% supported the continued occupation.

Another 14% wanted the council and protesters to agree to a compromise, offered by Mr Cull earlier this month, while another 4% were not sure how to resolve the stand-off.

Occupy Dunedin protester Bert Holmes said the results showed about one-fifth of the population backed the protest, which gave the occupiers "a very strong mandate".

However, claims the movement represented 99% of the population might need to be reconsidered, given the poll results, he conceded.

"Perhaps it needs to be 'we are the 30%', which is still a mandate to continue what we're doing."

His comments came as the size of the Octagon protest continued to dwindle yesterday, exactly one month after 100 protesters pitched about 30 tents on October 15.

The number of tents has been dropping steadily since, and was down to 14 yesterday. Just a handful of protesters were on site about lunch time, although numbers ebb and flow throughout each day.

Mr Cull said the council was still considering all options, including possible legal avenues, but would not give a time frame for any decision.

"I'm hopeful that we can come to a resolution in the next wee while."

Asked if he was attempting to wait the protesters out, he would only reiterate: "We're reviewing all our options."

The council's aim was to see an end to the protesters' encampment, not their protest, he stressed.

"Obviously, they've got a right to protest. It's the fact that they are camping there."

However, protesters were showing no signs of quitting the site completely, with general assemblies and other activities continuing each day.

The group's Facebook page had also attracted 1167 "likes" - indicating individual supporters - by yesterday afternoon, and was hosting a lively debate between supporters and opponents of the occupation.

Mr Holmes said gauging public opinion "depends who you speak to", with feedback to protesters at the camp "more positive than not".

"It's a lot easier for people to disagree with people behind their backs than it is to their faces.

"The public opinion that we see every day is in favour. You get the people who drive past and tell us to get jobs and all that sort of stuff. It's quite easy to yell out a car window."

The figures released by council governance support officer Jennifer Lapham yesterday showed council staff fielded 15 emails and about 150 phone calls in about the first week of the protest.

They were followed by a flood of 220 emails - mainly from outside New Zealand - on the evening of November 1, hours after trespass notices were issued, overwhelmingly supporting the protest.

Since then, a further 150 emails and 21 phone calls have been received by staff, while Mr Cull had also fielded about 70 phone calls and emails directly.

chris.morris@odt.co.nz

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/186759/opinion-divided-over-protest

at least it has taken Dunedin's ratepayers minds off the sacking of DCHL bosses and the alleged scandal attached to that

[nitpicker1]

Council backs off removing occupiers
NICCI MCDOUGALL
Last updated 05:00 17/11/2011

Occupy Invercargill protesters can remain camping at the city's Gala St reserve rent-free as the city council backs off from making a decision.

The Invercargill City Council issued the protesters with a $345 bill for camping at the reserve, which was due last week.

They refused to pay.

The council had said a decision would be made on its next step by the end of last week, but it has now decided to step back and wait.

In the past week a teepee has been erected and poles seen at the camp site occupied by part of the New Zealand extension of the global movement that started with Occupy Wall St in the United States.

Council chief executive Richard King said if the group put up structures the council deemed unsafe, or came under the control of building regulations, they would need building consent. "If they get out there with a hammer and nails, we'll be taking a dim view on that."

The continuing occupation has left one Gala St resident saying she's had enough.

"I can't see their purpose, I'm not happy they're here. Where are they showering and who's paying for them?" the woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, asked.

"I've got my rates to pay and I have to pay them. It's just ridiculous. It's a worldwide thing and we don't want it here," she said.

Mr King said until the police were prepared to act the council's hands were tied.

Both police and the council were waiting to see how other regions dealt with similar situations first. While the group was annoying a lot of people ... it was not doing too much harm, Mr King said.

Southern District police area commander Inspector Lane Todd said if the council issued a trespass notice for the police to enforce, they would seek legal advice first. Police were concerned about breaching the Bill of Rights Act and the legal issues surrounding the group camping in a public place.

"Any issues, although they are minor, we're dealing with them on a case by case basis ... at this stage it's obviously a peaceful protest ... we're comfortable with the way things are sitting at the moment," Mr Todd said.

In Dunedin, police refused to act on a council trespass notice for the protesters in the city's Octagon due to Bill of Rights implications.

 The Southland Times

http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/5981554/Council-backs-off-removing-occupiers


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Global Occupy movement a 'biblical voice'
By Simon Collins
 5:30 AM Friday Nov 18, 2011 

Church leader lauds protesters' stand for dialogue on growing wealth gap in society.


A leader of New Zealand's mainstream churches says the worldwide "Occupy" movement is a prophetic voice in the tradition of Biblical prophets such as Jeremiah and Isaiah.

New Zealand Christian Network director Glyn Carpenter, representing most of the main Protestant and Catholic churches, visited the Occupy movement campsite in Auckland's Aotea Square on Tuesday to support the protesters' call for "a dialogue on growing inequality".

The NZ Council of Christian Social Services, which is running a campaign to reduce inequality, has also voiced support for the movement.

Mr Carpenter told Radio Rhema after visiting another Occupy camp in Dunedin that the gap between the country's highest-paid and lowest-paid people had widened in his 40-year working life from 30 times to 200 times.

He told the Herald that the movement was right to raise the issue in a way that captured public attention.

"In the church, the word we would use for that is a 'prophetic call'," he said.

"If you look at Micah, a prophet in the Old Testament who was around in about the seventh century BC, it says in chapter 6, verse 8: 'What does God require of you?'

"The answer is: 'Act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with God.'

"If you look at Isaiah or Jeremiah - there are four major prophets and 12 minor prophets and all of them are calling the nation back to be more compassionate and more honouring of what God was requiring."

He said church groups in Dunedin were working with the Occupy movement to show a documentary about the global financial crisis, Inside Job, with discussion afterwards.

"We will replicate that around the country," he said.

But he also acknowledged the wish of local councils to regain public use of occupied spaces such as Aotea Square and Dunedin's Octagon.

"We know that the occupations are all going to end at some time. We would like to see that those occupations end peacefully," he said.

The Auckland Council wrote to the Aotea Square protesters on Monday formally asking them to leave, or at least to specify a date when they would leave. But the protesters met on Wednesday night and resolved to stay indefinitely.

Council lawyer Wendy Brandon said the council was now considering whether to issue a formal trespass notice and, if that failed, seek a court order.

Council of Christian Social Services president Ruby Duncan said she and 14 other members of her council supported the protest.

"I admire people who are prepared to make this kind of stand - not just a march but a more prolonged stand which does get more attention," she said.

The Methodist Mission's Lifewise agency has provided food to the Aotea Square occupiers since the protest started last month.

ON THE WEB

www.visionnetwork.org.nz

By Simon Collins | Email Simon 
 
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/religion-and-beliefs/news/article.cfm?c_id=301&objectid=10766768

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

[Im2Sexy4MyPants]

Polish protesters send up ‘Robokopter’ drone to spy on police

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dce0XV4kwTM&feature=player_embedded

[nitpicker1]

  yeahbut

that vid was Uploaded by latajacakamera on Nov 12, 2011

didya read this in the comments?

To all the english speaking commentators, these riots were not in any way connected with Occupy. These were right-wing/nationalist and left wing groups clashing on the occasion of polish independence day. And the copter was a big surprise to everyone. Media thought it's a police gadget, and the police must have thought the same thing

Gazetamiplaci 4 hours ago

check out http://www.businessinsider.com/poland-riots-video-helicopter-2011-11

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

[nitpicker1]

 
Wealth and talent occupy tent city
By Imogen Crispe
5:30 AM Sunday Dec 4, 2011

 A former millionaire property guru and a wealthy business owner now call tents their homes.
Chris Glen claims he has slept in Aotea Square for 50 nights as part of the global "Occupy" protest. Glen is financially stable as an owner of two pubs and a cafe in Manchester in the UK and doesn't need to be working.

"I go back to the UK every six months to see how they are going but I have managers looking after the businesses for me. I went there on a gap year and decided to go back and buy them nine years ago," he says.

"Being financially secure has enabled me to be here full time."

He says he doesn't find camping very comfortable.

"There's constant noise and the lights of the city. Of course it's hard when it rains."

But he says it is worth it for the cause.

"The openness and the willingness of the public to look at issues more than makes up for any difficulties we face."

Glen has access to his home, and returns to shower regularly.

He says there are only two others who have done the same as part of Occupy Auckland.

He treats the occupation as a job, getting up at 7am every morning and is at his desk by 8am as a co-ordinator, responsible for the occupation finances, ensuring money donated by the public is put to good use. He says the protest receives about $3000 to $4000 a month in donations.

His family in the South Island is very supportive but were worried when Glen was arrested on November 9. He was later released without charge.

A former millionaire property guru who once lived in a waterfront home in the plush Auckland suburb of Herne Bay has also been living in a tent in Dunedin's Octagon.

"I know we are making a difference. This is my new occupation," Kieran Trass told the Otago Daily Times from near his makeshift residence of the past few weeks.

The 49-year-old says he is down to "the last of my resources" and detached from his previous life as a banking and property high-flyer.

He has worked at Nathan Finance, UDC and CitiBank in mortgage lending and corporate banking. He set up a dozen start-up companies, including the property consultancy Hybrid Group, an online mortgage brokers, a property trading company, a building company, and a legal practice.

He published five books on the topic, including Grow Rich with the Property Cycle and The Housing Bubble.

In 2007, "before the world turned", he increased his exposure to property, and with his businesses shrinking lost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and "I haven't recovered".

By Imogen Crispe

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10770737

meanwhile the Octago nucleus remains http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council-online/webcams/octagon

 

[nitpicker1]