Protesters gather at city council in multi-faceted march

Protestors gather outside the Bridge of Remembrance. Source: Jordan Smith / Canta.  

Ōtautahi’s youth took to the city council’s steps last Friday, calling for action on topics including climate change, Palestine and the current Government’s interpretations of Te Tiriti.  

After they gathered at the Bridge of Remembrance, the crowd of 60 odd made tracks towards the Christchurch city council’s building.  

Protest spokespeople, Lucia Campbell-Reeves and Bugs Sullivan outlined to Canta some of the groups’ specific demands.  

“We do have a lot of demands, but our main ones are to keep the oil and gas exploration ban, abolish the Fast Track Bill, and abolish the Treaty Principles Bill – which is innately racist,” Campbell-Reeves said. 

Sullivan commented on demands directed to local council, which included a higher investment rate in local transport as well as removing policies and qualifying matters which Sullivan said make it harder for urban densification to happen. 

After encamping themselves outside the front doors of CCC HQ, the protestors were addressed by Mayor Phil Mauger, who provided economical themed answers to the group.  

Mauger said the councils’ ability to complete its eco-friendly proposals, such as constructing cycle lanes, boils down to the amount of funding it receives from the Government.  

In the same vein, Mauger pointed to how Ōtautahi’s funding is head and shoulders above its South Island counterparts, a feat he believes should be acknowledged as it allows the council to still implement changes.  

“Apart from investing $200 million in cycle projects for the next ten years, we’re also investing $100 million in bus infrastructure improvements. 

“We have done very well to build a relationship with Government, and we have done better than anyone in the South Island.” 

Protestors vehemently call for Mayor Phil Mauger’s appearance. Source: Jordan Smith / Canta.  

Before his departure, the Mayor sent an invitation to 15 members of the protest to meet with him in coming weeks to further discuss the CCC’s plans and goals surrounding climate control. 

Taking exception to Mauger’s speech, Campbell-Reeves and Sullivan passionately voiced their disapproval for not only his council but central Government itself.  

“I’m infuriated by this Government… I’m infuriated by all the adults in charge who are making pathetic and lazy choices for our generation,” Cambell-Reeves said.  

“We’ve had a little progress under our previous Government and now our current Government is just trying to peel back all that little progress we did make… it’s super frustrating,” Sullivan added.  

Safety Marshall co-ordinator Ants Field labelled the protest as a necessity rather than a choice, referencing the current climate state in the process.  

“We’re in a climate emergency,” Field said. 

“Fossil fuels make up eighty-one percent of human’s energy source… our emissions have to go down or we will continue to make this planet uninhabitable.” 

“I have a lot of respect for the tamariki standing up and calling for a safe future and I hope the leaders are listening.”