Over hot cups and nibbles, we met to determine our strategy for winning. Here are some of the notes.
Useful ways to help
- Sign up for the monthly email newsletter
- Invite a speaker to your meeting
- Donate funds to help with printing
- Put up posters
- Help organise the next activity
- Send a message of support
Contact People for the Public
- Carolyn Weston QSM cgweston@kinect.co.nz
- Gordon McKewen gordonmckewengreens@gmail.com
- Melissa Corban Lisla35@hotmail.com
- Mike Peters 022 600 5006
- Tracy Peters tracy@redworks.co.nz
Notes from the protest speeches given
- 30 attended this time, aiming for 100 next time and 500 the time after that.
- We need to collect donations to pay for printing costs
- We need to build up the confidence of disabled people to stand up for themselves
- Add your name to the mailing list. Use personal emails rather than work emails to protect people
- We need to build our network to cover all of Southland, Gore, Winton, Riverton etc.
Despite the weather we had a good turnout with about 30 people .It has been suggested that at the next event there are things like hot soup and cups, more blankets and chairs and definitely more signs. We also need to be louder with chants. Also an interpreter for the deaf community.
Action moving forward:
- Emailing family, friends and local organisations and ask them to share the information about what is happening
- Email letters of concern to all Parliament members
- Radio spot with Jack on Southland community radio after Easter - Melissa
- Flyers to go out to the community via supporters
- Making sure we share the load amongst us all!!!
Possible next opportunity to protest again. I am unsure what this would look like, but maybe a protest picket outside the National Party on Kelvin St, followed by a march through the Esk St Mall.
To do this, we will need to contact:
- Council
- Police
- Mall Management
- Maori wardens
More (Mike)
- $31.80 was raised in donations to help with printing.
- 3 more disabled people volunteered to join the organising committee and take on responsibilities. This gives an organising committee of 8.
- A first committee meeting will be called next week.
- We are establishing direct contact with the leaders of other groups around the country so we can learn from each other and coordinate future actions.
- Please send copies of all support messages so they can go to the website.
- 2 union delegates and a FIRST Union organiser attended to show support.
- Somone offered to reach out to the churches and LGBTQ community.
Thank you to the Mainstreet Cafe owner and staff for their kindness.