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Protesters Force Auckland Standstill As TPP Is Signed

By Newstalk ZB. Auckland, NZ - A contingent of protesters numbering around 1000 gathered at Aotea Square early this morning before marching to the Centre on Federal Street and confronting police with chanted slogans and hakas. The group then split up, blockading several major intersections in central Auckland with sit-ins. Organisers had been told to act peacefully and not to resist arrest. Their aim was to disrupt the area around SkyCity to prevent officials at the signing ceremony from leaving. One group, including veteran activist Sue Bradford, managed to temporarily block access to the Harbour Bridge, though it has since re-opened. Other groups of protesters blocked on- and off-ramps to the southern and northwestern motorways. More people occupied intersections on Wellesley Street and Hobson Street.

The Trans-Pacific Free-Trade Charade

By Joseph E. Stiglitz and Adam S. Hersh for Project Syndicate NEW YORK – As negotiators and ministers from the United States and 11 other Pacific Rim countries meet in Atlanta in an effort to finalize the details of the sweeping new Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), some sober analysis is warranted. The biggest regional trade and investment agreement in history is not what it seems. You will hear much about the importance of the TPP for “free trade.” The reality is that this is an agreement to manage its members’ trade and investment relations – and to do so on behalf of each country’s most powerful business lobbies. Make no mistake: It is evident from the main outstanding issues, over which negotiators are still haggling, that the TPP is not about “free” trade.

TPP Opponents Protest NZ Prime Minister Fundraiser

By Eileen Goodwin for Otago Daily Times - Protesters jostled with police last night as they tried to disrupt a National Party fundraising event in Dunedin. Trans Pacific Partnership opponents hoped Prime Minister John Key would enter through the Savoy restaurant's public entrance, but it is understood he used another door. Mr Key had earlier been guest of honour at the Otago Daily Times Class Act event at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery in the Octagon. The protest started outside the art gallery, before moving around the corner to the Savoy, in Princes St. Up to 100 protesters attended, split between the venue's Moray Pl and Princes St entrances. Protesters linked arms in an attempt to keep National Party supporters out of the restaurant. Some supporters pushed their way in.

Thousands Of Anti-TPP Protesters Rally In New Zealand

By Staff for RT - Thousands of demonstrators gathered throughout New Zealand to speak out against the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal on Saturday. Extra police were called in as protesters pushed through barriers in front of the country's parliament building. Large turnouts were also reported in Christchurch, Hamilton and Dunedin. Demonstrations took place in 21 cities and towns throughout the country, according to Radio New Zealand. Auckland saw the biggest turnout, with an estimated 5,000 people calling on the New Zealand government to “walk away” from the TPP agreement. Many held placards reading “Don't trade our needs for corporate greed,” and “Enough is enough.” Opponents in New Zealand say that many of the provisions will undermine the country's sovereignty, giving transnational corporations huge influence over the nation's laws and regulations.

US Consulate To Citizens: Stay Away From New Zealand TPP Protest

By Andrea Germanos in Common Dreams - Stay away from the Trans-Pacific Partnership protest taking place Saturday in New Zealand's largest city, the United States Consulate has warned its citizens. The Auckland action is one of over 20 that organizers have planned as part of a national day of action against the controversial pending trade deal. The Consulate's security message reads, in part: "Approximately 8,000 people are expected to attend the protest. We urge citizens to avoid the protest march route as even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational. We remind citizens to always exercise caution when in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations." Greens trade spokesperson Russel Norman, who is taking part in the actions, told Radio New Zealand that such fears are unfounded.

Thousands Rally Against Trade Agreement

There's been an outcry against secretive trade talks, with thousands joining rallies around the country. The target of the protesters' anger in 17 towns and cities is the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. "TPPA, no way," they chanted. The cry rang out from thousands of protesters in Auckland, with the other main centres seeing similar marches and outrage throughout the afternoon. "I just wish that we could have more transparency. And then we would feel more comfortable about things," one protester told ONE News. Twelve countries around the Pacific are involved in negotiations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says a deal would open up trade in goods and services, boost investment flows and promote closer links across the region.

Now Is The Time To Step Up To Protest Corporate Trade

There is a mythology that the TPPA will never happen. That is a reckless assumption. It encourages complacency and inaction. And it is seriously wrong. The political leaders of the twelve countries know they have to do the deal soon or it will become paralysed. That won’t happen when the trade ministers meet on 8th November in Beijing on the margins of APEC. But it could happen within a couple of months. No one should doubt how serious they are. That was obvious at the ministerial meeting ten days ago in Sydney. The pressure on the negotiators in the handful of remaining sensitive chapters is intense, as if they have instructions to finish their technical work so the ministers can finalise the deal. What has been saving us all is the continued standoff between the US and Japan over agriculture and automobiles.
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