Author: kieran

He needs to return to work this week, so it’s the end of the strike for Rick Williment. We’ve been lucky to have him: weekends under the tree, lots of thoughtful blog posts, and endless questions about what everyone had for lunch. His last day is Tuesday 22nd, so come by and say hi to him while he’s around.

Our friend Hiroshi Watanabe returns to Japan next week: this Friday (18th) will be his last day on the lawn. Thanks, Hiro for your calm and constant support, we’re really going to miss you.

Next week: Extinction Rebellion Roadshow comes to town.

We’ll have company at Parliament next week; the 12th and final day of the Extinction Rebellion Roadshow

The Election Roadshow, an initiative of Extinction Rebellion (XR) and supported by Aotearoa Climate Emergency, aims to put climate action on the agenda of the 2020 election.
The Roadshow has the goals of promoting:

a declaration of a climate emergency,

a Citizens Assembly on climate, such as France and the UK have held this year, and

a green, sustainable, economic recovery from the pandemic.

Where to now for E Tū?

We’re not sure yet whether there will be another Hunger Striker before the election, how long the vigil will continue or whether it will remain at Parliament: there are a few conversations to be had yet to figure that out. It takes a group to keep this going, and it will depend on what everyone wants to do. Either way, the last 74 days of E Tū For Future have been an extraordinary and special time: we’ve captured interviews and images and stories, many of which you’ll find on the website.

Fridays will continue as usual and we’ll keep you posted when we know more.

We’ll see you on the lawn.

— Kieran

This Friday, 4th September, we mark 200 days of #ClimateCrisis protest on the lawn of Parliament. Come and join us from midday.

• May 14 to Aug 22 2019 consisted of Ollie Langridge’s 100 consecutive days.

• July 6 2020 to 4 Sept 2020 are the 60 days of the continuing E Tū vigil and hunger strikes.

• Between those two periods are 46 Fridays, six of which were spent in lockdown.

Climate strikes have appeared on the Parliament lawn for nearly one day in two since May 2019. Sometimes there have been thousands of people, and sometimes only one or two. In this time we have had hundreds of conversations with hundreds of people; most of them supporting us and wanting to see change.

We talk about anything and everything. We know that conversations require an emotional investment and a willingness to listen, especially when we don’t agree. We don’t shy away from the shock or the grief of this moment. We are a public forum within the grounds of Parliament, where the facts are not in question. We know of no other.

Since we started the situation has gotten worse: no price signals for the highest emitters, exploration continues, laws drafted to prop up emitters remain unchallenged and industries that benefit are claiming the word ‘justice’ for their owners.

Misinformation is increasing, people are imagining that not only are more roads essential but that they might actually lower emissions. The tiny steps made by the highest emitters only serve to demonstrate how dangerous they are. And emissions continue to rise.

We know you are already working on this problem. We know there are many ways to do it. Your stories, and your presence, give us courage. We’d love to see you, especially this Friday.

From Sue to Paul to Rick:

This week saw the hunger strike role pass from Sue Boyde to Paul Nieman. This was a bit last-minute: Sue was experiencing some health issues and need to pull out, while Paul, who arrived that day to act as support, was keen to fill the space. Tim Musson was back in town for the week so he was able to help out during the day.

Paul will be with us until Thursday the 27, and on the following Monday Rick Williment will commence hunger striking.

Support for the next week.

We have some gaps in the Support Calender for the next week. I’ll check in with the regulars to confirm their times, but if you are interested in helping out please get in touch with us at admin@fridaysforfuture.nz, or drop by at parliament have a chat.

Short Film by Timon Zeiss

Flim-maker Timon came by to interview David when he was here. He sent up this amazing short piece. It was recorded on broadcast quality equipment so we would love to see it in the media.

The Dick Seddon Covid Tracer!

In the last few weeks we’ve had to share the space with a few protestors who question the basic science around the pandemic. In order to make it absolutely clear that we support this government’s response to the pandemic, we thought it might be useful to attach a QR Code to King Dick while we’re with him.

So now you can install the app, and record your support of climate action at the same time!

See you at Parliament.

— Kieran

A committed group last week included Jesse Richardson (running for the Wellington Central seat as in independent on on a climate action platform), Sophia Honey from Vic Roots and Shoots (with the ‘Climate Action Now’ sign) and Jessica Hammond (Ohairiu candidate for TOP.

Hunger Strike: from Robin to Sue

This week saw a community spread case of COVID19 in Auckland, causing a switch to level 3 in Auckland and level 2 for the rest of the country. The Strike continues however; now with social distancing measures.

From today (August 13) Sue Boyde picks up the Hunger Strike with a plan to carry it for three weeks. Rick will pick it up from there.

Something you can do from home.

Aurelie Bray has a petition before Parliament for the recognition of a Non Proliferation Treaty for fossil fuels. You can sign it here:

https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_99488/petition-of-aurelie-bray-request-the-nz-government-support

The treaty recognises that fossil fuels are now a greater threat to humanity that nuclear weapons, and builds on the treaty that was used to address that threat. You can read more about it here:

https://www.fossilfueltreaty.org/

If you can come during the week.

The hunger strikers have a crew providing basic support but always welcome some supporters to help with talking to people about climate change and sharing information. Any weekday between 10 and 4 would be great. You can get in touch or indicate you’ll be around by joining the FaceBook event or the MeetUp group.

There is plenty of handout and information material, and the visitors are generally friendly and supportive. Sue and team would love to see you.

Otherwise, we’ll see you on Friday!

David Goldsmith completed his 21 day Hunger Strike last week. He handed the E Tū hunger strike blanket on to Robin Treadwell. She will take his place, striking for the next two weeks before Sue Boyde picks up the role.

It’s been an emotional and action packed few weeks. David’s presence has increased the numbers of visitors to the lawn, started hundreds of discussions with passers-by about the climate crisis, and spawned and attracted the media . Radio New Zealand marked the handover with this report.

Yellow Ribbon Wednesday

Robin has asked that we mark Wednesday at the lawn with this message:

Please would you publicise an invitation to anyone, especially parents & Grandparents, to join a ‘Stand up’ next Wednesday 5/8 lunch time 12-1, the last day Parliament is sitting. Yellow capes, clothes, ribbons welcome.

There is a lot of symbolism associated with yellow ribbons, from safe return of troops and hostages (perhaps we are all hostage to ‘Big Oil’s’ greed?), and most recently the yellow ribbon is being used as a symbol for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement as it has long been the official colour of many suffrage organisations, stemming from the women’s suffrage campaign in the US in the 1860s. I’m calling for enhanced or true and just democracy, where the rights of all people for a fair and liveable future take priority over profits for the few.

Personally, 5 August is my younger son Andrew’s birthday and the
yellow ribbon or clothing is an emblem for suicide prevention, particularly for young people. I’m calling for government to act to give all our young people a liveable future; as Greta Thonberg says ” I don’t want your hope. I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I feel every day, and then I want you to act. I want you to act as you would in a crisis. I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is.” Perhaps that’s a letter to the PM on Wednesday? Thanks. Robin

To keep an eye on happenings this week check out the E Tū blog or FaceBook. To help out or get involved email us here or admin@etu4future.nz.

There’s a long talk with David over on the Imagine My Relief podcast and more interviews and videos to come from the lawn.

And remember: from now to the election you can find us on the lawn all day, every day of the week.

See you there,

ngā mihi,

Kieran

The last few weeks have been extraordinary. David Goldsmith is in the final week of his hunger strike. Robin Treadwell will be picking up in his place. There’s been media and video, and many, many conversations.

MPs Chloe Swarbrick, James Shaw, Marja Lubeck, and Jan Logie came to visit. Prof James Renwick joined us for a long talk about climate science and activism. Tim and David even joined the Alternative Aotearoa for a quick cameo.

You can catch up with E Tu 4 Future progress on their website. Lorraine recorded a bunch of discussions on the lawn, with David, Molly, Tim, and others. These will be showing up on the Imagine My Relief podcast.

This Friday:

Parliamentary Services got in touch and asked that we vacate the space around Dick Seddon for an hour while another protest action uses the space. We’re grateful to them for bending the rules to keep David comfortable thus far, and allowing us to de-colonise the statue for the last month.

So we’ll see you on the North end of the lawn (uphill side, near the church). Just look out for the flags.

This Sunday:

Picnic for Our Planet is a gathering on lawn to celebrate David’s last day without food. He’ll be around for another week, Robin will strike for a time in his place, and we’ll find a way to continue. It would be great to keep a presence there up to the election, but that will depend on who shows up to join in.

There’s so much to do!

You can drop by at parliament any time now to bring your support. If you’re from out of town, please get in touch. We’d love to join forces with you and share our mahi. We could even stream our events if we’re around at the same time.

All around us people are coming up with ideas and working on building a movement. Of course everything around us is uncertain and of course the odds seem impossible. But we are gathering, listening, learning, and sharing.

David’s presence has been a real source of inspiration to many of us. I can’t wait to share the conversations that have been recorded with him and other activists, especially the mighty Molly Meluish.

KeaForum is now up and running: this will be a shared placed for activists to work online; it also contains a syndicated feed of climate related organisations around the country.

Thanks to all the hardworking E Tu support people. I hope you can make it by to meet them.

See you on the lawn.

Kieran

The numbers are steadily growing again, back on the lawn. This is of course aided by the presence of E Tū for Future, the hunger strikers who are now well into their first week of fasting.

Supporting the E Tū strikers:

They have been fasting since Monday morning. As time goes on they will need more and more help with some of the physical bits and pieces: carrying gear, watching over and talking with the public, keeping spirits up, and recording stuff for social media.

Please think about volunteering to go on the E Tū WhatsApp group. This will enable the holder of the E Tū phone to send quick messages to you all to call out for assistance. It’s also an easy way for you to let them know when you’ll be around.

This would be a huge help. You can install WhatsApp on your phone or use it on the web. Please contact mailto:admin@etu4future.nz or reply to this email.

Getting involved when you’re out of town:

If you can’t make it to parliament but want to get involved we want to hear from you! There are loads of things we can do together to push for change:

• you could have an event nearer to your home, on the days that suit you
• you could attend at parliament by streaming
• you could get an account on this site and add content, or contribute to the social media accounts
• you could participate in international online events

Get in touch and tell us your ideas! mailto:admin@fridaysforfuture.nz

Once again, we have a daily presence on the lawn. Please share the word far and wide. You can follow the action on FaceBook, MeetUp, Twitter, Instagram, or the website.

Here’s the media release. Please come and join in.

(Pōneke/Wellington, NZ, July 6th, 2020) A vigil will commence on Parliament lawn Monday, July 6th at 8am and continue indefinitely, led by father of three and environmental activist David Goldsmith. A fasting strike, led by David and several others will commence the following week on Monday, July 13th and continue for the remainder of the vigil.

The vigil is a direct response to the failure of our leaders to adequately address the climate emergency, and is a call to action for all citizens and organizations of Aoteoroa who will no longer stand for government inaction or tepid promises. Everyone is invited to join the vigil in solidarity on Parliament lawn to show our leaders that the time for meaningful change is now. Participation in the fasting component is not required.

For David Goldsmith, a 52 year old father of three, the climate crisis is deeply personal. “The fire that burst within me to do this is simply that our situation is desperate… I’m particularly close to, indeed deeply in love with, my delightful 4 year old daughter Hana. When I think of her and her brothers’ (Dylan 22 and Rowan 20) future, then this gets real for me. I’m not saying that this is only about me and my children, of course it is about all of us. But mostly I’m just in my head about the horror of all this, not really feeling it: it’s just too big, too overwhelming. But when I think of Hana my love can’t be held back, my love just floods forward and then I start feeling it. And in feeling it for Hana, I’m feeling it for everyone else as well, including those starving right now, and those suffering and dying in climate wars right now; already facing what we all will be facing soon enough.”

Current solutions offered by the government fall drastically short of what is required to address this crisis. The core demand of the vigil/strike is that our leaders immediately act on solutions aligned with the scientific consensus, which calls for complete societal transformation within the next ten years to avoid the worst impacts of the climate emergency, and do so in a way that is fair and kind to all.

All are welcome to join in whenever possible. Participants are advised to dress for the weather as this is an outdoor event. Activities during the action are currently being organised and will be announced on an ongoing basis.

We recognize that Te Ātiawa/Taranaki ki Te Upoko o Te Ika has mana whenua over the location in which this action takes place, and participants hope to honour them with our commitment to restoring and preserving the land for a safe and healthy future.

Media contact:
David Goldsmith 022-623-5345 admin@etu4future.nz

I’m unable to show up this week – I have a swap test this afternoon and will be required to self isolate for 48 hours thereafter. I was about to return to the office but has some cold symptoms and felt I should play it safe.

The signs are with me – I can sanitise them and leave them out for pickup if people would find that helpful. I’m pretty sure people will be there (usually from 12:30, though some arrive earlier).

Please get in touch if you need anything, or would like to pass anything along.

ngā mihi,

Kieran Martin

We’ve been back on the lawn for two weeks now. There’s been some talk about gathering on a Wednesday, improving the chances of getting the attention of the people inside the Beehive. I can’t do both days and feel that it makes sense to show up on a Friday, given the global nature of the Fridays For Future group.

Kate is keen to do Wednesday and will be talking with others about gathering on that day. She and I will work to ensure that the various channels (Meetup, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, the website, and email) contain the information you might need.

In reality, no one day will suit everyone and there’s nothing to stop anyone showing up whenever. The more the merrier: we may find a timeslot that works particularly well, or a may find that various groups like to gather at different times.

Whatever works for you. Just get in touch through our social media accounts, talk to myself of Kate when you run into use, or use the email account mailto:admin@fridaysforfuture.nz