Waitākere Branch August update
Kia ora koutou,
It was wonderful to see everyone and your kids at the Canal Road protest yesterday. Afterwards, the local group passed on their thanks for the support and that we had re-energised the group. Read more about the action below.
Upcoming events
Sat 15 August: Waitākere Social and Activities
2 pm – 3:30 pm at 58 Canal Road, Avondale (Rain venue: Henderson Valley Playcentre)
Hang out and help make a banner for the Greenpeace Synthetic Fertilizer protest (Aug 29) and the School Strike (Sep 4). Facebook.
Tue 25 August: Waitākere Social and Activities
7:30 pm – 9 pm, https://meet.jit.si/XRWaitakere
Our monthly planning meeting for those interested in making the group thrive. Facebook event.
Sat 29 August: Ban Synthetic Fertilizers action
12 – 1 pm, Ballance, 10 Saleyard Street, Helensville
Let’s make sure our Government takes notice and phases out synthetic fertiliser – a major source of greenhouse gases – while supporting farmers to switch to regenerative farming. Read more.
Fri 4 September: School Strike 4 Climate Justice
12 – 2 pm, Aotea Square.
Meet at 11:45 am on the steps of the Aotea Centre. Look for our banner. Facebook event.
Past events
Te Atatū Public Talk
Gene ran his first talk with fifteen people attending. We’re keen on your thoughts and feedback for how and where we do talks. Send any feedback to [email protected] or comment below.
Highlight: Lorax kids protest to save native trees
What happened
Over fifty Extinction Rebellion and Save Canal Rd Native Tree members and supporters turned up to help save a unique collective of native trees in Avondale. With more than twenty kids, it was a family-friendly protest. A local actor read the Lorax, kids climbed trees in a harness, and kids put their hand-prints and name on our banner. Radio NZ covered the story. Watch a video clip of the book reading. Read more.
Goal: To run monthly actions to recruit members.
Objective: To run a family-friendly event to support the Save Canal Rd Native Tree group
What we achieved: We promoted Save Canal Rd Native Trees, we made a new XR banner (left permanently on-site), we signed up more than twenty new members and locals felt supported and re-energised.
Lessons:
Supporting an existing event meant we had a captive audience. Actions promote our group and recruit better than talks. Kid-friendly action makes our group more accessible to families. Media was a bonus, but not necessary for those who attended.
Share any thoughts or lessons on our action and how we can do more kick-arse actions to [email protected] or in comment below.
Kind regards,
Simon Oosterman
