Organise Aotearoa

Organise Aotearoa is a New Zealand socialist organisation launched in October 2018, following two years of less formal meetings. The group describes itself as a movement "for liberation and socialism" with an extra-parliamentary focus, and a membership composed of various prison-abolitionist, anti-imperialist and anti-poverty activists.[1]

Organise Aotearoa
National SecretaryBernard Marsh
FoundedOctober 2018 launch, with less formal meetings for two years prior
IdeologyRevolutionary socialism
Marxism
Tino rangatiratanga
Political positionFar-left
International affiliationNot affiliated
ColorsRed, black, white
SloganFor Liberation and Socialism
Website

Shortly after its launch, the organisation engaged in a series of direct action campaigns, including joining the blockade of New Zealand Defence Industry Association forums,[2] occupying the Brazilian embassy after the inauguration of Jair Bolsonaro,[3] occupying the United States consulate in Auckland during the 2019 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt, and joining the occupation of Ihumātao. The group has also organised broader mobilisations such as the 2018 protests agitating for abortion reform.[4]

Principles and policies

Organise Aotearoa describes itself as "a new movement for liberation and socialism".[5] In a statement of principles released on 1 October 2018, the organisation's policies were stated to be:

History

Formation

Organise Aotearoa was first formed around Sue Bradford's Economic and Social Research Aotearoa (ESRA) think tank in 2016[7][8] and later expanded to include activists from People Against Prisons Aotearoa (PAPA), the Peace Action Movement and Auckland Action Against Poverty. The organisation also included Marxist-Leninists at the time of its public announcement.[1] As of October 2019, the organisation claimed to have over 140 active members with branches in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Dunedin.[9]

Direct action protests

Organise Aotearoa has received media coverage in New Zealand and Brazil for their direct action interventions on several issues. Most notable among these was the occupation of the Brazilian embassy in Wellington to protest the inauguration of the far-right president Jair Bolsonaro. Occupiers displayed the slogan "No relations with fascist nations," and news of the occupation was widely shared by both left-wing and right-wing Brazilian media, including Carlos Bolsonaro, eventually going viral across the country.[10] The subsequent backlash from the Brazilian right resulted in "thousands of homophobic insults, death threats, and rape threats [that were] sent to OA's supporters and members."[3]

The group blockaded the New Zealand Defence Industry Association forum, or "Weapons Expo", in conjunction with the Peace Action Movement and Palmerston North locals.[2] The 2018 blockade was considered successful by organisers,[11] and resulted in arms industry delegates failing to attend the forum, as well as several arrests.[12]

In February 2019, the organisation occupied the US Auckland consulate,[13] and as of June 2019, has members involved in the indigenous land occupation at Ihumātao.

See also

Notes

    References
    1. "Socialism is back baby, and it doesn't want your vote". Spinoff. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
    2. "Organise Aotearoa to join opposition to the Weapons Expo". Scoop News. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
    3. "Protest of Brazilian embassy in New Zealand goes viral in Brazil". The Daily Blog. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
    4. "Interview with Organise Aotearoa". 95.bFM. 5 December 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
    5. "What is Organise Aotearoa?". Organise Aotearoa. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
    6. "OA: Our Principles". Organise Aotearoa. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
    7. "What's the story behind ESRA?". Economic and Social Research Aotearoa. 25 August 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
    8. "Sue Bradford: Introducing the ESRA 'think tank' vision". Asia Pacific Report. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
    9. "OA Membership Management System". Organise Aotearoa. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
    10. "Grupo protesta contra Bolsonaro na embaixada Brasileira na Nova Zelandia (translated from Portuguese)". UOL. 3 January 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
    11. "Serious disruption to Weapons Expo". Scoop. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
    12. "More arrests at defence industry conference protesters label 'weapons expo'". The New Zealand Herald. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
    13. "Organise Aotearoa to hold "Hands off Venezuela Protest"". Scoop News. 12 February 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
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