100 Days of Occupy Christchurch

Visiting musicians Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione, along with Christchurch-based Hera, gave a Tuesday afternoon performance at the Occupy Christchurch camp in Hagley Park.

Amanda Palmer

Hera

Brian Viglione

At home in the park

Human-powered generator

Occupy Christchurch: At Home in Hagley Park

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker has grown a mite twitchy of late over the Occupy Christchurch movement's continuing presence in Hagley Park. If it were within his power, which it isn't, he'd have those pesky 99 percenters out tomorrow. Just to reinforce where he stands on the issues of inequality that drive the protest, Parker has been fulsome in his praise for the obscene salary increase of his secretive Council CEO Tony Marryatt , whose commitment to Christchurch is such that he commutes from his Hamilton home while drawing a bigger salary than the Australian Prime Minister.

The Mayoral nose may be out of joint, but the mood in the park is relaxed.

Like most Cantabrians the occupy folks have work and study commitments, leaving a minimal crew to mind the weekday camp.

Treading lightly on the park: Low-impact self-sufficiency.

A Glorious Labour Day in Shake City

After holding out last week at their South Hagley Park camp through one of the year's biggest downpours, the Occupy Christchurch protesters' numbers are swelled for a gorgeously sunny Labour Day march.

An extended stop at the Bridge of Remembrance.

While the messages were plain the atmosphere seemed more partylike than overtly political.

A minute's silence for those who perished in the earthquakes.

Gathered for speeches at the City Art Gallery before returning to the camp in the park.

In accordance with the aims of the global occupy movement, speakers talked unaffectedly of their everyday experience of globalisation. While the atmosphere was almost festive there was no mistaking the seriousness of the first-hand stories of poor working conditions from those involved in the rebuilding of Christchurch.

Speech bubble? 

A stray soap bubble floats by one of the speakers at the City Gallery.

Occupy Christchurch, Hagley Park, Day 2:

Unite members return to Hagley Park after supporting CERA protesters in the botanic gardens.

So many placards, which would you choose?

No good cause is forgotten.

Trying to get a sound from the Tibetan trumpet.

Got it on the second try.

The Zeitgeist Has Landed

Occupy Christchurch, South Hagley Park, October 15:

Minding the occupation zone during the main march to Riccarton and back.