Tonight the Otago Students Against The CPTPP will be protesting outside the Otago University Convocation Ceremony, hoping to send a clear message to Jacinda Ardern that the CPTPP is not a sensible, compassionate or progressive trade deal.
“The CPTPP still contains all the sections that we had a problem with in the first place, they’ve just been suspended until the United States demands them back when they inevitably return to the deal,” explains spokesperson William Dreyer.
“We are concerned for the future of the new free tertiary education generation – who are going to rake in the benefits of a smaller student loan but who are still facing huge losses under the CPTPP.”
“We are using our right to peaceful protest to show Ms Ardern that we have not gone away, that we still care, and we are deeply concerned that we are compromising New Zealand’s democracy and sovereignty for big businesses’ gain.”
The group plan to make noise before the event, but do not wish to disrupt the event for their fellow students.
“This is a special night for Otago students, starting their year of free tertiary education that will lead to the rest of their adult lives. We don’t intend to detract from that and our focus is on Ms Ardern’s policy, not Otago University,” continues Mr Dreyer.
“The CPTPP entrenches neo-liberalism for all future generations of New Zealanders. Free education is all well and good, but weakening democracy and sovereignty is not. Going back on election promises is not. Betraying the New Zealand people is not.”
The Otago Students against the CPTPP encourage everyone who has concerns to come down the Stadium to join them while they hold the Government to account.