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This report from RT reflects what I had earlier thought was the case until I heard about the second, larger demonstration.
This does not seem to have caught the eye of the Guardian which chose to report on an earlier sexual abuse case involving a Malaysian Embassy member
TPP formally signed in New Zealand as mass protest paralyzes Auckland (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
RT,
4
February, 2016
A
group of around 1,000 activists protesting against the Trans-Pacific
Partnership (TPP) have blocked roads in Auckland, as the participant
states’ delegations gathered in New Zealand to formally sign the
controversial free trade agreement.
The
TPP agreement, hailed as the “biggest
trade deal in a generation,” was
signed in a ceremony attended by ministers from the 12 Pacific Rim
countries at Auckland’s Sky City Casino, to the dislike of hundreds
of protesters.
Flush the TPP
Ahead
of the signing, activists gathered on Aotea Square and set out on a
march through the streets to SkyCity Auckland, where they were met by
dozens of police officers outside the venue. Others staged a sit in
at the intersection of Federal and Victoria Street, blocking traffic,
to protest a deal that will now take up to two more years to ratify.
Mohamed Hassan
Cheers from protesters as more break through police line to join block of motorway @rnz_news
Another
large group sat down at the end of Hobson Street, blocking entrances
and exits to the southern and north-western motorway, while another
group stopped traffic at the Fanshawe Street entrance and exit to the
Northern Motorway. Police have warned demonstrators to move out or
face arrests but have refrained from coercive action.
Activists
oppose the agreement arguing that it will lead to job loss, stagnant
wages, and increasing inequality among other negative consequences
for workers. They also argue that TPP will likely protect the rights
of large investors and corporations at the expense of workers.
Protesters are also worried about currency manipulation,
environmental and health protections, food safety, and internet
privacy.
The
signing of the TPP went ahead anyways, to the uproar of a crowd of
more than 1,000 people. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said he
is “delighted” with
the deal, telling the attendees that the agreement “will
enhance the prosperity of our people.”
“New
Zealand is proud to be involved in this whole process... I want to
acknowledge the courage and vision of my fellow TPP leaders,” he
said.
Ruptly
LIVE NOW: #TPP signing ceremony takes place in Auckland http://ow.ly/XUT7D
The
Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement reached in October covers 40
percent of the world’s economy. Negotiations have been going on for
five years and include establishing common standards for 12
countries, headed by the US in addition to Australia, Brunei, Canada,
Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and
Vietnam.
Earlier
this week, acknowledging global opposition to the Trans-Pacific
Partnership (TPP) because of the agreement's "undemocratic
pedigree,"Alfred
de Zayas, the UN's independent expert on the promotion of democratic
and equitable international order, said the trade agreement "is
fundamentally flawed and should not be signed or ratified unless
provision is made to guarantee the regulatory space of States."
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