The students involved in the occupation 3 weeks ago left the registry with a warning that if their attitude did not change we would be back.
The Council will no doubt try to tell us that their hands were tied.
The Council will no doubt try to tell us that the Government would not listen to their words.
You will hear several speakers today please listen to them. We are all together in this struggle.
You have taken another step by becoming committed by being here today at the rally.
Now I ask that you take a further two symbolic steps toward the registry and show your disgust at the proposed fee rises.
Well the registry and specifically the University Council have shown their true colours;
AND WE ARE BACK!
We have come here today that it is not just the students that bear the burden of debt.
The registry also bears that moral debt with students.
Currently as students stand together in solidarity we face together as a group the financial consequences of their silence.
We have come here today to say to the registry -
THEY ARE ACCOUNTABLE!
The council, no doubt, will ask us to believe that they are the victims of government funding cuts.
Our speakers today will disspell the myth that next years fee rises can be blamed on budget cuts.
But let us embrace the fantasy for a moment that the registry is an innocent victim.
If we are both victims then why is it only the students that bear the consequences.
Like a chicken in the pecking order the council has decided not to resist a history of government abuse but vent that abuse on what they perceive is a weaker target.
THE STUDENTS!
BUT SURELY EVEN A BOUND PERSON CAN SPEAK!
THEN WE MUST TELL THEM TO SHOUT!
The Registry will tell you that we're too loud. And it is true we are and will be loud.
But we need to be to make up for the appalling silence of the one organisation that was supposed to be our voice.
THE REGISTRY!
The Registry will tell us you that we should take more time- our actions are too strong.
BUT WE NEED TO MAKE UP FOR THEIR APPALLING INACTION!
We stand here together in the rain and show our revulsion toward the University council.
I understand you are busy
I understand you have essays
I understand you have exams
But this is yet another example of the Council's cowardice to hit us when we are most vulnerable.
You have taken a step to become involved by signing the petition of 7,000 signatures.
And I commend you.
And I salute you.
Second Speech: VICTORY. Oct 14th, 1999
Third Speech (the one with the Taonga!), Oct 14th, 1999
Final Speech: Oct 14th, 1999
-= this site is maintained by the unknown student on behalf of studentkind =-