Regional Protest Action-Managing the Risk?

[Wasp27]

I've been thinking.... I just can't get it out of my head that we're doing this all wrong.... I think the emotion we all felt on tuesday has somewhat clouded our better judgement and perhaps in some small way prevents us from seeing this through others (the public) eyes. I honestly believe that the massive public support we all saw and felt on the 17th was due largely because we were seen as 'Rebels' if you will... Dealing it to the Man. I wouldn't mind betting... that thinking back those very people looked to me to be your typical Grass Roots people... if you know what I mean. These are the real people... the working class of this nation... the same families that built this nation and to my way of thinking probably didn't really give a Rats as to the cause... they just loved the fact that here's a bunch of people, not unlike themselves that they could closely relate to.... were gunna 'Stick it up the establishment' and as such were pretty much going to express their own frustrations to the same establishment.
IMHO we should keep applying pressure to the only people that can change this situation.... The Politicians... namely the Nats.
I feel doing anything to upset the publics present opinion of us is not in our best interests.... whether it be preventing them parking where they want to or any other action that you can think of to get into the publics face as it were.
If we need to get the message out there amongst the public (and we do)... not because at the end of the day they will be able to influence any decision the Govt might come to.... But largely because I feel this public support will do the most good providing each Biker with support, encouragement and push to keep this campaign alive. It's the individual biker that we need to rally on any future action we decide is necessary to counter any Govt action.
We have set the precedent now... by having that many protesters turn up at Govts door. We definitely don't want any future protests to be less in numbers.... in fact we want a lot more... and where are we going to get them? ... probably not from amongst the bikers of this country (realistically) but from the public... they are just like you and me... and want to be associated with winners. I believe at the moment, in the publics eyes... we are winners... aren't we?
I also believe we would be better served by producing a simply worded Campaign Flyer that gives a simple message about this campaign and indeed the affects the Levies will have on each and every one of us. this flyer should be no bigger than a normal envelope and encourage recipients to put it on their Fridge door. We could arrange a national Letter Drop campaign to deliver these in every letterbox across the land.... get the message out there, let the people read it in there own time... at their leisure without getting in their faces or upsetting their routines and invite them to participate in our next protest... because it's going to be huge!!!
The 'Risk' as I see it is... are we going to jeopardize the publics support by taking this action today?
I personally feel the risk is far too high...
Thank for taking the time to read this.
Cheers W

[Conquiztador]

I think the idea behind any action like the one planned today, is to "surf" on the public support from Tuesday's protest to Wellington. Annoy the public, but give them enough credit and assume that they realise that this is against the Nats/government, and they will be angry against them for the inconvenience the parking in all parking spots will cause, not against the bikers.

The other way this could/will work is to get the public peed off with bikers, but make them realise that the only way we will leave them alone is if/when the government re-thinks their stance on raising the ACC levies. And so, Joe Public will say:"FFS government, give the bikers what they want so they stop hassling me!"

But there is always a big chance that this will backfire and erode the support we gained on Tuesday.

Time will tell. I think the worst thing we could do is to assume that we have done our dash and are now taken seriously, so it will be all good. At the end it is good to have the public support, but we know that the public's opinion means nothing to the government, so the only thing we can really do is to put pressure on the government them self and keep the issue as a thorn in their side.

Because, if we are honest, the ONLY thing they care about is to stay in power. All their new schemes and policies only have one aim: To make them look good come election. That's where Labour went wrong. They actually started caring about their fellow citizens and gave them more $$'s in their pocket (Family Tax credit, WINZ support for families over average income, no interest on Student Loans,....), and with the recession that they had not planned for, they were suddenly spending more than they had.

We can't ride to Wellington each week and expect 6,000+ bikers to turn up, as anything less would now be a defeat, so we need to take some new action.

We need to be seen and heard. And really, the public would expect nothing less from the ones who "showed the man", from us who are bikers, the "real rebels" than things that will annoy them, but action they secretly will admire. We are counting on that they inside say to them self: "I wish I was like them"...

[Nasty]

You can also see this next part of the campaign is public education. I have spoken to a number of people who did not know that:

1. Car levies are due to go up BIG
2. Employee/Employer levies are going up
3. Gas levies are going up 3 cents (which is big as well).

Do people also know the flow on effects from bikes getting their levies tripled? Not really. In Wellington, we are focusing on the flow on effects. Yes, congestion, yes, some small businesses will be effected, and these are only two of the points.

Rolling action, and raising issues in public is not a bad thing. Its not only about the bikers, it is entirely about who's next. And believe it or not, people still don't realise that it is them!

[taff1954]

I have spoken to a number of people who did not know that:

1. Car levies are due to go up BIG
2. Employee/Employer levies are going up
3. Gas levies are going up 3 cents (which is big as well).


I've shown a few (non-biker) friends the you-tube video of Charley Lambs' speech where he outlines this. The reaction was one of "Why haven't they announced this? Is Smith trying to hide it?"

This is part of the message we are taking to the parking protests this morning.

Whilst we made an impression, and a lot of noise, on Tuesday, we desperately need the backing of the public at large. We need to educate people, and fast. And get them on our side. The masses have to speak.

[mashman]

You can also see this next part of the campaign as public education. I have spoken to a number of people who did not know that:

1. Car levies are due to go up BIG
2. Employee/Employer levies are going up
3. Gas levies are going up 3 cents (which is big as well).

Do people also know the flow on effects from bikes getting their levies tripled? Not really. In Wellington, we are focusing on the flow on effects. Yes, congestion, yes, some small businesses will be effected, and these are only two of the points.

Rolling action, and raising issues in public is not a bad thing. Its not only about the bikers, it is entirely about who's next. And believe it or not, people still don't realise that it is them!

I KNOW what you mean, but as you point out, that's the point... Some of the country KNOWS what's happening, i fully understand why... they either have implicit faith in their government , really DON'T give a shit about the person sitting next to them or just don't know about what's going on. Very dissapointing, but completely understandable...

[wingrider]

You can also see this next part of the campaign as public education. I have spoken to a number of people who did not know that:

1. Car levies are due to go up BIG
2. Employee/Employer levies are going up
3. Gas levies are going up 3 cents (which is big as well).

Do people also know the flow on effects from bikes getting their levies tripled? Not really. In Wellington, we are focusing on the flow on effects. Yes, congestion, yes, some small businesses will be effected, and these are only two of the points.

Rolling action, and raising issues in public is not a bad thing. Its not only about the bikers, it is entirely about who's next. And believe it or not, people still don't realise that it is them!

Here at the Motel, I have both my wing and My daughters new Dragstar parked in front of the carpark. Get heaps of guests commenting on the bikes and the subject now changes to the ride of last Tuesday. 99.9% positive comments. BUT.. when I explain to them about the hidden costs going to affect them, the majority had no idea what was going on.
Several said "well just let them privatize it", but listening to my argument they have looked at it from a different perspective.
Highlighting the $11b reserve, the fact that they took a $1.5b surplase over expenditure. and showing them the take predicted from the increases apposed to expenditure, ya see the light come on real quick.
When you tell them that a decrease in their wages, living costs rising on a reduced expendable income, all of a sudden you have some pissed off people.

Again BUT....... they all tell you about the idiots pulling wheelies. speeding, dangerous overtaking etc.etc,, etc. and feel if thats the way were are promoting ourselves then we deserve to get shafted.
Yes they do see that it is the minority spoiling it for the majority. And if you ask them what would they like to see happen, its a resounding answer of raising the licence age and more training and education in the promotion of injury prevention.
Many speak of the repeated legislation affecting motorcycling yet nothing being done to restrict the boy racer brigade from obtaining the cars that they have no hope of driving safely.

An interesting point is that the majority feel both cagers and bikers are quick to report the actions of these clowns but we dont appear to report
the actions of our own community. Its like we applaude those that use the tuka's as their training ground.

There is a lot of comment on here that talks about these persons.
Perhaps it's about time we really had a long hard look at our own back yard and be as proactive in taking action to preserve our reputation as we are in being the leaders in bringing to the public's attention the affects of what Nasty Nicks got in store.
JMHO

[MSTRS]

And believe it or not, people still don't realise that it is them!

And that, precisely, is why we have to get in the faces of the public.
'Allowing' them to ignore us is just not going to cut it.
Granted, some will just get pissed off. We can't reach everyone. That is the type that would gladly run you down, anyway. It is the great majority that will 'get it' when confronted by no parking, for instance.

[yungatart]

Actually, Warrick, our parking protest engendered quite a bit of support from the public...more than it did from local riders...lucky some of us were there flying the flag and attempting to educate them eh?

[Gixxer 4 ever]

...more than it did from local riders...lucky some of us were there flying the flag and attempting to educate them eh?

See here for reply #40
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=1129528567#post1129528567

[Ms Piggy]

Definitely 1 of the themes was that it's not just us, it's everyone that will be affected and the way to keep the public on side is by letting them know we're not just battling for ourselves but for everyone.

Point ion fact: if cars have been subsidising motorbikes then why are car ACC levies increasing???

I'm still wearing my protest t-shirt on my daily commute to work and tonight coming home someone kept tooting at me (had the ear plugs in) until I turned and then she waved and gave me the thumbs up.

We need to keep reminding the public about the issue.