Westfield Mall Protest

**Swoop** · 24th November 2009, 07:45

So much for getting the public on side.

Much better to park a bike each side of the pedestrian entrances into the building and hand out leaflets clearly explaining the situation. Chat nicely to people and get them educated about our plight.

**Max Headroom** · 24th November 2009, 07:50

I can just imagine some stressed-out soccer mum in a bullbar-equipped SUV with a carload of screaming kids arriving at a Westfield carpark somewhere near you, and seeing red at the sight of several hundred bikes occupying a carpark each. Something is likely to snap.

She might just decide, in those brief moments of realisation that she won't get a carpark anytime soon, that playing motorcycle dominoes might actually be fun . . . .

Regardless of the intent of the Westfield protest, what the public will focus on is their perception of the event and I believe that bikers will come out of this looking not-too-flash. Westfield will play the martyrs, the public will play the victims, and nobody will remember or even care that ACC was the intended target . . .

Remember people, short term goals corrupt long term goals.

**Big Dave** · 24th November 2009, 07:50

I'm also of the opinion that the overall effect of such a rebel battle will have an adverse effect on the war.

If you guys targeted your energy on ACC offices and MP's with legal protest it would yield a better result.

**Waxxa** · 24th November 2009, 08:07

keep the protest actions on the politicians and ACC. General Joe public wont see this action of parking in car parks at malls and relate it to the bike levies.

As a biker I can understand the congestion theory but our protest efforts should remain on those who are responsible and capable of making the changes and pushing these changes through. And that is not general Joe Public.

**george formby** · 24th November 2009, 08:12

Great, I'm going to be marginalised even further now. My own fault for being a dumb, selfish, arrogant biker then. Cheers!

**k2w3** · 24th November 2009, 08:16

Speaking of the SS, who was that dude at the Auckland Museum ride wearing the shiny silver German helmet with the gold swastika on the side. Offensive, much?

**R6_kid:Me** · 24th November 2009, 08:18

Originally Posted by Swoop

Much better to park a bike each side of the pedestrian entrances into the building and hand out leaflets clearly explaining the situation. Chat nicely to people and get them educated about our plight.

Originally Posted by Big Dave

If you guys targeted your energy on ACC offices and MP's with legal protest it would yield a better result.

Two very good ideas. Funny that they take a bit of time and effort to do, and aren't as 'cool' as attempting to fill up a mall carpark and them aimlessly wandering around the mall.

**k2w3** · 24th November 2009, 08:32

I'd also like to know what's with the "do not add to watchlist". First time I've seen that instruction, R6kid.

**Ronin** · 24th November 2009, 09:09

Originally Posted by Elysium

Bet big and win big, bet big and loose big.

Loose lips sink ships?

**Tank** · 24th November 2009, 09:15

I believe that the only media coming to this protest is going to be failblog.

**raster** · 24th November 2009, 10:05

I spoke to one of the mall managers and they said, once any bike parking (if provided) are full then park in a carpark.

She would be just as happy to have us spend our money as the mission bay shop owners were last Sunday.

Be aware that there is a time limit on the carparks and when the carparks are filled up then they will be inforced.

Follow the same principle as the Mission Bay parkup and I don't think we will be getting any flack from the retailers.

Another way of looking at it is if someone is driving around looking for a park....
"Do you want to park?... here let me move my bike so you can!... and have a flyer while you are at it."!!!!!!!!!

**raster** · 24th November 2009, 10:11

I need to do some shopping for Christmas, why shouldn't I do it when other people are.

My initial response is NONONO, (sorry NONONO, not taking your name in vein)

Then I thought about it, if we are there to shop then why not, if we parked and stayed with our bikes it would be a different story.

Although someone with a quick camera would need to keep an eye on the bikes.

**PrincessBandit** · 24th November 2009, 10:17

Originally Posted by raster

I need to do some shopping for Christmas, why shouldn't I do it when other people are.

My initial response is NONONO, (sorry NONONO, not taking your name in vein)

Then I thought about it, if we are there to shop then why not, if we parked and stayed with our bikes it would be a different story.

Although someone with a quick camera would need to keep an eye on the bikes.

I'll be taking my bike to do my Christmas shopping! Yay, protest of one!
Ooops, I think I just gave away a clue that I won't be buying big pressies for anyone...