People Against Prisons Aotearoa
@papa.org.nz
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A prison abolitionist organisation committed to building a fairer, safer, and more just Aotearoa.
Please donate if you can to help
@peaceactnotautahi.bsky.social
pay legal fees, transport and the other costs to support over 35 of their members and supporters who have been arrested for engaging in peaceful direct action against the National Aerospace Summit.
chuffed.org/project/aero...
10 days ago
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The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture's statement demonstrates that the Waikeria and Paremoremo megaprisons must close, as they result in miscarriages of justice and human rights violations against MÄori and youth.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/10/u...
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UN torture committee warns Govt about rising prison population
The UNās warning about the countryās prison population comes on the heels of Treasuryās concerns about the associated ballooning costs.
https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/10/un-torture-committee-warns-govt-about-rising-prison-population/
12 days ago
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After multiple exposes of the Police violating our human rights and civil liberties, instead of reigning them in, the Government is enabling the Police to further intensify its capacity to spy on us. This will only end we disarm, defund and disband the Police.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
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Government moves to give police back more information-collecting powers
The amendments will also extend to letting police shut off more areas, not just roads, in an emergency or disorder.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/575449/government-moves-to-give-police-back-more-information-collecting-powers
14 days ago
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We condemn police brutality against
@peaceactnotautahi.bsky.social
members and supporters who engaged in peaceful direct action to oppose NZ arms and aerospace companies' collaboration with the American military industrial complex and the Israeli genocide in Gaza.
thespinoff.co.nz/society/08-1...
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Dozens of protesters arrested at Aerospace Summit in Christchurch
'We need to stop hiding behind this thin veneer of space exploration,' said one of the organisers. <br />
https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/08-10-2025/dozens-of-protesters-arrested-at-aerospace-summit-in-christchurch
15 days ago
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Through AUKUS, a new FBI office in Wellington and now this new arms industry strategy, the Government is hell-bent on integrating Aotearoa into the American capitalist-imperialist war machine. This will only end when we de-link from the fascist USA.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
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Government unveils strategy for the defence industry
The plan will lift New Zealand's defence spending to more than 2 percent in the next eight years with the Defence Minister seeking to have New Zealand develop weapons for export.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/574893/government-unveils-strategy-for-the-defence-industry
18 days ago
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From Rachel Mary Andrews (
www.instagram.com/p/DPUu7__k0-k/
): ""Do the crime. Do the time, " they say. Those naysayers, and climate deniers, and tough-on-crime right-wingers. And the ones who applaud the erosion of democracy until it impacts them."
19 days ago
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Corrections and this Government are failing in their duty to keep the people in their care safe. This is not a rehabilitative environment.
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/...
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'Corrections crisis': Assaults, double-bunking, inmate tallies hit record highs
Assaults are much more numerous than the last time prisoner numbers neared 10,900.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/tension-and-violence-prison-assaults-double-bunking-and-prison-population-hit-record-highs/PXHHSPWPNNB7VFSU2KOUGQFGRQ/
20 days ago
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While our government remains complicit in genocide, three New Zealanders, Rana, Samuel, and Youssef are risking everything for justice on the Global Sumud Flotilla. They are our whÄnau, and our government must make every effort to protect them.
22 days ago
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Auror, who work with the cops, are expanding surveillance capitalism here and violating our civil liberties through providing facial recognition technology to shops with minimal safeguards. This will only end when surveillance capitalism is abolished.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
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Stage set for much more facial recognition in shops
Auror's number-plate recognition technology is currently under legal scrutiny in the Wellington Court of Appeal.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/573639/stage-set-for-much-more-facial-recognition-in-shops
about 1 month ago
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Police is using the surveillance capitalist Auror system to regularly violate our civil liberties. The cops use of Auror must end immediately.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
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Lawyers challenge widespread police use of number-plate software as evidence
Police reportedly tap into the Auckland-based Auror system 250,000 times a year, often outside big retailers and petrol stations.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/573275/lawyers-challenge-widespread-police-use-of-number-plate-software-as-evidence
about 1 month ago
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Our members from TÄmaki branch and across Aotearoa were proud to participate in Aotearoa For Palestine's March for Humanity today. The Government must sanction Israel now, because a world without prisons can only exist when the genocide in Gaza ends and Palestine is free.
about 1 month ago
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TÄmaki whÄnau, please attend this fundraiser on Friday 26 September from 6:30PM at Trinity Methodist Church Hall to help Te KÄhui Creative Writing continue its by-rangatahi-for-rangatahi creative writing programme within and outside of prisons.
www.eventbrite.com/e/keep-te-ka...
about 2 months ago
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Join us and our comrades
@ponekeantifa.bsky.social
, International Socialist Organisation Aotearoa,
@peacewellington.bsky.social
and Te Tai TÄtÄkura on Saturday 6 September at Midland Park from 1PM as we march in opposition to the new FBI base and US troops here.
www.facebook.com/events/65778...
about 2 months ago
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Please donate if you can to help Te KÄhui Creative Writing continue its by-rangatahi-for-rangatahi creative writing programme within and outside of prisons.
www.thearts.co.nz/boosted/proj...
about 2 months ago
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The Government's proposed total ban on prisoners voting is a major attack on our democracy, as it violates prisoners human rights, it undermines their rehabilitation efforts and it increases anti-MÄori racism. This ban must be not be allowed to take place.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/08/27/w...
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Why imposing voting ban on prisoners is flawed
Comment from Victoria University of Wellington: The Government's plan to disenfranchise prisoners ignores NZ's human rights obligations, undermines rehabilitation efforts, and increases discrimination...
https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/08/27/why-imposing-voting-ban-on-prisoners-is-flawed/
about 2 months ago
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Police carried out an unlawful program of mass surveillance for years. They created a database of thousands of photos of MÄori children who were under no suspicion. Police have failed over and over to meet deadlines to delete the photos.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
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Government promises to give police more information-collecting powers, details scant
But details on the upcoming law change are still scant.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/571144/government-promises-to-give-police-more-information-collecting-powers-details-scant
about 2 months ago
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Police cells are among some of the worst forms of imprisonment out there due to the high levels of mental, emotional and physical harm and increasing risk of self-harm that those held in them suffer. The detention of youth and adults in police cells must end immediately
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
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More young people being detained in police cells for longer - children's commissioner
The Children's Commissioner is calling for an end to the practice.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/570462/more-young-people-being-detained-in-police-cells-for-longer-children-s-commissioner
2 months ago
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PAPA members, our Annual General Meeting will be happening on Saturday 30th August from 1PM-4PM online via Zoom. Please check the 21st August all-members email in your inbox or spam to register to attend the AGM and to nominate yourself for a National Organising Committee role.
2 months ago
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Please sign this petition calling on the Government to end the use of extreme-risk regimes in prisons like the Prisoners of Extreme Risk Unit/PERU, the Persons of Extreme Risk Directorate/PERD and the Transnational Organised Crime/TNOC management pathway.
www.change.org/p/stop-the-s...
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Sign the Petition
Stop the Secret Punishment: End PERU, PERD and TNOC Regimes in New Zealand Prisons
https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-secret-punishment-end-peru-perd-and-tnoc-regimes-in-new-zealand-prisons
2 months ago
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That over 60% of prisoners want to be put into torturous solitary confinement shows how horrific conditions are at Mount Eden prison. The Bail Amendment Act must be repealed, Mount Eden prison must be closed and decarceration measures must be implemented immediately.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
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62% of Mt Eden prisoners in voluntary segregation, watchdog says many feel unsafe
A watchdog has also highlighted a raft of other issues at the Auckland jail, including staff shortages and limited rehabilitation activities.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/570511/62-percent-of-mt-eden-prisoners-in-voluntary-segregation-watchdog-says-many-feel-unsafe
2 months ago
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Please sign this petition calling on the Government to reject any legislative attempts to codify gang membership as a sentencing aggravator.
www.change.org/p/reject-gan...
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Sign the Petition
Reject Gang Membership as Aggravating in Sentencing
https://www.change.org/p/reject-gang-membership-as-aggravating-in-sentencing
2 months ago
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PÅneke whÄnau, join us on this rally and march on Saturday 6th September from 1PM (location to be confirmed) to demand that the Government close the FBI office in Aotearoa and end all security and military ties with the American capitalist imperialist regime!
www.facebook.com/events/65778...
2 months ago
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So called "prison riots" are a last resort protest against intolerable, inhumane conditions. We need an investigation and full transparency around what prompted this.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
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Spring Hill Prison lockdown ends after inmates start riot, light fires
A group of 11 prisoners refused to leave the exercise yard and lit fires at Spring Hill Corrections Facility.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/570181/spring-hill-prison-lockdown-ends-after-inmates-start-riot-light-fires
2 months ago
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Our members were proud to take part in the PÅneke HÄ«koi for Palestine by the Falastin Tea Collective today that called on the Government to recognise the State of Palestine as well as boycott, divest and sanction the genocidal Zionist state. None of us are free until Palestine is free!
2 months ago
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The Polynesian Panthers' picketing of the homes of government officials helped bring about the end of the dawn raids in the 1970's. The Government is now shamefully criminalising such tactics as part of their broader agenda to curtail the right to protest.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
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Protesting at people's private homes to be outlawed
Protesting outside someone's home is set to be made an offence, with offenders facing fines or jail time.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/570118/protesting-at-people-s-private-homes-to-be-outlawed
2 months ago
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Communities don't want to see armed police. Armed police make us less safe, especially those in working class and MÄori communities.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
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Neighbours question fatal police shooting that left woman dead, partner critically injured
The distressed scream of a woman rang out across a tight-knit Christchurch neighbourhood. Then a gunshot followed.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/570113/neighbours-question-fatal-police-shooting-that-left-woman-dead-partner-critically-injured
2 months ago
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It is hard to imagine a worse outcome to this situation than both parties being shot by the police, one fatally. Our hearts go out to the couples' whÄnau, friends and wider community.
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/crime/pol...
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'They had their troubles': Friends shaken after woman fatally shot by police, man critical
Multiple investigations underway after police shoot two people in Christchurch last night.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/crime/police-swarm-christchurch-suburb-responding-to-serious-incident/DTKR5V7TWJBF5KUPWZEDU2D4OY/
2 months ago
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It should surprise no one that 80% of rangatahi who participated in the youth bootcamp pilot went on to reoffend, as this has happened every time bootcamps have been tried. It's time to close the youth bootcamps once and for all.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Bootcamp re-offending rate revealed
Most of the young people went on to re-offend. But that doesnāt mean the Government views this as a failed experiment.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360784864/bootcamp-re-offending-rate-revealed-80-allegedly-offended-within-year
3 months ago
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This is damning. The report shows how NZ police don't have basic accountability or independent oversight. They can justify killing people so long as they can explain why they felt threatened. NZ police kill people at a rate 11 times higher than other similar countries.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-dept...
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Police shooting: Coroner rules Shargin Stephens' death was 'preventable'
A young officer pushed past his seniors and got "unnecessarily and dangerously close" before shooting Shargin Stephens twice with a rifle.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/569347/police-shooting-coroner-rules-shargin-stephens-death-was-preventable
3 months ago
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NZ Police created an illegal database of photos of rangatahi MÄori. For years they routinely stopped and photographed rangatahi MÄori in the street. They still cannot guarantee that the photos are not being used.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
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Police miss deadline to detect and delete unlawful photos once again
RNZ in 2020 first exposed that police for years were wrongly collecting photos and fingerprints from the public, particularly young MÄori.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/568981/police-miss-deadline-to-detect-and-delete-unlawful-photos-once-again
3 months ago
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As our press spokesperson
@cannibality.bsky.social
explained on this Marae panel, the FBI Wellington office must close, because it will further subordinate us to American capitalist imperialism through it advising New Zealand Police to more effectively repress MÄori, Pasifika, workers and the left.
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3 months ago
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Our press spokesperson
@cannibality.bsky.social
will be speaking at this rally against the FBI's new office in Wellington tomorrow at 1PM at the US Consulate on how the office is part of the American capitalist imperialist regime's efforts to export their policing model to ensure Pacific domination.
3 months ago
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Emmy, Peyton, and Grace are PAPA members as well as criminology lecturers. In this article for the Spinoff, they explain the evidence proving that everything Tamatha Paul said about the police is true.
thespinoff.co.nz/politics/28-...
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Is Tamatha Paul in āla-la landā? Hereās what the evidence says
A history of negative experiences of policing will affect how some communities view the police ā and it's crucial that the opinions of these communities are heard.
https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/28-03-2025/is-tamatha-paul-in-la-la-land-heres-what-the-evidence-says
7 months ago
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We're relieved to hear this, and heartbroken that it took a brutal beating by screws and a hunger strike for it to happen. Horrific cases like Dean's will continue to happen until housing is recognised as a human right, and until prisons cease to exist.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
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Hunger striker Dean Wickliffe to be released from prison
Hunger-striking inmate Dean Wickliffe will be released from prison after appearing before the Parole Board today.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/549809/hunger-striker-dean-wickliffe-to-be-released-from-prison
7 months ago
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HOMELESS KAUMÄTUA BEATEN BY PRISON GUARDS ā Dean Wickliffe was beaten so badly he required hospital treatment. Spring Hill prison manager Alan Lamb is blocking Dean's access to his lawyer, despite his week-plus hunger strike. Email
[email protected]
with your concerns.
7 months ago
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Join us at Ellen Melville on Sun 16 March, 3:30pm. Weāll discuss the queer case for prison abolition, our experiences with the criminal justice system, and the actions we can take to build a world where homo/transphobia, prisons and police are abolished.
papa.org.nz/2025/03/10/t...
8 months ago
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Defying Destiny posters are now available for purchase online, as is a new clasp variant for our pine keychains!
shop.papa.org.nz/product-cate...
8 months ago
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We're set up at Waimahara! Come say hi :)
8 months ago
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Ten years ago, No Pride in Prisons was formed. We're proud to be part of Auckland's history of queer protest and proud to have founding member Emmy speaking on this panel as part of Auckland Pride's closing event Waimahara tomorrow.
aucklandpride.org.nz/waimahara-2025/
8 months ago
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reposted by
People Against Prisons Aotearoa
plƦst[ģ“]k
8 months ago
great news for people who liked the poster I designed for
@papa.org.nz
āļøāØ be sure to swing by the PAPA stall this Saturday at the Waimahara march to pick one up
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PÅneke whÄnau, come to our 10-year anniversary event! Join us at Victoria University of Wellington, Pipitea Campus. Let's come together to reflect on our achievements, honor our community and look towards a future without prisons. Please register here:
www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/people-aga...
8 months ago
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Thank you to everyone who showed up in support of Aotearoa's queer and takatÄpui communities yesterday. Together we stood, and together we defied Destiny. We were so glad we could share a wonderful afternoon of courage, community, and joy with all 1,200 of you.
8 months ago
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reposted by
People Against Prisons Aotearoa
jgrof
8 months ago
lovely vibes at the
@papa.org.nz
rally in Albert Park today
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reposted by
People Against Prisons Aotearoa
Daniel
8 months ago
Huge respect to
@papa.org.nz
and what it shows is that years of hard mahi, making connections, showing up for meetings, solving tech issues, all that boring stuff ENABLES powerful action. They couldnāt have done it in a week without a thousand hours of community and history.
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reposted by
People Against Prisons Aotearoa
Brooke
8 months ago
Defying Destiny was a great time. Nothing like spending a few hours in the park filled with hundreds of lovely queer folks on a perfect sunny day I'm kind of amazed at how well the organisers did putting this together in such a short time. The speakers were empowering We're going to win
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
People Against Prisons Aotearoa
8 months ago
What a vibe. Such a beautiful day, full of gorgeous queers, and so many empowering and uplifting words at Defying Destiny. And thankfully peaceful. š³ļøāšš³ļøāā§ļø
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
People Against Prisons Aotearoa
Evelynhenare1
8 months ago
I wrote an article talking about the rising threat of Destiny Church and what we can do to oppose them (hint it involved ahowing up for this rally today)
systemchange.nz/2025/02/22/onl
add a skeleton here at some point
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DESTINY CHURCH ARE STAYING HOME: Brian Tamaki is on the run, facing public demands for his charities to be deregistered and our massive rally today. We're winning ā it's time to finish this. Join DEFYING DESTINY: DAY OF QUEER POWER today at 2pm in Albert Park.
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8 months ago
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People have asked us if it will be safe to protest against Destiny Church today. Destiny have said they won't come, and PAPA have trained marshals to keep us as safe as possible. Our collective safety relies on our collective power. Join us in Albert Park at 2pm today to show how strong we are.
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8 months ago
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