City groups make most of freedom to march

DONNA PAGET/Waikato Times

ON THE MARCH: Marchers push the "freedom tree" down Victoria St, Hamilton, yesterday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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About 300 marchers travelled their own "path to freedom" through Hamilton yesterday, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Clad in bright yellow t-shirts, the marchers made up largely of members of local religious and social justice groups congregated at Knox St, where they were joined by Hamilton East School pupils for the walk to Civic Square.

Marchers at the front pushed a "freedom tree", made from wire and chain adorned with flyers noting various human rights abuses, and at Civic Square the Human Rights Commission's chief commissioner Rosslyn Noonan told the assembled crowd New Zealand had a "big part" in the initial declaration as an original signatory.

Ms Noonan said it was important for New Zealanders to celebrate, treasure and acknowledge their human rights and freedom.

As she walked down Victoria St, Waikato Interfaith Council member Sylvie Rabinovitch-Bolstad told the Waikato Times the issues of human rights "aren't something distant or necessarily offshore" and that the subject was relevant to all New Zealanders.

Mrs Rabinovitch-Bolstad said it was important New Zealand children's rights were upheld particularly given the country's poor record on child abuse. "There are a great many abuses that are taking place, and there is racism of course. We are blessed (in New Zealand), but we shouldn't be complacent, and that's why we're here."

Tim Steers, lead singer of Hamilton band The Lookie Loos, was among the musicians performing and said he became involved through his interest in the human rights cause.

He said many New Zealanders were unaware of the freedom they enjoyed: "It's taken for granted. Things we do every day, if we take those away, that's how (some) people live."

Yesterday's march was followed by an evening event at Hamilton City Council's reception room, and coincided with the opening of a new exhibition at Waikato Museum entitled Walk With Me: The Refugee Experience in NZ.