JOSIE BLOSSFIELD / SUPPLIED/ Stuff.co.nz/ PUSL
Today protesters have met a phosphate-laden cargo ship as it arrived in Christchurch, calling for New Zealand companies to stop importing the controversial fertiliser.
Cargo ship the Federal Crimson on Monday arrived in Lyttelton carrying 50,000 tonnes of phosphate from the occupied territory of Western Sahara.
It was met by a peace flotilla of 15 kayaks, a yacht, and a ferry filled with more than 100 school children. A further 80 human rights activists sang Saharawi songs of freedom from land.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union boarded the ship on arrival, issuing a letter of protest to the captain.
The blood phosphate from occupied Western Sahara is Moroccan exporter OCP’s illegal cargo until it is unloaded. Three such shipments arrive annually.
Protesters called on Ravensdown (New Zealand importer) boss Greg Campbell to stop buying from OCP immediately.
On the 11 december, next Wednesday, Environmental Justice Ōtepoti, have prepared another protest action in Moller Park, Harbour RFC against the arrival of the Federal Crimson and his blood phosphate cargo.
