 Thousands of people from all over the country gathered at the foot of the Auckland Harbour bridge for one of the biggest peaceful protests ever seen in this country.
As they congregated Point Erin city side of the Bridge, it was unclear if the protest would go ahead, but the crowd of cyclists, walkers, family and friends just kept growing.
As it got closer to 9:30am, the planned time of the march, the focus turned to a small opening in the fence to the motorway which was blocked by police & Transport Agency's Wayne McDonald. GetAcross spokesperson Bevan Woodward continued to update the masses on the latest development but it looked like progress had stalled. McDonald wasn't budging, standing firm on his decision not to let the protest go ahead.
Repeatedly Woodward would try to negotiate with McDonald to let the march go ahead and repeatedly the reply was "No", as the crowd chanted back.
As thousands of people focused on just 20 feet of opening to the motorway the line surged forward, to be pushed back by police. All of a sudden a group of protesters ran down the Curran Street on ramp behind the police cordon only to be stopped by another wall of police. Everyone sensed it would only be time before the masses would be on the move heightening the whole atmosphere.
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One sole runner broke the line punching the air in victory, it was short lived. Further down towards town a group of cyclists had snuck onto the motorway, escaping the eye of the police, they were off up the bridge punching the air in victory then set their sights on the King of the Mountain title or should we say King if the Bridge! The cordon was broken and people moved freely and safely onto the bridge thanks to the police and transport staff now actioned the safety plan.
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As all moved up the bridge one thing became clear, this wasn't just about the cyclists, runners and Aucklanders, it was about a large majority of New Zealanders who had gathered with family and friends to support the "GetAcross" the bridge cause.
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Every man, women and child we talked to had something positive to say about a walkway.
"For fifty years I've been waiting for this to happen", "I've come all the way from Wellington just to support this." "This is a great day I never thought I'd see it happen, it's just now the beginning.", "Burn fat not oil", "The walkway needs to happen".
The debate will reign for sometime now amongst motorist if stopping the north bound traffic was work it. But ask the thousands of people that took part and they will say "Yes"
Photos from the march - click here
or via "Gallery" on the left menu then "Bridge walk"
Full video with interviews to come soon.
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