Well, if we don't succeed to expel the Russian Ambassador from Wellington ( https://chng.it/sdLwrnNwMZ ) Here is a petition that can easily be achieved!

As someone who deeply values freedom and the right to free speech, we are moved to action by the plight of Alexey Navalny. His courage in standing up against corruption and advocating for democracy in Russia is an inspiration to us all. However, his fight has not been without cost; because he was poisoned in August 2020 and finally killed by the autocratic Putin regime on March 16 2024.

 

 

In honor of Navalny's bravery and commitment to democratic principles, we propose renaming 57 Messines Road, Karori Wellington- currently home to the Russian Embassy Wellington - as "Alexey Navalny Road". This symbolic act would serve as a constant reminder for all New Zealand people and the Russians of the ongoing struggle for freedom and democracy in Russia, even long after the war in Ukraine has finally ended with the defeat of Russia!

 

 

Navalny's story is a stark reminder that our rights are hard-won and easily lost if we do not remain vigilant. By renaming this road after him, we can ensure that his sacrifice will never be forgotten. It will stand as a testament not only to his personal bravery but also as an enduring symbol of resistance against oppressive regimes everywhere. Street names get changed all the time in New Zealand for many reasons. Many new streets or avenues were named after wartime events, people or places, and some existing ones were renamed.

 

 

We believe that renaming Messines road is achievable without upsetting people that had lost relatives in the Battle of Messines during the First World War. In contrast to the eventual disaster at Passchendaele, the carefully prepared attack on Messines was a striking success even though New Zealanders paid a heavy price for this success. Obviously Messines road can then be used again in Wellington somewhere else if this petition is a success. 

 

 

Alexey Navalny's courage has become legendary. Despite being poisoned, imprisoned, and constantly harassed by the Russian government he continued to fight tirelessly for democracy in Russia. His bravery resonated with all of us here in New Zealand and people worldwide who yearn for freedom and democracy. Now is the time for New Zealand to do our bit and start reminding Russia that we also have options to express our disgust and outrage and by changing the name of Messines road to Alexey Navalny Road it will drive our message home to Russia.

 

 

We also need to start "adopting a range of punitive measures such as freezes on Russian assets in NZ, sanctions on Russian individuals with ties to NZ, denial or withdrawal of visas for Russians such as those working on NZ fishing vessels”. New Zealand has sanctioned a little against Russia but we believe that there is a lot more our Government could do, to finally send a clear message to Russia that here in New Zealand we do not accept murder and Russian state ordered killings as acceptable tools to run a country!

 

 

Russia is now a predator and global pariah state run by murderers and gangsters that can no longer be trusted and by ironically renaming Messines Road to honour Navalny’s life, we can in fact put more pressure and shame on the Russian regime here in New Zealand right now, even if it is only symbolic.

 

 

Please join us in calling on our new National/Act/NZ First coalition Government & the Wellington City Council as well as the locals who live on that road to work together to make this change happen. Sign this petition today!

Glory to Ukraine!

 

 

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing. So, don’t be inactive," — Alexei Navalny