Happy 20th!

The Freedom Shop’s 20th birthday party was appropriately opened by the ceremonial smashing of a TV.


Inside Thistle Hall there was a timeline of the history of the shop with many historic photos. A zine making workshop lasted the whole afternoon, a patch making workshop was held and visitors enjoyed having a go at ‘pinning the lie on John Key’ (over 200 lies were available to chose from). And of course plenty of radical books, zines, patches and CDs were on sale.

Freedom Shoppers who had started the original shop (which was right across the road from Thistle Hall at 272 Cuba St – now the bypass) told yarns about the early days of the shop and an interesting discussion was had around the future of radical publishing (watch this space).

In the evening we enjoyed music by Dick Whyte, Dead Vicious, Awkward Death and The Four Stars until late.

Thanks to the many people who contributed and helped make the event happen! For those who missed it, stay tuned for our 50th.

On the meantime, you can read up on the history of the shop here, and if you would like to get involved, contact us at FreedomShopAotearoa@gmail.com.






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