#246: Org mtg to Protest Condoleezza Rice visit, Wed 7.30, 6a Western Springs Rd

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER #246, July 20, 2008

Website http://www.gpja.org.nz/ Contact details: Forums – John Minto, Work: (09) 845 2132, Home 09 846 3173 jbminto@xtra.co.nz; Newsletter Editor – Mike Treen 0295254744 mike@unite.org.nz; Web page - media@ndu.org.nz Donations can be sent to GPJA, P O Box 7175, Wellesley St, Auckland. To subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter visit http://www.gpja.org.nz/ or click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.

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Kia ora koutou,

Please circulate widely.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is visiting New Zealand from late Friday 25th to early Sunday 27th July. It's the highest ranking US govt visit to New Zealand in a decade. Rice is a key figure in the Bush administration and was central to preparing the ground for the invasion and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Global Peace and Justice Auckland are organising protest action. Everyone welcome to a planning meeting to be held on -

Wednesday 23rd July
Unite Office
6A Western Springs Road
Morningside
7.30pm to 8.30pm

Regards,
John Minto
Phone 0064 9 8463173 or 8469496

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE NEW HORIZONS FOR WOMEN TRUST offers an annual or biennial award of up to $4,000 to a woman or group of women researching or writing ( fiction or non-fiction) in an area of Elsie Locke's concerns: social justice, Maori, peace, women's health, New Zealand history or the environment. The funds of the award may be used for any expenditure that advances the approved project. This may be expenditure related to the research, the study or publication, or family requirements. The first award will be made in 2008. For information on the award visit www.newhorizonsforwomen.org.nz ; write to New Horizons for Women Trust, P O Box 12 498, Wellington 6144; or email enquiries@newhorizonsforwomen.org.nz

OCTOBER 15TH SOLIDARITY GROUP
Dear Friends: I am writing on behalf of the October 15th Solidarity Group, Wellington. We were formed in the aftermath of last year's state terror raids in Aotearoa/New Zealand. We are writing to groups and individuals to ask them to support our work.
Although the police failed in their attempts to lay terrorism charges, people are still facing charges under the Arms Act. The depositions hearing for these charges will begin on 1 September, and last for at least a month. This will require those charged to be in Auckland for a month, at their own expense.
As part of the effort to fight these politically motivated charges we are calling for an international day of action on Saturday 30 August 2008.
We would really appreciate your support in this work, in the following ways:
1. Support the international day of action, by signing our solidarity statement, distributing information among your members, and/or organising something in your area. The solidarity statement is pasted below and we will be using endorsers of the statement for publicity purposes. We can send posters and leaflets, just let us know what you need (you can see the resources we have produced at
http://www.october15thsolidarity.info/en/node/236.)
2. Offer financial support, we need money to print resources, and also to support those arrested and their supporters during the depositions hearing. You can mail a cheque to PO Box 9263 or deposit the money directly into our bank account: Bank: Kiwibank, Account
name: October 15 Solidarity, Account Number: 38-9007-0239672-000
3. pass this statement onto groups or individuals who are supportive and asking them to sign on. Please ask people to respond to info@October15thSolidarity.info if they would like to sign on.
This international day of action, and depositions hearing, are just one stage in this work. We hope that you and your organisation will continue to be involved. We're really keen to hear from others who are interested in this work. If you have any ideas, questions, or want more information, then please get in touch. My contact details are Valerie Morse 021-295-2138 or info@October15thSolidarity.info
Thank you, Valerie Morse

SOLIDARITY STATEMENT:
We demand the unconditional freedom of the people who are facing charges as a result of the state terror raids on 15 October 2007.
Attempts by the Police to lay charges under the Terrorism Suppression Act (TSA) failed but people are still facing politically motivated charges under the Arms Act. These charges are the result of a racist operation.
Police used the Terrorism Suppression Act and over $8 million to harass and punish political activists who they saw as supporting Tino Rangatiratanga.
The Police have arrested a few people but we're all targeted. The arrests of October 15h are aimed at intimidating and frightening all of our communities and cannot be tolerated.
We therefore call on everyone to stand up against this attack on our communities. We support the global day of action on 30 August 2008 and are mobilising to demand the unconditional freedom of the people facing charges as a result of the state terror raids.

OCTOBER 15 ACCUSED SUPPORT GROUP
Please check out the website developed by the Wellington support group for the October 15th accused.
http://october15thsolidarity.info
NEW NEWSLETTER FOR OCT 15 ACCUSED – REMEMBER THE STATE TERROR RAIDS
http://october15thsolidarity.info/files/newsletter%20vol%203.pdf

BELFAST POETS PLAY THE NORTH ISLAND
The Belfast Poets Touring Group, widely acclaimed as the world's best performance poetry group, are playing the North Island over the next three weeks. They will be visiting Auckland, Whangarei, Kerikeri, Mercer, Hamilton, Rotorua, Palmerston North and Wellington. Their new show is called "1968: The morning after the Summer of Love". It loosely revolves around 1968, that tumultuous year of anti-war protests, civil rights marches, sexual experimentation, hippies and yippies, upsurges and initiatives from the grassroots. It's a year that right-wing politicians and ideologues are still trying to bury. Anyone who experiences the Belfast Poets walks away with a different idea of what poetry is. In their show poetry is not something read out by one person. It's sometimes all five of them (three women, two men) all declaiming in tandem. It's dynamic, energising, rhythmic. And many shows will feature an integrated film and soundtrack element. Their warm-up act is Roger Fowler, an accomplished NZ singer/guitarist/songwriter who has entertained pickets and protests for over 30 years as well as featuring on television and in plays and shows. Roger is a man with a very powerful voice, and he will be performing 1968-era songs in tune with the Belfast Poet's theme. Come along to one of their shows if you can and have a fantastic time! Here's their itinerary:
MONDAY 21 JULY: 12.15pm Whangarei Public Library, 7 Rust Av, Whangarei.
WEDNESDAY 23 JULY: 2pm Atrium Building, Main Campus, Massey University at Albany, North Shore.
FRIDAY 25 JULY: 10.30am Howick Public Library, 25 Uxbridge Rd, Howick, Manukau City; 7pm Devonport Vintage Bookshop, 81A Victoria Rd, Devonport, North Shore.
SATURDAY 26 JULY: 7.30pm Wellington Irish Society bar, 10 Fifeshire St (off Cambridge Tce), central Wellington.
SUNDAY 27 JULY: 2pm Palmerston North Residents Association special conference on GST taxes, Palmerston North City Council chambers, The Square, Palmerston North. The Belfast Poets will end the conference, starting at 3.30pm.
MONDAY 28 JULY: 7pm Happy cafe, corner Tory & Vivian Sts, central Wellington.
TUESDAY 29 JULY: 2pm Rotorua. The venue still to be confirmed. Contact Bernie (07) 3459 853.
WEDNESDAY 30 JULY: 7pm Auckland University, Library Basement, Alfred St, central Auckland.
Grant Morgan, NZ tour manager, 021 2544 515, grantmorgan@paradise.net.nz

INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE “50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRIUMPH OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION”
Dear Friends: Next year the Cuban Revolution will arrive to its 50th anniversary: 50 years of solidarity and friendship between Cuba and the peoples of the world. From October 5th through 19th this year, our Institute will welcome the “50th Anniversary of the Revolution” International Brigade and friends coming from all over the world will enjoy this unique opportunity to celebrate this important date in Cuba. We are looking forward to hosting you!!!!
Asia-Pacific Division, Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, Email: dasia@icap.cu Tlf: (53-7) 838 2430

INVITATION TO VENEZUELA EDUCATION STUDY TOUR
A Collaborative Exchange and Study Tour for Academics, Teachers & Students January 2009
Dear Friends and Colleagues, We would like to invite you to participate in the first Education Exchange and Study Tour of Venezuela. A number of educators here in Australia and internationally have become increasingly interested in the radical education reform currently taking place in Venezuela. The study tour will take place in January 2009 and will involve a range of meetings (seminars) and visits with educational groups, institutions, and community organisations. The details of the week are to worked out in conjunction with colleagues from the Bolivarian University of Venezuela, and local schools and community organizations in Caracas. For further details, to contribute ideas and/or to register your interest please contact the organising committee: Tom Griffiths Tom.Griffiths [at] newcastle [dot] edu [dot] au / Jo Williams Jo.Williams [at] vu [dot] edu [dot] au / Roberto Jorquera roberto [at] latinamericasolidarity [dot] org / Jorge Jorquera Jorge.Jorquera [at] rmit [dot] edu [dot] au

WHAT’S ON IN AUCKLAND

Wednesday, July 23, 7.30pm, Unite Office, 6a Western Springs Rd, Auckland
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is visiting New Zealand from late Friday 25th to early Sunday 27th July. It's the highest ranking US govt visit to New Zealand in a decade. Rice is a key figure in the Bush administration and was central to preparing the ground for the invasion and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Global Peace and Justice Auckland are organising protest action. Everyone welcome to a planning meeting.

Thursday, July 24 & Friday July 25
THE HOLLOW MEM: Auckland premiere at the Auckland International Film Festival at 6.15pm Thursday 24th July at the Sky City Cinema. Tickets are available from 40th Auckland Film Festival. Also sceening at 11.45am Friday 25th July at the Sky City Cinema.

Monday, July 28, 7pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St Ponsonby, Auckland.
Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) AGM. “Children’s experiences of poverty and exclusion” - Presentation by special guest Dr Tess Ridge, University of Bath, UK. Stories from the lives of children in low-income households. 7:00 pm AGM business, 7:45 pm guest speaker. Plenty of parking round the back. For further information contact Rachel Somerfield, CPAG NZ Administrator admin@cpag.org.nz or (09) 303-9260.

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