GPJA Newsletter #296

Website: https://gpjanz.wordpress.com/
Contact details:
Forums – John Minto, Work: (09) 845 2132, Home: (09) 846 3173 jbminto@xtra.co.nz
Newsletter Editor & Website – Mike Treen 0295254744 mike@unite.org.nz
Donations can be sent to GPJA, P O Box 7175, Wellesley St, Auckland.
Subscriptions: To subscribe to this newsletter please use this link. To change your existing subscription details please use this link.

Stop cuts to Night Class funding: Public Meeting: Thursday, August 20, 7.30pm, Western Springs College, Motions Road, Western Springs. The government has announced an 80% funding cut for night classes run at schools. Unless this decision is reversed it will end over 100 years of night class education in New Zealand. Over 200,000 people enrol in night classes every year at 212 schools around the country. The effect of these cuts will be devastating. While slashing $13 million
from night class at schools National has set aside $35 million for private school education. These cuts must be reversed. Make your voice heard at the public meeting.

PROTEST: No SAS Troops to Afghanistan – 12 noon Saturday 22nd August outside Papakura Military Camp, Grove Road, Papakura. A car convoy will leave from Unite Union office, 6A Western Springs Road, Morningside. Gather at 11am.
The SAS deployment is a disgraceful act of aggression by New Zealand. We are sending troops to prop up a medieval regime of warlords and drug runners who have no legitimacy to run the country. The regime New Zealand is supporting has just passed laws which mean a woman can be starved to death by her husband for
refusing sex and a man can avoid prosecution for rape by marrying his victim or paying compensation. This is the vicious woman-hating regime John Key is sending our troops to risk their lives for. Widespread electoral fraud means the Karzai government (which will be elected to power) will have as much legitimacy as Robert Mugabe has in Zimbabwe. The protest will gather outside the main base
entrance at Grove Road, Papakura from 12 noon this Saturday. (We are aware the first SAS deployment has already left {we understand they flew out last Sunday} but SAS troops scheduled to go in the remaining two deployments over the next 18 months remain based at Papakura.). Mike Treen – (09) 8452132 or 0212547440; John Minto – (09) 8463173 (Hm) or (09) 8469496 (Wk)

Background

In the eight years since New Zealand took part in the illegal invasion and occupation of Afghanistan (it was never sanctioned by the United Nations) that country has been plunged into violence and chaos for which New Zealand shares responsibility. We are part of the problem in Afghanistan and yesterday’s decision puts us on the losing side both morally and militarily. In previous SAS
deployments New Zealand troops handed over “suspects” they captured to the American forces who tortured and often murdered their captives. GPJA called on former Prime Minister Helen Clark to condemn the murder of two Afghanis in US custody when their cases were publicised. Helen Clark turned a blind eye. And despite the supposed bravery of our SAS troops they didn’t have the
courage to insist on Geneva Convention treatment for people they handed over to the US. One SAS soldier is quoted saying “we sort of knew what would happen to the prisoners, Americans being Americans”. PM John Key’s tells us any suspects this time will be handed over to Afghan authorities and he has assurances they will be well treated. Those assurances are worthless. This is
the regime which suffocated hundreds of suspects in containers and which uses torture and murder as its modus operandi. The assurances given to Key are paper-thin at best. There is no place for New Zealand troops or our provincial reconstruction team. Afghanistan needs money to help rebuild and this should be channelled through non-governmental organisations. The $180 million spent so far on
reconstruction could have stretched a lot further if it wasn’t spent on NZ soldiers doing the reconstruction work on the other side of the world.

Papakura Military Camp is the training base for the Special Air Services (SAS) troops who will be deployed to fight in Afghanistan in three rotations over the next 18 months. These troops will join the foreign occupation of Afghanistan which has caused so much chaos, death and misery over the past eight years since the US and its western allies invaded the country. The foreign forces are
losing the battle in the country because of a resurgent Taleban who have been joined by all manner of other groups for the common fight against foreign occupation. The occupation has in fact strengthened the Taleban rather than weakened it. At the same time our troops will be propping up a violent, vicious regime led by a US puppet government of Hamed Karzai and comprised of warlords and drug
runners.

This war is being waged in the interests of US foreign policy rather than to fight terror or protect the people of Afghanistan. The occupation instead is nurturing terrorism. New Zealand troops have no role in this conflict. The protest will be calling for the decision to deploy troops to be rescinded. Please spread the word.

Hammer the Pokies: More hammers needed!!

Thanks for the positive responses to the appeal for people to join the campaign. We won’t be calling for action in the short term as we need to build numbers much higher. This campaign aims to enlist a minimum of 200 hammers (with people attached!) and take civil disobedience action to drive pokie machines out of our neighbourhood communities. 80% of the cases of gambling addiction relate to
pokie machines in the community (aside from casinos) These are parasites on poverty and predominate in low-income areas of the country. They have to go. If you are prepared to join a crowd (min 200) and take civil disobedience action against pokie machines then please email John Minto jbminto@xtra.co.nz or Phone 8463173.

WHAT’S ON IN AUCKLAND

Thursday, August 20, 7.30pm, Western Springs College, Motions Road, Western Springs.

Stop cuts to Night Class funding: Public Meeting: The government has announced an 80% funding cut for night classes run at schools. Unless this decision is reversed it will end over 100 years of night class education in New Zealand. Over 200,000 people enrol in night classes every year at 212 schools around the country. The effect of these cuts will be devastating. While slashing $13 million from
night class at schools National has set aside $35 million for private school education. These cuts must be reversed. Make your voice heard at the public meeting.

Thursday, August 20, 6.30pm, Pioneers Womens Hall, Cnr O Connell St and Fryberg Place, Auckland CBD

WAR HERO by Michael Galvin Directed by Murray Lynch http://www.theatreview.org.nz/news/news.php?id=320

Short synopsis: In 1916 Archibald Baxter refused to be drafted in to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to fight the Great War in Europe. For the next eighteen months he was tortured with the direct complicity of the New Zealand Government. This play tells the story of those eighteen months, using as its primary source Baxter s own remarkable book about his ordeal, WE WILL
NOT CEASE.

Michael Galvin – PlaywrightMichael has had three full length plays produced, most recently the successful July season of STATION TO STATION, in which he played the lead role, and which was developed through an Auckland Theatre Company workshop. His two previous plays NEW GOLD DREAM and THE OCEAN STAR were both produced by Auckland Theatre Company. NEW GOLD DREAM featured in
The Listener s annual best-of list for new writers and Michael won the 2008 Bruce Mason Playwriting award for THE OCEAN STAR. Michael is also a short story writer, with stories published in two anthologies: THE PICNIC VIRGIN edited Emily Perkins and BOYS OWN STORIES, edited by Graeme Lay. Michael is also well known to audiences throughout New Zealand from his role in SHORTLAND STREET.

Murray Lynch – DirectorMurray s most recent production for ATC was THE TWENTY FIFTH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. Former Artistic Director of both Downstage and Centrepoint Theatres, and Associate Director of Theatre Corporate, Murray has worked in nearly every major professional theatre in New Zealand since he back his career at Four Seasons Theatre in
Wanganui in 1973. Murray has also had a substantial career as a teacher, including heading the Acting and Directing programmes at Toi Whakaari: The New Zealand Drama School.

Auckland Theatre Company, tel 09 309 0390 http://www.atc.co.nz

Thursday, August 20, 8pm, Wine Cellar, St Kevins Arcade, K’Road, Auckland

Rousing, rebellious and downright rocking: David Rovics. David Rovics w. Roger Fowler – Last night of an Australasian tour by rebel folk musician from Portland, Oregon. $20 on the door. David Rovics has been called the musical voice of the progressive movement in the US. Amy Goodman has called him “the musical version of Democracy Now!” Since the mid-90’s Rovics has spent most of his time on the
road, playing hundreds of shows every year throughout North America, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Japan. He and his songs have been featured on national radio programs in the US, Canada, Britain, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Denmark and elsewhere. He has shared the stage regularly with leading intellectuals (Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn), activists (Medea Benjamin, Ralph Nader), politicians
(Dennis Kucinich, George Galloway), musicians (Billy Bragg, the Indigo Girls), and celebrities (Martin Sheen, Susan Sarandon). He has performed at dozens of massive rallies throughout North America and Europe and at thousands of conferences, college campuses and folk clubs throughout the world. He has loads of MP3’s available for free download on his website, http://www.davidrovics.com, along with CDs,
links, etc. More importantly, he’s really good. He will make you laugh, he will make you cry, and he will make the revolution irresistible. Opening the night is Roger Fowler, the lead singer for the Frank E. Evans Band since 1968 and Auckland’s finest political songsmith. Check out David’s new songs, The Pirates of Somalia and In the Name of Goc, about the recent murder of Dr. George Tiller in
the US. http://www.myspace.com/davidrovics

Thursday, August 20, 7.30pm, St Columba Centre, Vermont St, Ponsonby

UNIFEM Auckland Committee would be delighted to have you join them for the AGM and to hear about: Field visit to UNIFEM projects Aceh, Indonesia & UNIFEM Global Coalition Meeting, Singapore also Pacific projects Update from Beverley Turner, National Committee UNIFEM Past President. The evening will conclude with supper. A gold coin donation would be appreciated to help cover expenses, thank
you. We look forward to your company. Enquiries:please contact Maureen, ph: 575 6254 or e-mail: mjew@orcon.net.nz ** UNIFEM activities continue to expand – can you share this exciting phase by joining the Auckland Regional Committee?? Volunteers welcome!! UNIFEM is the women’s fund at the UN. UNIFEM NZ – HELPING TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PACIFIC
WOMEN

Saturday, August 22, 9.30am -10.30am, 14 Taylors Road, St Lukes, off Morningside Road

Protest Kwila Sales at Carters – Say no to Kwila – Carters Kwila Kills: Major building supplier Carters is currently selling Kwila decking that comes from a forestry concession owned by the murderous Indonesian military in West Papua. Come along and help us tell Carters customers that Kwila sales must end! BBQ Factory last week announced that it would end Kwila sales after campaign
lobbying! 3 very good reasons to demonstrate: 1. If present rates of logging continue this species of tree will be extinct in the wild in less than 35 years. 2. Most Kwila outdoor furniture in Auckland stores comes from the forests of Indonesian controlled province of West Papua, where human rights groups such as Amnesty International have documented the vicious and corrupt military forcing
villagers off their lands and torturing and imprisoning those opposed to the logging. 3. The UN has identified tropical deforestation as the single biggest man-made contributor to greenhouse emissions; responsible for 20 percent of emissions. Organised by Rainforest Action Auckland | More info contact Omar omarhamed123@gmail.com or visit www.rainforest-action.blogspot.com

Saturday, August 22, 11am, Unite Office, 6a Western Springs Rd, Morningside, 12 noon, Papakura Military Camp, Grove Road, Papakura

PROTEST: No SAS Troops to Afghanistan – Papakura Military Camp is the training base for the Special Air Services (SAS) troops who will be deployed to fight in Afghanistan in three rotations over the next 18 months. These troops will join the foreign occupation of Afghanistan which has caused so much chaos, death and misery over the past eight years since the US and its western allies
invaded the country. The foreign forces are losing the battle in the country because of a resurgent Taleban who have been joined by all manner of other groups for the common fight against foreign occupation. The occupation has in fact strengthened the Taleban rather than weakened it. At the same time our troops will be propping up a violent, vicious regime led by a US puppet government of Hamed
Karzai and comprised of warlords and drug runners.This war is being waged in the interests of US foreign policy rather than to fight terror or protect the people of Afghanistan. The occupation instead is nurturing terrorism. New Zealand troops have no role in this conflict. The protest will be calling for the decision to deploy troops to be rescinded. Please spread the word.

Sunday, August 23, 10am Aotea Square, Queen St, CBD

March and memorial service for the victims of the sinking of the Princess Ashika. It is intended that the service be held on the wharf near the Maritime Museum. Flowers will be placed in the water. Flags from the nations of the victims are to flown half mast. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please bring a photo of your loved ones with you. For more information contact Alani Taione 027 245 3555 /
278 7763. “The doomed ferry MV Princess Ashika, was de-registered by the Fiji Government in May this year, a month before it was sold to Tonga. “According to the Ministry, by de-registering the Ashika, the government found it no longer fit, to service Fiji Waters.” – FIJI TV ONE. One National News Aug 11

Monday, August 24, 7.30pm, The Peace Place, 22 Emily Place, Auckland

Films At the Peace Place… “BURMA-VJ”. Prize-winning Documentary (Copenhagen Festival) about the peaceful Saffron Revolution of September -October 2007 against the Junta currently ruling Burma. Directed by Anders Ostergard. For info: Ph 3089384; pmopnz@yahoo.com.au

Thursday, August 27, 6pm, Tom Fordes Irish bar and political museum, 122 Anzac Ave, City

“Unite & $15 hr Public Meeting” – Come along and have a drink and a think. Join the movement. Host: Movement for a Living Wage – $15 ph Campaign Network. Are you an Auckland student, campus worker or academic who wants to learn about or get involved in the $15 hr Campaign for a Living Wage? If so then come along to this public meeting to learn more about the campaign and why the Unite Union
is making a stand against poverty wages in Aotearoa. Hear about the campaign and the new progressive union movement from union leaders Mike Treen and John Minto. 450,000 people are paid less than $15 an hour. 100,000 workers are on the minimum wage of $12.50. That’s not enough to live on. We’re standing up against poverty wages and we’re going to need you. It’s time to put
workers first.

Thursday, September 3, 12noon-2pm, WT806, AUT Tower, AUT University

PROTECTING OUR PACIFIC FROM CLIMATE CHANGE “Information and Action Rally” – Host: Young Greens Auckland. To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below. http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=117999840204&mid=f418beG227fb72bG2803f4fG7

Saturday, September 5, 2pm, QEII Square, Customs Street and Queen Street intersection, outside Downtown Shopping Centre.

Rally for Justice and Peace in Palestine, come and support justice and peace based on an end to 40 years of Israeli Occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip (including East Jerusalem), the right of return for Palestinian refugees, sharing Jerusalem, vacating all settlement colonies in Israeli occupied Palestine, and stopping Israel’s annexation / apartheid wall in occupied Palestine.
Starts 2pm, Organised by the Palestine Human Rights Campaign, for more information contact email or go to this web site.

Saturday, September 5, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Council Chamber – Waitakere City Council, 6 Henderson Valley, Waitakere

In the spirit of ‘Working Together during times of Global Financial Crisis’. We invite you to: A follow-up forum – Migrants’ Solutions to Migrant Issues. This meeting is being set up: As a follow-up to the 30th of May Forum and meeting with Minister of Immigration Meeting last 9th July 2009; For migrants to put their thinking hats together and offer solutions to the issues
faced by migrants and employers during the current global financial crisis; Migrant presentation of job creation initiative; To get your signature as we convert this paper into a national petition. It’s vital we get your full support. Kindly, advice by emailing migrantaction@xtra.co.nz , number of people from your group attending the forum. Thank you and we look forward to see you there.
Regards | Agnes Granada | Coordinator | Migrant Action Trust, 161 Stoddard Rd, Mt Roskill | P O Box 8315 | Auckland. Tel# (09) 629 3500 Fax 629 3504 email a.granada@migrantactiontrust.org.nz migrantaction@xtra.co.nz www.migrantactiontrust.org.nz

Satuday, September 12, 7pm to 2am, Pearce Hall, 3 Pearce St, Onehunga

Chile’s National day Celebration. Adults $10. Children under 16 free. Traditional food, cash bar. Bands performing. For tickets: makehuedancegroup@gmail.com Ph 636 8757

Saturday, September 19, 1pm, 3rd Floor, Auckland Public Library

DISPLAY AT THE AUCK PUBLIC LIBRARY: If you have any archival material from 1969 – photographs, clippings, leaflets etc, please send to ‘Jumping Sunday ‘09’, PO Box 86022 Mangere East 2158, or contact us by return email. The library display, including unique film footage, will continue for 2 weeks during the festival.

Sunday, September 20, 1pm, Albert Park

Come and Celebrate the Liberation of Albert Park – Bring Friends & Family. September this year marks the 40th anniversary of the “liberation” of Auckland’s Albert Park as a free speech area. On Sunday September 21st, 1969, Albert Park was taken as a free speech area, with a jug band in the rotunda and music interspersed with speakers. At first the Auckland City Council
vehemently opposed the events, which became known in the media as “Jumping Sundays”. However, as the crowds increased the Council backed down, Albert Park was recognised as a free speech area and for several years served as an Auckland version of Hyde Park in London. The legacy lives on, and the occasion is being celebrated with music and speakers this September: 1pm on SUNDAY 20th
SEPTEMBER 2009. (Rain day: Sun. 26th Sept.) Other events are in the pipeline. A fuller history of the event and photos can be found on: If you want to be on the organising group email list contact: jumpingsunday@clear.net.nz

October 7-8, Manurewa Marae

NA TA TATOU ROUROU – With Our Baskets the Children Will Prosper – A hui to build activism to end child poverty in Aotearoa. For registration details see the CPAG website at www.cpag.org.nz

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“It would be some time before I fully realized that the United States sees little need for diplomacy. Power is enough. Only the weak rely on diplomacy … The Roman Empire had no need for diplomacy. Nor does the United States.” : Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former UN Secretary General

ANNOUNCEMENTS

EPMU TELECOM/VISIONSTREAM DISPUTE – NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION – MONDAY 24 AUGUST

Yesterday EPMU members involved in the ongoing Telecom/Visionstream dispute unanimously endorsed a National Day of Action this MONDAY, 24 AUGUST. The EPMU will send out more information shortly about events throughout the country, but this is an urgent request to all Auckland unions to support the following Auckland events:

•When: Picket commences at 7.30am (arrive earlier if you need to park in nearby side-streets);

•Where: Meet at Western Park, corner of Ponsonby Road and Hopetoun Street (now known as BBQ Corner);

(click here for map: http://www.wises.co.nz/l/Auckland/Ponsonby/Hopetoun+Street/#c/2rfr1/70h4s/0/)

•What: The picket will commence at 7.30am at the Park. Groups will move off to picket the nearby Telecom offices and K-Road intersections. The pickets will be maintained throughout the day. Teams of picketers will also be dispatched to various CBD locations at lunchtime (approx 12.30pm) to leaflet the public and obtain signatures for the campaign petition;

•How: As the picket will be maintained throughout the day, we need supporters to come along at any time to support (even if you can just hang out for 10 minutes, everyone is welcome). We especially need supporters at the key times of 7.30am (to hit morning traffic), 12.30pm (to hit lunchtime public) and 3.30pm (to hit evening traffic);

•Bring: People, union banners, signs, drums, bins (if you don’t have drums), anything else to support the picket;

•Food: A BBQ breakfast will be provided at 7.30am and throughout the day.

For further information, please call me on the numbers listed below. Thanks again for your support in a campaign that the union movement must, and will, win.

Chris Flatt, National Campaign Organiser, NZ Council of Trade Unions – Te Kauae Kaimahi, Level 1, Waterfront Union Building, 29-31 Anzac Avenue, Auckland 1010. PO Box 106-314, Auckland 1143, New Zealand. DDI: (09) 280-3374; Mob: 027-451-3579; Fax: (09) 280-3367; http://www.union.org.nz/

LIBERATION OF ALBERT PARK – ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 1PM SEPTEMBER 20

September this year marks the 40th anniversary of the “liberation” of Auckland’s Albert Park as a free speech area, on September 21st 1969. An event with bands and free speech is planned for the afternoon of September 20th to celebrate the anniversary. Everybody is welcome! Remember – September 20, 1.00pm – Albert Park. Albert Park Photos: http://pym-vietnamwaractivismhistory.blogspot.com/ Contact: jumpingsunday@clear.net.nz Speakers include Tim Shadbolt & Sue Bradford. Entertainers: The Frank E. Evans Band, Graham Brazier (‘Hello Sailor’), ‘Starfish Magic’ with Dave Neumegen (Arif Usmani), Tigi Ness
(‘Unity Pacific’), & special street theatre performance! We are also hoping to track down Alistair Riddell (‘Space Waltz’ singer) who played in the ‘Mad Dog Jug Band’ in 1969. If you know how to contact him, please let him & us know.ALSO! DISPLAY AT THE AUCK PUBLIC LIBRARY: Come to the launch 1pm on Sat 19 September (Floor 3). If you have any archival
material from 1969 – photographs, clippings, leaflets etc, please send to ‘Jumping Sunday ‘09’, PO Box 86022 Mangere East 2158, or contact us by return email. The library display, including unique film footage, will continue for 2 weeks during the festival.

MUSICAL VOICE OF THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT – DAVID ROVICS TOURS NZ IN AUGUST

“… the peace poet and troubadour for our time.” Cindy Sheehan. “In that Wobbly tradition of sharp social commentary, David is a master.” The Industrial Worker. David Rovics, singer, songwriter has been accurately described as the musical voice of the progressive movement in the US. In the tradition of Woody Guthrie, Phil Ochs and Pete Seeger, David is a scholar of
the history of social struggle and a sharp social critic of current affairs. His hard hitting lyrics accompanied by his mastery of his acoustic guitar encompass themes including the war on terror, the environmental crisis, the Middle East and Latin America. With lyrics containing sharp analysis and satire, Rovic’s brings a sense of fun and hope to his shows. His hope is inspired by a strong
identification with the movements for social change of which he is very much a part. During his shows in New Zealand last year, he made himself aware of the local social issues and supported the direct action of the ANZAC Ploughshares Community who are currently awaiting trial for deflating a dome covering an intelligence gathering satellite dish at the Waihopai Valley in Marlborough. Cutting
edge analysis, beautiful poetry, skilled guitar playing, standing with those who struggle for peace and justice, David Rovics passion is inspiring and his humour infectious. His concert should not be missed. Download music: http://www.davidrovics.com Contact for interview: drovics@gmail.com

Itinerary:

Friday, August 14th, 7:30 pm, Riverside Community and Cultural Centre, Inland Moutere Highway, RD2 Upper Moutere, Motueka

Saturday, August 15th, Show for grownups…, Newtown Community & Cultural Centre, Corner Rintoul and Colombo Streets, Newtown, Wellington

Sunday, August 16th, Show for KIDS!, Newtown Community & Cultural Centre, Corner Rintoul and Colombo Streets, Newtown, Wellington

Tuesday, August 18th, Poverty Bay Club, Gisborne

Wednesday, August 19th, Mosiac Church, Newton Rd, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga

Thursday, August 20th, 8 pm, Wine Cellar, St. Kevin’s Arcade, Karangahape Road, Auckland

Moana Cole: moanacole.barrister@paradise.net.nz Tel: 027 6609335

CALLING ALL NEW ZEALANDERS: JOIN THE NEXT SOLIDARITY BRIGADE TO VENEZUELA! DECEMBER 1-9, 2009

Organised by the Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network. Venezuela’s Bolivarian revolution led by President Hugo Chavez is shaking up global politics and inspiring millions of ordinary people with the evidence that a better – a peaceful, democratic and socially just – world is possible.

* Whereas in Australia and Aotearoa, public health, education and infrastructure is being run down or privatised, in Venezuela, major industries are being nationalised and put under workers’ control, and universal access to health, education and social welfare is now guaranteed.

* Whereas in Australia and Aotearoa, workers are being sacked, and wages and conditions are being eroded under the guise of “weathering” the economic crisis, in Venezuela, wages are increasing, and union membership and organisation is growing.

The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network-organised brigades to Venezuela are a unique opportunity to see an unfolding revolution first-hand. The AVSN warmly welcomes the participation of New Zealanders on the brigades. Participants in the December 1-9, 2009, brigade will visit worker-controlled factories and cooperatives, free public education and health programs, and community media outlets.
They will observe “popular power” at work in communal councils, and speak to a range of grassroots organisations, unions and government representatives about the radical changes being implemented by the Venezuelan people.

The AVSN has organised nine solidarity brigades to Venezuela, involving more than 165 participants. These study/solidarity tours are inspiring experiences, providing an opportunity to observe and understand why Venezuela’s goal of creating “socialism of the 21st century’’ is transforming the world.

Brigade organisation and costs: The deadline for registering for the December 2009 brigade to Venezuela is October 31, 2009. Participants will need to book their own international airfares, but the brigade organisers can help with advice. Accommodation, transport and English translation within Venezuela will be organised for brigade participants. You will need to budget for a total cost of
approximately $4000. This includes: international return airfare and taxes; accommodation (twin-share basis); transport and food in Venezuela; and the brigade registration fee ($500 for workers, $300 for full-time students or pensioners). Reports and photos from previous AVSN brigades are posted at http://www.venezuelasolidarity.org. For more
information, please email brigades@venezuelasolidarity.org

27TH SOUTHERN CROSS BRIGADE TO CUBA

“A better world is possible”: The Cuban people have proven that there is another way. ICAP (the Cuban Institute for Friendship between Peoples) provides, through its Brigades, the opportunity for people from all over the world to experience and participate in the Cuban revolutio.

What does the Brigade entail?

Join the Southern Cross work/study tour and support Cuba in the most direct manner by working (picking fruit or pruning fruit trees, etc) and then visiting schools, hospitals, urban agriculture projects, etc You will experience at first hand the cultural, political and social conditions in revolutionary Cuba. This year we will be having a closer look at Cuba’s innovative approaches
to the environment and climate change. Children are welcome on this tour as are older participants. Our Cuban hosts take great care of visitors of all ages. The main features of the Brigade include:

* Talks on various aspects of conditions in Cuba given by prominent Cuban speakers;

* Working with Cubans;

* Visits to places of interest (eg schools, hospitals, factories);

* Opportunities to explore Havana independently;

* Visits to provincial centres;* Homestays and visit to Las Tunas Province

Unbeatable value – $1000. (Includes: All meals, accommodation, excursions and transportation in Cuba during program). Not included:

– Air travel to Cuba – get in early to book your flights! (Check out Aerolineas for cheap flights. There are now also weekly flights with Continental from Los Angeles to Havana.)

– Compulsory travel insurance

– Any additional nights stay in Cuba prior to commencement of the Brigade or following the conclusion of the program (prior to the flight home). Inexpensive accommodation is available – opportunity for independent tourism

Contacts: NZ Paul Maunder (03) 732 4010 email wkcultur@ihug.co.nz; Ina Lawrence (09) 303 1755 email inashina@clear.net.nz Australia Robert Cooper – National Coordinator of the 27th Southern Cross Brigade – 0408 624 629, email robert@conceptis.com.au or write to PO Box 6139 Kingston ACT 2604.

WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST JANUARY 22-24, 2010

The Waihopai spybase was dragged into the public spotlight in April 2008 when three Ploughshares peace activists penetrated its high security and deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity (which is yet to come to trial). The public face of New
Zealand’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealand’s most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister)
having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control.

First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes intercept a huge
volume of civilian telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international civilian communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls.
Post- 9/11 the GCSB and Waihopai now spy further afield, to those regions where the US is waging wars. The codename for this – Echelon – has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not
governments, not citizens.

Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires.

How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head.

This will be the first Waihopai spybase protest since the Domebusters’ courageous 2008 citizens’ deflation action. Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in America’s wars. Waihopai must be closed.

Register to take part in the protest ($40 waged / $20 unwaged). Writre to: CLOSE THE WAIHOPAI SPYBASE NOW! Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch. E-mail cafca@chch.planet.org.nz www.converge.org.nz/abc Make all cheques to ABC

NOMINATIONS FOR 2009 ROGER AWARD

Nominations are now open for the 2009 Roger Award for the Worst Transnational Corporation Operating in Aotearoa/New Zealand, which is organised the Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa and GATT Watchdog. You can download the nomination form (in either Word or PDF) from http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/index.html Nominations close on October 31, 2009. Send your nomination to: The Roger Award, Box 2258, Christchurch; e-mail cafca@chch.planet.org.nz

AUCKLAND HERITAGE PEACE WALK

9.00am Sunday 27 September, QEII Square – New Zealand is the starting place for a World March for Peace and Nonviolence which will travel around the globe with stops in 90 countries, beginning with an event in Auckland, to be followed by the official launch in Wellington on 2 October. The World March was initiated by the organisation World Without Wars. The objectives of the World March
are: •To give a voice to the majority of world citizens who want peace by having them send out a unified signal •To create global awareness of the urgent need to condemn of all forms of violence and bring about real peace •By highlighting the work of individuals and organizations around the world to end violence and promote peace, citizens who are moved to support this work will be
empowered to do so. Aotearoa-New Zealand was chosen in recognition of: •The nonviolence traditions of Moriori and Parihaka •Being the first country to grant women the vote •Being the only country to have a Minister for Disarmament •Our inclusion of peace studies in the school curriculum and the establishment of Peace Cities •Our moves towards peaceful resolution of past
injustices to Tangata Whenua and other ethnic communities

•Our nuclear-free status •Our government’s support for the UN. The Auckland Heritage Peace Walk Launch is Auckland’s welcome to the international participants in the World March. The walk will visit various peace landmarks around the central city, ending at St Matthew-in-the-City with performances, exhibits, music and speakers. Sites on the walk include: • Rainbow
Warrior mural, Marsden Wharf

• The Peace Place, Emily Place • Memorial – Tiananmen Square Massacre , Maclaurin Chapel, Princes St, • Albert Park – the band rotunda • Gateway sculpture, Victoria St • Suffragette mural, Khartoum Place. Local individuals and groups have endorsed the World March including: Helen Clark, Jim Anderton, Jacinda Ardern, Phil Goff, Phil Twyford, Sir Paul Reeves, Kerry
Prendergast, Dr Kate Dewes, Marion Hancock, Kevin Clements, Pauline Tangiora, Moana Manipoto, Yulia, Amnesty International, Greenpeace, Disarmament and Security Centre, The Peace Foundation, Oxfam, United Nations Association of NZ. We are seeking further endorsements as well as participation in the Auckland Heritage Peace Wal. Auckland co-ordinators for the volunteer team organising the Auckland
events: Audrey van Ryn: 368 1516 audrey@writeaway.co.nz and Wende Jowsey: wende@jowsey.com www.worldmarch.co.nz www.theworldmarch.org

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Is the super city a cover for privatisation? Source: TV3 – Auckland, as we all know, is a shambles. But when it becomes a super city it will be a mean, lean, council machine, worth roughly $28 billion. http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/25850.html

Gordon Campbell: The Afghan Marital Rape Law New Zealand has a special interest in the rape law that Hamid Karzai has reportedly sneaked into effect only days before the Afghan election on Thursday. http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/08/18/gordon-campbell-on-the-afghan-marital-rape-law/

Dissent: Anti-terror Police Monitor Fois Gras Potest “When a four person picket garners the attention of the anti-terror police, four uniformed officers, and private spies, there can be no other conclusion that Howard Broad was lying outright when he said that the police do not spy on legitimate political protests.” http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0908/S00192.htm

Drop the charges against political activists http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0908/S00184.htm

John Minto: MPs Caught Wallowing In The Trough Think back two weeks to the announcement by parliament’s speaker that travel costs of MPs would be released for us to get our first real insight into their expense claims. Now ask yourself why was it that, well before the announcement, the major …http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0908/S00121.htm

FOOD, FARMING AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Sustainability: utopian and scientific By Mark Burton – To make the move to a sustainable future where people are no longer threatened by an ecological catastrophe will require a number of things –- above all a strong and broad movement with effective and intelligent leadership and an accurate understanding of the current problems and how they can be overcome. Sadly, only some parts of
this constellation of forces are in place today. http://links.org.au/node/1198

CLIMATE JUSTICE: RED IS THE NEW GREEN – (Book review by Jeff White) The Global Fight for Climate Justice: Anticapitalist Responses to Global Warming and Environmental Destruction Canadian ecosocialist activist/writer Ian Angus has done a fine job of selecting and presenting the contents of this anthology, as well as writing and translating several of the items himself. The book fills a real
need in the small but growing corpus of ecosocialist literature in English, by taking anticapitalist environmentalism out of academia and into the streets. Continued: http://www.socialistvoice.ca/?p=526

REVIEWS

Whoa, ‘District 9’ Is a Really Good Sci-Fi Action Flick http://www.alternet.org/movies/142025/whoa%2C_%27district_9%27_is_a_really_good_sci-fi_action_flick/

CUBA

The Untold Story of the Cuban Five: Forbidden Heroes By RICARDO ALARCON de QUESADA http://www.counterpunch.org/alarcon08112009.html

Fresh Economy: Cuba: Gardening Its Way Out Of Crisis Sunlight brightens the paved streets and historic buildings of Havana, Cuba, bouncing off the tents of vendors and the tin drums of a street band. Once stricken by poverty and inequality, the city has slowly blossomed as a result of the bustling enterprise. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0908/S00292.htm

HONDURAS

Honduran police seize university after 2nd day of violence: Thousands of protesters calling for the return of deposed President Manuel Zelaya clashed with police Wednesday for the second day in a row, but Honduras’ de facto government showed no willingness to allow Zelaya to return. http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/20090813/wl_mcclatchy/3290761

PACIFIC

Petition: Appeal for the immediate release of USTKE trade unionists in Kanaky http://links.org.au/node/1199

Reports on Tonga’s shipping tragedy, PINA and other issues are posted on the PMC niusblog: http://www.pacificmediaceantre.blogspot.com

The Fiji Phenomenon: It’s a Human Rights and Environmental Nightmare, So Why Is It the #1 Imported Bottled Water in the US? http://www.alternet.org/water/141937/the_fiji_phenomenon%3A_it%27s_a_human_rights_and_environmental_nightmare%2C_so_why_is_it_the_#1_imported_bottled_water_in_the_us/

PAKISTAN

Destroying Pakistan to Make It Safe http://www.wrmea.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3010

How America Is Funding Corruption in Pakistan http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/08/11/assisting_corruption

PALESTINE

Illegal Invasion: Israel’s Ongoing Arrest And Intimidation Campaign – Hundreds of Palestinians, Israeli, Spanish, French and other international supporters, responded today to the Popular Committee’s call to resist the Wall and to show solidarity with the Bil’in prisoners.

UK

How the former PM has reaped millions: Tony Blair was recruited by JP Morgan Chase in January last year. The bank refuses to say how much he is paid for his part-time job, but the sum is reckoned to be more than £500,000 a year. http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/markets/article.html?in_article_id=489457&in_page_id=3

‘Evil and Orwellian’ – America’s right turns its fire on NHS – Datablog: How does the NHS compare to US healthcare? http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/11/nhs-united-states-republican-health

USA

Immigrant Detainees Staging Hunger Strikes to Protest Deplorable Confinement – The South Louisiana Correctional Center has seen five hunger strikes in one month, as detainees are denied medical care and access to legal libraries. http://www.alternet.org/rights/141840/immigrant_detainees_staging_hunger_strikes_to_protest_deplorable_confinement/

Why Are Cops Tasering Grandmothers, Pregnant Women and Kids? http://www.alternet.org/rights/142006/why_are_cops_tasering_grandmothers%2C_pregnant_women_and_kids/