#321: Antiwar action March 20 (Bring shoes!)

GLOBALPEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND
NEWSLETTER No.321, March 4, 2010

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Saturday, March 20, 12 noon, USC onsulate, Citbank Building, Customs St, City
Protest the continuing occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Mark the anniversary of the Iraq invasion 7 years ago. Demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all foreign troops, including and especially the NZ SAS and other military in Afghanistan. (Bring and old pair of shoes!)

FILMS TO SEE

There is an EXCELLENT film, written up in the NZH Sat and on now on at the documentary film festival DEFAMATION. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! Screenings in AKL(Rialto Newmarket) Sunday March 7 @ 8.30pm and Wed 10 Mar 7pm. In WGTN Angelikaat Reading Cinemas Courtenay. Sun 14/3 @ 4.40pm Sun 21/3 @ 8.25pm and Wed 24/3@7.10pm.

Media ANZACS – a film everybody in the Asia-Pacific region should seehttp://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/media-anzacs-a-film-everybody-in-the-asia-pacific-region-should-see/

WHAT’SON IN AUCKLAND

Saturday, March 6, 2pm, QEII Square, Outside Downtown Shopping Centre, cnr Queen and Customs St
Rally for Justice and Peace in PALESTINE On the First Saturday of Every Month.Come support JUSTICE and PEACE based on: 1. Ending 42+ years of Israeli Occupation of the West Bank & Gaza Strip (including East Jerusalem); 2.Ensuring the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees; 3. Sharing Jerusalem; 4.Vacating all settlement colonies in Israeli occupied Palestine; 5. Dismantling Israel’s annexation / apartheid wall in occupied Palestine. http://www.palestine.org.nz

Sunday, March 7, 10am, 505 B Pt Chevalier Road, Pt Chevalier.
WORKING WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTRE CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST. You are invited tojoin with the WWRC in celebrating International Women’s Day with a heartytwo course breakfast. Cost $25.00 per person includes your first glass ofbubbly. Enjoy good company, good food and a great place to meet. To pre book tickets contact Ros Hiini, WWRC Organiser, 09 379 7906 or 021 299 2921, or wwrc@ihug.co.nz

Monday, March 8, 5.30pm, Outside Mobil Petrol Station cnr K’Rd and Ponsonby Rds
"International Women’s Day Flash Mob against Domestic Violence". To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=10150094030140371&mid=1f78b2dG227fb72bG433dac8G7

Tuesday, March 9, 7.30pm, B10, Library Basement, Auckland University
Mariem Hassan: Voice of the Sahara”: Learn about the conflict in Western Sahara and the independence struggle of the Saharawi people through the life ofMariem Hassan. After more than 30 years of performing, Mariem is hailed as thetrue voice of the Western Sahara. Her people are Saharawis, living in exile within Algeria since Spain abandoned the Western Sahara in 1975 and their desert lands were claimed by Morocco. Within the Algerian refugee camps, women singers are recognized as pillars of strength, humanizing the harsh living conditions through their powerful songs of hope. Come along to learn more about the conflict, as well as watch a documentary on Mariem with a chance to ask herquestion about her life and country afterwards. Hosted by the Auckland University Students Association.

Wednesday, March 10, 7-9pm, Garden Room, Grey Lynn Community Centre,510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn
Pelenise Pilitati, Pacific leader speaks on the need for action on climatechange – David Clendon, Green MP and Susi Newborn, Oxfam climate campaignerwill also speak briefly. Pelenise Alofa Pilitati is a respected communityleader in Kiribati, one of the Pacific nations most threatened by climatechange. Pelenise is also the Manager of Kauaoki Foundation Enterprise thatspecialises in Health Food and promoting health to the community in theKiribati Islands. Much of her work is focussed on helping her community dealwith the effects of erosion and salination of gardens on Kiribita. Pelenise travelled to Copenhagen and has advocated for action on climate change around the world. She will speak about the effects of climate change on Kiribati.

Saturday, March 13, 3pm and again at 7pm, Tivoli
A new drama group on Waiheke is putting on the Caryl Churchill play: SevenJewish Children, a play for Gaza on Saturday March 13, at 3 and 7pm. Written during the early 2009 Israeli assault on Gaza it was performed at the Royal Court Theatre London in Feb 2009. Since then in many countries. Banned by the BBC, shown in Tel Aviv, withdrawn from some theatres in Canada and Australia.It is a short play focusing on the slide from oppressed to oppressor and on the struggle of parents re telling their children about the atrocities of their past and their present. It is very powerful. We are using moving image clips between each of the 7 segments to contextualise the voices, with footage of the massacre of Gaza for the last section. It is aimed at generating discussion.The playwright has stipulated that any proceeds go to Medical Aid forPalestinians (MAP). Ferries leave downtown terminal on the hour during the day.TIVOLI books | art | films, 2/118 Ocean View Rd, Pendragon Mall, Oneroa,Waiheke Island. +64 9 372 3361 – 021 175 2218; tivolinz@gmail.com http://www.TivoliNZ.com

Monday, March 15, 12-2pm, Taitamariki Hall, AuburnReserve, Auburn Street (at the end of Como Street) TAKAPUNA,North Shore
You are invited to a COMMUNITY MEETING On the Auckland Social Policy Forum WithElizabeth Rowe and Dr Emma Davies • What is the government’sproposal for a new Auckland Social Policy Forum? • How can we influencethe Forum by this consultation? • How can collaboration and partnershipwork between community, local government and central government? •Elizabeth Rowe was the author of the research report for the Royal Commissionon Social Well Being for the Auckland Region. • Elizabeth was GeneralManager of the NZ Social Policy Agency. • Dr Emma Davies has worked for 20years in the interface between research, practice and policy in government andnongovernment sectors. • Emma is the Programme Director Social Developmentfor the Institute of Public Policy, AUT.

Tuesday, March 16, 12 noon, The Gallery, Civic Centre,Manukau
You are invited to a COMMUNITY MEETING On the Auckland Social Policy Forum WithElizabeth Rowe and Dr Emma Davies • What is the government’sproposal for a new Auckland Social Policy Forum? • How can we influencethe Forum by this consultation? • How can collaboration and partnershipwork between community, local government and central government? •Elizabeth Rowe was the author of the research report for the Royal Commissionon Social Well Being for the Auckland Region. • Elizabeth was GeneralManager of the NZ Social Policy Agency. • Dr Emma Davies has worked for 20years in the interface between research, practice and policy in government andnongovernment sectors. • Emma is the Programme Director Social Developmentfor the Institute of Public Policy, AUT. Details: http://www.passing-go.org

Tuesday, March 16, 12 noon, Design Theatre, Conference Centre,Building 423, 22 Symonds St, Aucklan
"Maori and the Future of Local Government". Speaqkers: lena Henry andRau Hoskins

Saturday, March 20, 12 noon, US Consulate, Citbank Building, CustomsSt, City
Protest the continuing occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Mark the anniversaryof the Iraq invasion 7 years ago. Demand the immediate and unconditionalwithdrawal of all foreign troops, including and especially the NZ SAS and othermilitary in Afghanistan. (Bring and old pair of shoes!)

Sunday, March 21, 7.30pm, Trades Hall. 147 Great North Rd, GreyLynn
EYEWITNESS TO A REVOLUTION IN NEPAL: Ben Peterson is a young Australianactivist who spent a year in Nepal witnessing first hand the revolutionarystruggle. He is touring NZ 21-26 March 2010.

Monday, March 22, 1pm, Function Room, (Over Quad Cafe), AucklandUniversity
EYEWITNESS TO A REVOLUTION IN NEPAL: Ben Peterson is a young Australianactivist who spent a year in Nepal witnessing first hand the revolutionarystruggle. He is touring NZ 21-26 March 2010.

Monday, April 5, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, GreyLynn
Peter Murnane, defendent in the Waihopai Ploughshares trial

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CLOSE WAIHOPAI SPYBASE NOW! SUPPORT THE DOMEBUSTERS!
The trial of the Waihopai Ploughshares team is set to begin inWellington on 8 March 2010, and the Wellington Ploughshares Support Group nowhas a range of activities planned to take place before and during the trial.This message is to provide information about the planned activities, as well asto invite you and your organisation to become involved – wherever you arebased, you do not need to be in Wellington to support Waihopai Ploughsharesbefore and during the trial. There are eight sections below: some backgroundinformation; ways you can support Waihopai Ploughshares wherever you are; the’Let’s shut down Waihopai’ CD; a reminder about media spokespersons andstatements; details of the weekly planning meetings in Wellington; the Waihopaispy base display at Wellington central library; an outline of events inWellington around the trial; and the Waihopai Ploughshares’ statement. Thismessage is available online at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/plsupport.htm

A WEEK OF ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE DOMEBUSTERS

Below are the details of the Waihopai Ploughshares support events takingplace in Wellington from Saturday, 6th to Friday, 12th March. The WaihopaiPloughshares publicity poster, which includes an outline of the support events,is available online at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/pltrial.pdf- please distribute it as widely as possible both electronically and in printform. There are also specific flyers or posters available for some of theevents below (see the link/s beside the event) – your help in distributingthose, electronically and in print form, would also be appreciated. TheWaihopai Ploughshares trial begins on International Women’s Day, and women’sgroups may be particularly interested in helping to circulate the flyer for theInternational Women’s Day event. Thank you. This message is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/pltrial.htm- any updates or changes to the schedule will be added to that page as soon asthey are available. Information about other ways you can support WaihopaiPloughshares is at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/plsupport.htm

What’s on now
Waihopai Ploughshares support planning meetings: Waihopai Ploughshares supportplanning meetings, for everyone interested in organising around the trial, areheld every Thursday, at the US Embassy, corner Fitzherbert Terrace and MurphyStreet, Thorndon, Wellington (in the bus or under the gazebo in the park ifraining) – shared meal and planning meeting from 6pm to 7.30pm, followed byrevolutionary Bible studies. If you are unable to attend the meetings, but areinterested in becoming involved, please contact the Wellington PloughsharesSupport Group c/o email pma

Waihopai spy base display at the Wellington central library: the Anti-BasesCampaign’s Waihopai spy base display is currently set up in the Wellingtoncentral library entrance foyer (until Sunday, 28 February), and it will bethere again from Monday, 8 March, until Sunday, 14 March. The Anti-BasesCampaign flyer is at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/abc2010fl.pdf

Schedule of events from 6 to 12 March
Unless stated otherwise, events are in Katherine Mansfield Park, organised byWaihopai Ploughshares, contact email ploughshares08@gmail.com and theWellington Ploughshares Support Group, contact c/o pma@xtra.co.nz

Saturday, 6 March
Invitation: From 5pm, all friends of Waihopai Ploughshares are invited to be inKatherine Mansfield Park (corner Fitzherbert Terrace and Hobson Terrace, nextto US Embassy) for the following six nights, to pray and remember the victimsof war and reflect on NZ’s complicity in US-led wars. Please bringbedroll, sleeping bag, musical instruments and food to share. Powhiri at 5pm,shared meal at 6pm, then speakers and discussion until Taiz prayer at 9pm.Organised by Waihopai Ploughshares. The A4 poster with this invitation, andevents outline, is at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/pltrial.pdf

Sunday, 7 March
~ 10am – Mass.
~ 1.30pm – The Way of Peace with the Wellington Catholic Peacemakers: We inviteyou to join our pilgrimage for peace, we will gather at the Suzanne AubertCompassion Centre, 132 Tory Street, at 1.30pm.The Way of Peace will linkpeace-related memorials and historic sites from the Suzanne Aubert soup kitchento eventually meeting with the supporters and members of the WaihopaiPloughshares at Katherine Mansfield Park. In the tradition of the Stations ofthe Cross processions and religious pilgrimages, during the Way of Peace, theCatholic Peacemakers will pause for reflection at several Wellington locations.Following a brief introduction at each memorial, participants will observe ashort moment of silence, song and prayer. As we walk and stop to pause at eachmemorial of Peace, we may reflect on "What steps am I willing to take forPeacemaking and Justice?" "Not everyone is called to do a Ploughshares action.Not everyone is called to commit civil disobedience. But everyone is called todo something for the disarmament of the world. Everyone is called to work forthe liberation of the oppressed, justice for the poor, non-violence in place inthis disastrous world of violence." (Fr John Dear SJ, On the Road to Peace,November 2009). Organised by Wellington Catholic Peacemakers, contactlinks@actrix.co.nz An A4 flyer with the full route of the Way of Peace, detailsof how to get there, what to bring, and background information is at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/wcpmwalk.pdfa map of the route is at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/wcpmmap.jpgand an A5 flyer plus map is at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/wcpmwalka5.pdf
~ 5pm – Ploughshares liturgy service
~ 9pm – Taiz prayer

Monday, 8 March
~ 8.30am – Ploughshares supporters rally: gather at the Cenotaph,corner Bowen Street and Lambton Quay; silent procession to District Court, 43 -49 Ballance Street, at 9 am; then vigil outside the court, the trial starts at10am. Jointly organised by Anti-Bases Campaign, contact cafca@chch.planet.org.nz WellingtonPloughshares Support Group and Peace Movement Aotearoa, contact pma@xtra.co.nz
~ 1 to 2pm – Picket and vigil, with space for those who wish to pray or standin silence, at the GCSB Headquarters, Freyberg House, entrance via StPaul’s Square next to National Library, 58 Molesworth Street. Jointlyorganised by Anti-Bases Campaign, contact cafca@chch.planet.org.nz WellingtonPloughshares Support Group and Peace Movement Aotearoa, contactpma@xtra.co.nz
~ 5.30pm – Women Say NO to War and Spy Bases: Come along to the peacefulprotest on International Women’s Day to add your voice to the call of womenaround the world who are saying NO to war and YES to peace, and to mark thefirst day of the Waihopai Ploughshares trial. Join us at 5.30pm at the GCSB /Defence Force Headquarters, corner Aitken and Mulgrave Streets, then proceedingalong Mulgrave Street to the US embassy at 6pm. Wear something pink if you can,and bring pink streamers or ribbons, photos, messages, cardboard or paper peacedoves, or wool to decorate the GCSB / Defence Force HQ and US embassy fence;something to make a noise with – pot and spoon, drum, your voice – during thetime of anger; flowers or candles to leave at each location during the time ofmourning; and a poem or reading to share during the time of reflection …. andyour own banner or placard if you wish. All women and children welcome.Organised by Peace Movement Aotearoa and Women Support Waihopai Ploughshares,contact pma@xtra.co.nz An A4 poster for this event is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/iwd2010.pdf
~ 9pm – Taiz prayer

Tuesday, 9 March
~ 1 to 2pm – Picket and vigil, with space for those who wish to pray or standin silence, at the US Embassy, Fitzherbert Terrace. Jointly organised byAnti-Bases Campaign, contact cafca@chch.planet.org.nz Wellington PloughsharesSupport Group and Peace Movement Aotearoa, contact pma@xtra.co.nz
~ 5.30pm – Stations of the Cross: the Stations of the Cross is an old Christianpractice of remembering how Christ died. It involves stopping at differentplaces (usually inside a church) to remember the different moments of Christ’strial and crucifixion. The practice is also a remembrance of the political,economic, religious, judicial and imperial powers that condemned Christ todeath. A group of Christians committed to social justice will lead a Stationsof the Cross through the streets of Wellington to reflect on how suchinstitutions still operate to condemn whole nations and peoples to death. Thewalk will stop at sites and institutions that can be used to justify war andoppression. The group will be carrying a cross and will start at 5.30pm at theDistrict Court, then will walk via Treasury and the Reserve Bank, the Cenotaph,parliament, cathedrals, Defence / GCSB Building, to the US Embassy. At eachStation there will be a short Bible reading, a reflection on the role of eachinstitution and a song. Organised by the Wellington Ploughshares Support Group.Full deatils of this event, including the route, will be available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/pltrial.htmsoon.
~ 9pm – Taiz prayer

Wednesday, 10 March
~ 1 to 2pm – Picket and vigil, with space for those who wish to pray or standin silence, at the British High Commission, 44 Hill Street. Jointly organisedby Anti-Bases Campaign, contact cafca@chch.planet.org.nz WellingtonPloughshares Support Group and Peace Movement Aotearoa, contactpma@xtra.co.nz
~ 7pm – ‘Waihopai: The Spybase, The Wars, The Trial’, public meeting at StJohn’s conference centre, corner Willis and Dixon Streets. Speakers are: MurrayHorton, Anti-Bases Campaign; Moana Cole, Ploughshares; Bryan Law, ChristiansAgainst All Terrorism (Australia); and Keith Locke, Green MP; facilitated byEdwina Hughes, Peace Movement Aotearoa. Organised by Anti-Bases Campaign,contact cafca@chch.planet.org.nz An A4 poster for this event is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/abc2010.pdf
~ 9pm – Taiz prayer

Thursday, 11 March
~ 1 to 2pm – Picket and vigil, with space for those who wish to pray or standin silence, at the Australian High Commission, 72 – 76 Hobson Street. Jointlyorganised by Anti-Bases Campaign, contact cafca@chch.planet.org.nz WellingtonPloughshares Support Group and Peace Movement Aotearoa, contactpma@xtra.co.nz
~ 7 to 10pm – Celebration concert

Friday, 12 March
~ 1 to 2pm – Picket and vigil, with space for those who wish to pray or standin silence, at the Canadian High Commission, 125 The Terrace. Jointly organisedby Anti-Bases Campaign, contact cafca@chch.planet.org.nz WellingtonPloughshares Support Group and Peace Movement Aotearoa, contact pma@xtra.co.nz

PEACE RESEARCHER ISSUE # 39 JANUARY 2010
http://www.converge.org.nz/abc/prcont39.html

– Full Speed Ahead Into The Quicksand! NZ Blindly Follows US IntoObama’s War In Afghanistan – by Murray Horton
– SIS Seeks To Justify Its Existence: Asks Universities To Keep An Eye Out For“Weapons Of Mass Destruction” – by Murray Horton
– Resisting Talisman Sabre – by Jessica Morrison
– US Bases In Okinawa: Japan’s New Premier Challenges Obama – byBob Leonard
– Mercenaries Inc. Private Armies Profit From America’s Wars – byMurray Horton
– Systematic Pressures Behind US Military And Covert Action – by SagarSanyal
– Organiser’s Report – by Murray Horton
– CAFCA/ABC Organiser Account 2008/09 – by Bob Leonard
– Reviews by Murray Horton, Bob Leonard & Jeremy Agar: “Looking ForAnswers: A Life Of Elsie Locke”, by Maureen Birchfield; “The SpyWho Tried To Stop A War: Katharine Gun And The Secret Plot To Sanction The IraqInvasion”, by Marcia and Thomas Mitchell; “Spies For Hire” byTim Shorrock;
– Obituaries by Murray Horton & Jim Consedine Ray Scott; Death In TheFamily: John Gannaway

STUDENTS ARE WORKERS- WORKERS ARE STUDENTS!
Unite on Campus spreads its wings. Poverty and debt force many students intoworking their way through college, mostly in low paid jobs on or just above theminimum wage. In response, Unite Clubs are being set up on campus in theUniversity of Auckland, AUT, MIT, UNITEC, Massey Albany and in Polys and Unisthroughout the country, to organize students who are pro worker and pro union.The biggest task over the next two months will be to gather tens of thousandsof names in the lecture halls and on campaign stalls for the Campaign for aLiving Wage referendum. We need students, campus workers and academic staff tohelp us build these clubs and harvest the support that is out there. Are you onone of the campuses above? Would you be free to help on the stalls during Oweek and after? Can you organize for a speaker to come to your class or lecturetheatre? Please contact Living Wage Campaign Organiser Joe Carolan at 029 44 55702, email joseph@unite.org.nzThefinal phase – The Campaign for a Living Wage is now entering its finalphase, and is stepping up a gear or three! There’s been a huge growth ofsupporters on the campuses http://www.unite-news.org.nz/palpatine.html

LIVING WAGE PETITION – Stalls in your area:
AUCKLAND: Contact Joseph – 029 4455702 joseph@unite.org.nz
WHANGAREI: Contact Vaughan- 021 041 5082, email: svpl@xtra.co.nz
HAMILTON: Contact Jared- 029 494 9863 email: jared@unite.org.nz
COROMANDEL and THAMES: Contact Levi- 027 7746 278, email: whukoro@yahoo.co.nz
ROTORUA: Contact Bernie- email: bernieh@clear.net.nz , 07 345 9853
PALMERSTON NORTH: Contact Gerard- email: gerard@unite.org.nz , 06 3297 737
WELLINGTON: Contact Omar on 029 455 5789, email: omar@unite.org.nz.
CHRISTCHURCH: Contact Matt – 029 201 3837 email: matthew@unite.org.nz
DUNEDIN: Contact Chris- 027 781 0371, email: mr_matahaere@hotmail.com

ROGER AWARD WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED IN WELLINGTON ON THURSDAY, MARCH11
The winner/s of the 2009 Roger Award for the Worst TransnationalCorporation Operating in Aotearoa/New Zealand will be announced at an event onThursday March 11, Southern Cross Bar, 39 Abel Smith St, Wellington. Doors open5.30pm, with some food provided, and presentations will get underway from 6pm.(No charge.) Speakers: Dr Christine Dann (writer and researcher from BanksPeninsula; Roger Award chief judge) and Murray Horton (Campaign Against ForeignControl of Aotearoa). There will also be musical performances by Don Franks andJessie Moss. The finalists are: ANZ; BNZ; Infratil; Newmont; Rio TintoAluminium NZ; Rymans; Telecom; Transpacific; Westpac. For details of the RogerAward itself, check out www.cafca.org.nz(follow the Roger Award links from the Homepage). The Roger Award is organisedby CAFCA and GATT Watchdog. For more info: contact Kane on 021-186-3430 or kane.oconnell@gmail.com .

THE WESTERN SAHARA SINGER MARIEM HASSAN WILL BE COMING TO NZ TOPARTICIPATE IN WOMAD 12-14 MARCH 2010
Mariem Hassan (Western Sahara): After more than 30 years of performing, MariemHassan is hailed as the true voice of the Western Sahara. Her people areSaharawis, living in exile within Algeria since Spain abandoned the WesternSahara in 1975 and their desert lands were claimed by Morocco. Within theAlgerian refugee camps, women singers are recognised as pillars of strength,humanising the harsh living conditions through their powerful songs of hope.Mariem sings in hassania, the language of her dessert homeland and deemedclosest to classical Arabic. During the 1970s, Mariem joined forces with Matirel Uali Mustafa Sayed (more popularly known as El Uali), touringinternationally with his band until she recorded her first solo album, Deseos,during 2005. In concert, her intense voice sits atop two electric guitars(substituting for the rustic tidinit) and two tebals (ground-drums played bywomen), melding ancient spiritual sounds with whispers of blues, reggae andother current music, driving her music into the 21st century. Different dances,performed by the percussionists, enrich a repertoire based on traditional andspiritual songs. Her solo fame has been further enhanced by a documentary film,Mariem Hassan, The Voice of the Sahara, released in 2008 at the FisaharaFestival. Websites: http://www.myspace.com/saharafree
http://womad.co.nz/womad_index.html

EYEWITNESS TO A REVOLUTION IN NEPAL – NZ SPEAKING TOUR BY BENPETERSON, 21-26 MARCH 2010
Ben Peterson is a young Australian socialist who spent one year in Nepal inclose association with the revolutionary forces who recently overthrewfeudalism and are today confronting capitalism and imperialism. Ben is crossingthe Tasman for a speaking tour of New Zealand from 21-26 March. To find outmore about Ben’s experiences and the Nepal Revolution go to Ben’s blog: http://maobadiwatch.blogspot.com/Activists from the Workers Party and Socialist Worker are organising the tour,with meetings planned in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurchand Dunedin. We’re inviting other interested groups and individuals to supportand promote Ben’s tour. If you would like to help out, contact these regionaland national coordinators: Auckland – Daphna Whitmore, wpnz(at)clear.net.nz.Hamilton – Jared Philips, jared(at)unite.org.nz, 029-4949 863. Rotorua – BernieHornfeck, bernieh(at)clear.net.nz, (07)345 9853. Wellington – Alastair Reith,alastair.reith(at)gmail.com, 027-711 9591. Christchurch – Phil Ferguson,philp.ferguson(at)canterbury.ac.nz, 021-443 948. Dunedin – Andrew Tait,andrewmtait(at)hotmail.com, 027-606 9549. National coordination/publicity -Vaughan Gunson, svpl(at)xtra.co.nz, 021-0415 082. As meeting details arefinalised a full tour itinerary will be circulated. You can join the Facebookgroup: BenPeterson NZ Speaking Tour. More information and links will be posted there.A PDF publicity flyer can be downloaded here.LINKS ON THE NEPAL REVOLUTION: Mike Ely, Eyes on the Maobadi: FourReasons Nepal’s Revolution Matters. Introductory PDF pamphlet – ARevolution at the Brink: Stand with Nepal. More in depth PDF pamphlet – KasamaArticles: On the Maobadi and the Crisis in Nepal.

2010 NATIONAL PEACE WORKSHOPS: ‘EXPOSING AND OPPOSING MILITARISM ANDMILITARISATION’ – FRIDAY, 16 APRIL TO SUNDAY, 18 APRIL 2010
This is the initial notice to let you know that the 2010 National PeaceWorkshops (NPW) – the national gathering for people interested in peace, socialjustice, and human rights – will be at the Quaker Settlement in Whanganui fromFriday, 16 April to Sunday, 18 April. The theme of the 2010 NPW is ‘Exposingand opposing militarism and militarisation’ and the focus is on sharing storiesand experiences, workshops and participatory discussion with contributors whohave experience of community and individual non-violent resistance tomilitarism and militarisation in Aotearoa and overseas. The programme willinclude campaign updates from peace and related groups, follow up to theWaihopai Ploughshares trial, and the Peace Movement Aotearoa Annual GeneralMeeting.
Information about the programme, venue, accommodation, registration and traveloptions will be circulated in the last week of February and will be availableon the NPW web page at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/npw10.htmIf you, or your group, is interested in contributing a campaign update,leaflets or other resources, a donation, or being a co-sponsor of the 2010 NPW,please read the sections below. Campaign updates and resources from peacegroups: if you would like to update NPW participants on what your group iscurrently working on, space is set aside in the programme for campaign updates,but it is helpful if we can know as soon as possible what topic/s you wouldlike to cover. You are welcome to bring leaflets or other resources to the NPW,or if no-one from your group is able to attend, we can take them for you(details of when any material for the NPW needs to be in the Peace MovementAotearoa office will be included in the NPW update at the end of February).
Donations and co-sponsorship: whether or not you are planningon attending the NPW, if you are able to send a donation to assist with thecosts that would be gratefully received. Because these NPW are residential, weare providing substantially subsidised rates for low income participants toensure that anyone who wishes to attend is not prevented from doing so becauseof the cost. Donations will be used to help with the subsidised rates; and, aswith previous NPW, if there are any surplus funds they will be held in trust byPeace Movement Aotearoa for the next NPW. There is also the opportunity forpeace groups to co-sponsor the NPW: co-sponsorship comprises a minimum donationof $100, and in return co-sponsoring organisations are listed on publicitymaterial, on the 2010 NPW web page, and in any published report. If you areinterested in being a NPW co-sponsor, please let us know as soon as possible.Donation and / or co-sponsorship cheques should be made payable to ‘PeaceMovement Aotearoa: Special Projects’ and sent to the address below. Pleaseremember to include your name, address, and organisation (where applicable) ifyou would like a receipt.
Contact details: Peace Movement Aotearoa, PO Box 9314,Wellington 6141. Tel (04) 382 8129, email pma@xtra.co.nz The National Peace Workshopsweb page is at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/npw10.htm

BLACKBALL MAYDAY AND OPENING OF ’08 MEMORIAL AND RESOURCE CENTRE
May 1st. Registration form and further information, http://www.blackballmuseum.org.nz

JUSTICE AND LIBERATION: THE ROAD TO PEACE – FILIPINO PROGRESSIVELEADER TO TOUR NZ LATE 2010 – APPEAL FOR FUNDS
Luis Jalandoni is the International Representative of the National DemocraticFront of the Philippines (NDF), a post that he has held since 1977, and since1994 he has been the Chairperson of the NDF’s Negotiating Panel for peacetalks with the Government of the Philippines. The NDF is the coalition ofseveral underground groups, including the Communist Party of the Philippinesand its New People’s Army, which has been waging a war of liberationthroughout the Philippines for more than 40 years, making it one of the longestrunning armed struggles in the world. The country desperately needs peace withjustice and security, so resolving this people’s war is central to that.Luis will be accompanied by his wife Coni Ledesma, who will also be speaking.She is a member of the NDF Negotiating Panel for peace talks; and is theInternational Spokesperson of MAKIBAKA, a revolutionary women’s groupwhich belongs to the NDF. This is the first time we’ve had two speakerstogether, let alone such high powered ones. We are appealing for funds. PSNAwill underwrite the tour, but we definitely need financial help because we arehosting two people. The amount needed is at least $10,000. Two internationalfares from Europe will be the biggest cost. We will keep their domestic travelcosts as cheap as possible (all accommodation will be in private homes). Pleasemake cheques to PSNA, Box 2450, Christchurch, with a note saying that it is forthe Jalandoni tour. Or, we will supply our bank account details upon request.cafca

JOIN THE 2010 NATIONAL ELECTIONS BRIGADE TO VENEZUELA SEPTEMBER 17 -28, 2010
The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network’s brigades to Venezuela are aonce-in-a-lifetime experience – the opportunity to see first-hand an unfoldingrevolution that is not only radically transforming the lives of Venezuelans,but challenging the greed, exploitation and destructiveness of globalcapitalism by showing that a better world is possible. A special feature of theSeptember 2010 brigade will be observing Venezuela’s vigorous democracyin action. The brigade will coincide with Venezuela’s next NationalAssembly elections, on September 26th, enabling brigadistas to observe the lastweek of campaigning – including the traditionally huge election ralliesheld on the weekend before – and polling day itself. As well as observingthe national elections, brigade participants will experience Venezuela’sparticipatory democracy at work, with visits to communal councils and communes.They will also visit worker-run factories and cooperatives; free, high-qualitypublic health and education services; Indigenous-run sustainable developmentprograms; and community controlled media stations. During the 10 days,brigadistas will have the opportunity to speak to a wide range of grassrootsorganisations, community activists, trade unions and government representativesabout the radical changes being implemented by the Venezuelan people. The 2010national elections brigade is the 11th solidarity tour to Venezuela organisedby the AVSN. Reports and photos from previous AVSN brigades are posted athttp://www.venezuelasolidarity.org. We are also happy to put you in touch withpeople who have participated in AVSN brigades, if you would like to find outmore.
Brigade registration and costs
The deadline for registering for the 2010 National Elections brigadeis July 1, 2010. To express interest in participating and obtain a registrationform, please contact brigades@venezuelasolidarity.orgParticipants will need to book their own international airfares, but the AVSNcan help with advice. Accommodation, transport and English-Spanish translationwithin Venezuela will be organised for all brigade participants. You will needto budget for a total cost of approximately $4000. This will cover:international return airfares and taxes (approximately $2500 from Sydney);accommodation (twin-share basis); transport and basic food while you are inVenezuela; and the brigade registration fee ($500 for workers, $300 forstudents or pensioners). For more information, email brigades@venezuelasolidarity.orgor phone Lisa Macdonald +61 413 031 108, Jim McIlroy +61 423 741 734 or RobertoJorquera +61 425 182 994.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"If certain acts and violations of treaties are crimes, they are crimeswhether the United States does them or whether Germany does them. We are notprepared to lay down a rule of criminal conduct against others which we wouldnot be willing to have invoked against us." ~Justice Robert H. Jackson,Chief Prosecutor, Nuremberg War Crimes Trials

BEST ONTHE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Valuing The Young – The right’s ideological crusade to bring backyouth rates http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/03/valuing-the-young/

‘Mole’ passed scripts to SIS http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3381367/Mole-passed-scripts-to-SIS

Playing Aussie Rules on Defence – Why the Rapid Reaction Force would do moreharm than good to the ANZAC spirit. http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/03/playing-aussie-rules-on-defence/

Gordon Campbell: On David Garrett’s Sterilisation Plan (And DivisionsWithin Hamas) David Garrett’s bizarre suggestion that people who abusechildren should be given a $5,000 incentive to get themselves sterilized is socrass that one hardly knows where to begin. http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/03/04/campbell-garrett%e2%80%99s-sterilisation-plan-and-hamas/

John Minto: Telecom – Bastard Offspring Of The Market I’m not justtalking about events of the past month but the tale of the company and thecountry since Telecom was privatised in 1990. Telecom is struggling for thesame reason our national economy is struggling. Market values have replaced thevalues of service and citizenship. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00038.htm

The search & surveillance bill will turn NZ into a police state (MR NEWSRAW) http://www.guerillamedia.co.nz/content/search-surveillance-bill-will-turn-nz-police-state-mr-news-raw

A small throng of Radio New Zealand listeners gathered outside ParliamentThursday to protest the Government’s funding freeze for the state-ownedbroadcaster. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00214.htm

Scott Hamilton: In Defence Of Brainwashing It is unusual for the details ofan academic course to become a hot topic of conversation in the blogopshere,but over the last week or so a paper offered by Mohsen al Attar at theUniversity of Auckland’s Law School has engaged the attention… http://books.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/24/in-defence-of-brainwashing/

Gordon Campbell: The Government’s Environmental Credibility ProblemsIn Canterbury Reportedly, Ronald Reagan’s aides would go into in panicmode whenever the avuncular President started to ad lib a few additional pointsof clarification. The aim may have been candour, but the remarks tended to givea terrifying glimpse into the abyss behind the mask… http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/23/the-govt%e2%80%99s-environmental-credibility-in-canterbury/

Susan St John: John Key’s Claims On Saving Money As Tapu Misa noted in theNZ Herald (15th Feb) , the victims of the global crisis are now apparently toblame for their own misery. Key states that many of them "lack the will ordesire to work as hard for their living as their fellow New Zealanders"… http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00171.htm

REVIEWS

Watching Balibo in Jakarta – Packed screenings of the controversial filmabout the deaths of five Australian journalists in East Timor continue, despitean official ban http://insideindonesia.org/content/view/1260/47/

Challenging History: Why the Oppressed Must Tell Their Own Story http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=15766

Behind the Wall – Rich Wiles is a photographic artist who has been livingand working in Palestine for some years. His photographic work has been shownaround Europe, the US, Australia and in Palestine itself. Since 2006 he hasbeen writing from Occupied Palestine under the title Behind the Wall. Much ofthis work is based in and around the refugee camps in Palestine, highlightingdaily life and memories of refugees who still live in forced exile for over 60years since Al Nakba (The Catastrophe). http://www.richwiles.com

If I Am Not For Myself: Journey of an Anti-Zionist Jew http://www.mikemarqusee.com/?p=898

Ravitch Offers Passionate Defense of America’s Public School System http://www.nysun.com/opinion/ravitch-offers-passionate-defense-of-americas/86906/

Filmmaker Michael Moore on Capitalism: A Love Story – Video – What is theprice that America – and the rest of the world – pays for its love ofcapitalism? http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24902.htm

FOOD, FARMING AND THE ENVIRONMENT

If Fossil Fuel Reserves Rise Carbon Should Be Left Where It Belongs: In TheGround By George Monbiot http://www.countercurrents.org/monbiot260210.htm

From Copenhagen to Port-au-Prince – The planet’s fate balances on a knifeedge, two cities on either side. Which offers hope? You may be surprised. http://www.aworldtowin.net/resources/CopenhagenPortPrince.html

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

Bringing subprime sexy back – "Liar’s Poker," Part II. In Michael Lewis’"The Big Short," the financial crisis finds the chronicler it deserves http://www.salon.com/technology/how_the_world_works/2010/03/01/the_big_short/print.html

From New York to Liberia: Vulture Funds Preying on African Debt: BBC VideoReport – Investigative journalist Greg Palast traveled to the West Africancountry of Liberia to investigate how vulture funds have been operating thereand why Liberia lost a $20 million case against two vulture funds in a Britishcourt. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24909.htm

AFGHANISTAN

Habeas Challenges For Bagram Prisoners By William Fisher – Four men who havebeen imprisoned for over a year – “some for almost two years ‘ – aregoing to U.S. federal court to challenge their detention at the notoriousBagram Air Base in Afghanistan http://www.countercurrents.org/fisher030310.htm

Shaker Aamer: Guantanamo’s Last British Detainee By Robert Verkaik – He wassupposed to return to Britain in 2007 – but Shaker Aamer is still beingheld inside Camp Delta. Who is this charismatic prisoner? And what happened tohim at the hands of MI5? Robert Verkaik reports http://www.countercurrents.org/verkaik030310.htm

Flexible Afghanistan War Objectives: And The Agony Grinds On By Ramzy Baroudhttp://www.countercurrents.org/baroud030310.htm

America’s 30 Year War On Afghanistan By: James A. Lucas – The U.S. was themain force that created the conditions that allowed the Mujahideen and theTaliban to come to power because of the support it gave 20 to 30 years ago tothe most violent and anti-democratic forces within Afghanistan who ruledruthlessly. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24897.htm

AUSTRALIA

NT nuclear waste dump — traditional owners say no http://www.greenleft.org.au/2010/828/42585

BOLIVIA

US protects Bolivian terrorist http://www.greenleft.org.au/2010/828/42590

CANADA

500 Artists Against Israeli Apartheid http://www.tadamon.ca/post/5824

Solidarity in Action with the Palestinians: Boycott, Divestment, Sanctionshttp://lifeonleft.blogspot.com/2010/02/solidarity-in-action-with-palestinians_28.html

CHILE

Chilean Military Takes Control of Quake-Hit Cities: Soldiers impose curfewsand guard shops in attempt to control looters as death toll from disasterincreases to more than 700 http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/01/chile-military-earthquake-cities-looting

Robertson: "God Even Angrier with Chile than Haiti": Pat Robertson todayargued that the 8.8 magnitude of the earthquake that struck Chile early thismorning should serve as a warning to the population that "God is even angrierwith them than he is with the people of Haiti." http://tinyurl.com/y9v8xgc

CUBA

BBC: Viewpoint – Cuban Five http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8537932.stm

Cuba: Strides Towards Sustainability http://www.socialistvoice.ca/?p=1047

BBC: Cuba’s health diplomacy – The Cuban Government trains thousands of foreign medical students every year. It also sends thousands of doctors abroad, to help developing countries. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/world_news_america/8537928.stm

GERMANY

Germany’s Left Party expelled from Bundestag: GERMANY’S LEFT Party was expelled from the Bundestag yesterday after its members held up signs bearing the names of Afghan civilians killed in a German-ordered airstrike last September. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2010/0227/1224265276499.html

GREECE

‘No self-restraint’ – Greek workers striking http://www.socialistreview.org.uk/article.php?articlenumber=11178

HAITI

HAITI _ Relief and Reconstruction Watch http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/relief-and-reconstruction-watch/

Haiti Emergency Relief Fund: `Haiti needs solidarity, not charity’ http://links.org.au/node/1537

Rebuild Haiti, This Time Green – And show the world how to move to a just and sustainable economy. An ‘Eco-conversion’ Manifesto. http://www.aworldtowin.net/resources/rebuildHaiti.html

Haiti’s Wounded Long to Heal By Scott Weinstein http://www.rabble.ca/news/2010/03/haiti%E2%80%99s-wounded-long-heal

Venezuela’s Anti-Hegemonic Aid In Haiti – Country comes under attack for bypassing the aid game By Kiraz Janicke http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/5153

Six Weeks On, Only 33 Percent Shelter Coverage (A Haiti Relief and Reconstruction Watch summary report) http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/relief-and-reconstruction-watch/six-weeks-on-only-33-percent-shelter-coverage/

INDIA

Protesters In Eastern India Battle Against Mining Giant Arcelor Mittal By Moushumi Basu http://www.countercurrents.org/basu030310.htm

Gujarat Pogrom: The End Of Impunity By Teesta Setalvad http://www.countercurrents.org/setalvad030310.htm

IRAQ

Remembering "The Highway Of Death" By Malcom Lagauche – Nineteen years ago, one of the most diabolical slaughters in war history occurred in Iraq. Despite the assurances of the Bush I regime that retreating Iraqi soldiers would not be attacked, just the opposite happened. Iraqi soldiers and civilians were massacred after Saddam Hussein called for their exit of Kuwait. More than 100,000 Iraqi soldiers were killed in five weeks, the majority during the 100-hour ground war http://www.countercurrents.org/lagauche280210.htm

KOREA

Abuse Of Immigrant Workers In South Korea By Ben McGrath – An Amnesty International report, entitled ‘Disposable labour: Rights of migrant workers in South Korea’ documents the abhorrent working conditions that immigrants face. The study, released last October, clearly establishes that while South Korea was one of the first Asian countries to formally recognise the rights of foreign migrant workers, its Employment Permit System (EPS) does nothing more than legitimise the brutal exploitation of cheap labour from poorer countries http://www.countercurrents.org/mcgrath270210.htm

NEPAL

The New York Times on Nepal – Skewing the Himalayan Revolution http://www.counterpunch.org/leupp02122010.html

Nepal: Interview with the UCPN (Maoist)’s Baburam Bhattarai: `We have not abandoned the revolutionary path’ http://links.org.au/node/1331

PALESTINE

John Pilger: A reckoning for Israel http://www.greenleft.org.au/2010/828/42569

Listen To The Heroes Of Israel By John Pilger – In his latest column for the New Statesman, John Pilger reminds us of the struggle by an extraordinary few in Israel against the repression and lawlessness of the occupation of Palestine. They are the inspiration to break the loud silence in the Jewish diaspora. http://www.countercurrents.org/pilger260210.htm

Knesset criminalises the commemoration of the "Nakba" http://www.middleeastmonitor.org.uk/news/middle-east/716-knesset-criminalises-the-commemoration-of-the-qnakbaq

ITISAPARTHEID.ORG is a grass roots effort made up of activists, students, academics, young people, older people, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Palestinians and Israelis. http://www.itisapartheid.org/

UK

Busting the straitjacket – Rolling back the new ‘common sense’ of spending cuts may seem like a difficult job, but it’s not impossible, says Mike Marqusee http://www.redpepper.org.uk/Busting-the-straitjacket

Brown’s Guantanamo, Miliband’s disgrace http://www.socialistreview.org.uk/article.php?articlenumber=11176

USA

Locked-out Mining Union Gets Solidarity Boost in Battle with Mineral Conglomerate Rio Tinto. http://www.alternet.org/story/145806/locked-out_mining_union_gets_solidarity_boost_in_battle_with_mineral_conglomerate_rio_tinto

Big banks getting bigger: 15 Years Ago, the Combined Assets of the 6 Biggest Banks Totaled 17% of GDP… By 2006, 55% … Now, 63% http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2010/03/15-years-ago-combined-assets-of-6.html

African Americans Have Seven Times Greater Chance Of Imprisonment By Sherwood Ross http://www.countercurrents.org/ross020310.htm

No Hire Power – The lousy, no good, just about worthless job bill by Dean Baker http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/no-hire-power

U.S. Economy Grinds To Halt As Nation Realizes Money Just A Symbolic, Mutually Shared Illusion http://www.theonion.com/content/news/u_s_economy_grinds_to_halt_as

YEMEN

Yemen: USA Are Fighting Against Democracy, Not Against Al-Qaeda Interview With Mohamed Hassan By Gregoire Lalieu & Michel Collon http://www.countercurrents.org/hassan280210.htm

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