#235: April 24 action against search & surveillance bill

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND
NEWSLETTER No. 325, April 15, 2010

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GPJA FORUM MONDAY MAY 3, 7.30PM, 147 GREAT NORTH RD, GREY LYNN
The “Voices of Resistance” forum will hear from people recently arrived back from the heart of two critical international struggles. Hela Rahman – is a young Iraqi student who has recently returned from a trip to Iraq visiting family and friends. She will give her assessment of Iraq alongside personal stories which bring home the reality of life under foreign military occupation. Sandy Gauntlett – is a New Zealander who has attended the mid-April Cochabamba International Climate Summit in Bolivia. Sandy will bring us up to date with international developments particularly as they affect indigenous peoples in the struggle against climate change. Gary Cranston from Climate Camp will talk about local action to challenge the powerful vested interests working for big business and we hope Sina Davis, a climate activist from Australia (and formerly from New Zealand) will also be available to give her perspective.

WHAT’S ON IN AUCKLAND

Friday, April 16, 8pm, Khartoum Place, Lorne St
"one to many – many to one" – Sean Curham et al. Outdoor project, in collaboration with Sean Curham et al. Commissioned by the Auckland City Council, to be installed for 5 days (13 – 17 April) 2010. The 2010 ‘Living Room’ event, is called “a week of goodness”. Tina Pihema, Piece War vocalist performs a reading of ‘Seven Jeruselum Children’ a play for Gaza by Caryl Churchill. A collection for the people of Gaza is held at the end of the event with all proceeds going to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). FREE entry, starting 8pm sharp!

Saturday, April 17, 5pm, 1st Floor, 7 The Strand, Takapuna, Auckland, NZ
"Changing NZ Attitudes to War and Peace – Jack Lyon Memorial Lecture". Come to this special pre-ANZAC Day event. If you are interested in peace, war and international relations, it could be just your thing. Prof Glyn Harper is one of our leading military historians. At this special pre-Anzac Day event he will speak on how the great battles of the twentieth century shaped New Zealand’s attitudes to war and peace. Prof Harper is the author of several best selling books on military history including the acclaimed Dark Journey on the three key battles New Zealanders fought on the Western Front in World War One. This is the second annual Jack Lyon Memorial Lecture. Capt Jack Lyon was the MP for Waitemata (now the North Shore) and served in the first Labour Government. He left Parliament to volunteer for active service during World War Two, and was killed in battle. This annual lecture is hosted by Phil Twyford MP and the North Shore Labour Electorate Committee. It is an occasion to recall the sacrifice Jack Lyon made on behalf of his fellow citizens and in the name of democracy. It is also intended to become a platform for ideas and debate on New Zealand’s security, defence and peace making, international relations and national identity. Admission is $20. For catering purposes please RSVP by indicating your attendance on this facebook page, or direct to Frances Bell frabil@xtra.co.nz 09-4456178.

Monday, April 19, 4pm, Trades Hall Supper Room, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn.
The NZ CTU, Unions Auckland, SFWU and WWRC invite you to hear Dexter Whitfield talk about ‘Global Trade in Public Assets’. Dexter Whitfield is Director of European Services Strategy Unit (continuing the work of the Centre for Public Services founded in 1973) and is Adjunct Associate Professor, Australian Institute for Social Research, University of Adelaide. RSVP: Bronwynn at bronwynnm@nzctu.org.nz by Friday April 16. Nibbles provided with a cash bar.

Wednesday 21st April, 5:30pm Case Room 1, Auckland University Business School
OXFAM NZ: Come and meet Barry Coates, the Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand, who will be talking about Oxfam’s work to tackle poverty in the developing world. Find out how Oxfam is using Campaigning and Advocacy to address the root causes of poverty and how you can get involved. http://www.facebook.com/events/edit/index.php?new&gid=119209546970&step=2&eid=111922362171338#!/event.php?eid=111922362171338

Wednesday, April 21, 6pm, University of Auckland Clock-tower Building, 22 Princes Street, Lecture Theatre 029.
Public Meeting to hear Dr Edine von Herold Member of Parliament Costa Rica. Dr von Herold will be speaking. Costa Rica has long been a country that has taken peace initiatives and upheld a culture of peace. It has played a lead role at the United Nations, including disarmament for development and the implementation of the UN Secretary-General’s five point plan for nuclear disarmament. Along with Malaysia, Costa Rica submitted the updated Model Nuclear Weapons Convention to the UN in 2007. At Dr von Herold’s proposal the entire Costa Rica Parliament has voted to endorse a declaration in support of a nuclear weapons convention. Contact Wilson Chau BANG Aotearoa ph 0211 050 100 wcha160 or Joan Macdonald Abolition 2000 (09)360 8001 joanmac@pl.net

Friday, April 23, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Auckland University- Room TBC
Students for Justice and Palestine and DebSoc public debate: Sixty years later and after countless unnecessary deaths there seems to be no solution on the horizon for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. How much longer will the bloodshed go on? Can two people with such a bloody history live side by side? Is this an issue of the Middle East or an issue of the international community? Can the Palestinian and Israeli people live within one state? Or is a two state solution their only option for peace? The Students for Justice in Palestine and the Debating Society will be holding a public deabte around this issue on Friday 23 April, involving high profile members of the community Janfrie Wakim and Joe Carolan, lecturers Mohsen Al-Attar and Zaeem Baksh, debators Akif Malik and Max Harris. The moot is: "This house does not support a two state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict". Please feel free to invite all your friends and family as this is an event not to be missed. There will be a discussion and question and answer session after the debate.

Saturday, April 24 ,2pm, grassy area opposite the Town Hall, Queen Street.
Auckland Protest March: National Day of Action Against the Search and Surveillance Bill. The Search and Surveillance Bill, currently being debated by Parliament, is a massive threat to civil liberties in New Zealand. It grants the Police and other state agencies vast new powers to monitor, search and detain individuals for minor and nonexistent infringements. The Billeffectively removes the right to silence by allowing the Police to force peopleto answer questions and produce evidence using provisions known as examinationorders and production orders. It also allows for warrant less searches in somecircumstances and for video surveillance devices to be installed in privatehomes, using only the same burden of evidence currently required by the courtsfor granting Police a warrant for a one off search. Saturday 24 April is anational day of protest action against the Bill. Defend your freedom: Join theprotest!

Saturday, April 24, 7pm, Telstra Stadium, 770 Great South Rd,Manukau
A benefit gig, to raise awareness and fundraise for victims of the devastatingearthquake in Chile. In New Zealand, we can do our part to help our brothersand sisters in our homeland. Concert, Art Auction, Markets, KidZone. TICKETS:Adults:$25; Children 5-12yrs: $10; Under 5yrs: Free; Family pass(2 adults 3children): $60. Booking fee applies. Details to follow. Tickets on sale soonvia http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz. Date to be announced. With MC Cori Gonzalez-Macuer,DJ Bobby Brazuka, Calle Latina, Emcee Silva, Jah RedLion, Chico y susonora….more of the lineup to be announced soon…

Monday, April 26, 7.30pm, Salvation Army AucklandCity Corps, 369 Queen Street, Auckland
"Prison Realities" – Public Forum on Prisons with John Lonergan, Governor ofMountjoy Prison, Dublin, Ireland. Visiting New Zealand as guest of Nga WhaeaAtawhai Sisters of Mercy Ministries and the New Zealand Council of ChristianSocial Services, John will share his experiences as governor of one ofIreland’s largest prisons and what it might mean to change lives in themost challenging situations. We have invited a panel of speakers to respond toJohn’s address: Mark Tipene, Former prisoner “working amongst thethorns”; Kim Workman, National Director, Rethinking Crime and Punishment;Major Campbell Roberts, Director of the Salvation Army Social Policy &Parliamentary Unit; Peter Jenkins, Sensible Sentencing Trust. Entry is free(donations welcome). Contact: Major Ian Hutson, Salvation Army, ph. 09 639 1143ian_hutson@nzf.salvationarmy.orgPaul Barber, NZCCSS, ph. 04 473 2627 paul.barber@nzccss.org.nz

Saturday, May 1, 11am, lower Queen St, Auckland
March Against Mining The Government wants to open up the best of ourconservation land to mining… Will we value and protect our unique ecology andland, or squander it for a quick buck? Let’s show the Government this isnot the direction we want for our country! http://www.dontunderminenz.org

Saturday, May 1, 1.45pm, Britomart
UNIONS AUCKLAND MAY DAY MARCH. We will be marching from Britomart to theMaritime Club. Celebration: Maritime Club – 68 Anzac Ave from 2.30onwards. Food will be provided (Buy your own drinks). We will be meeting atTakutai Square on the Gore Street side of Britomart for the March.

Saturday, May 1, 7.30pm, Bluestone Room, 9 – 11 Durham Lane ,Central City, Auckland
"MayDay- Workers Day! party for a Living Wage". For the last six months, theCampaign for a Living Wage has been going hard, and we have collected over150,000 signatures of support to raise the minimum wage to $15ph. May Day isWorkers Day, and it’s time to make the Bosses pay. Come to the May Day Partyand celebrate the last year of workers struggles, with speakers from thevarious strikes and campaigns that have happened. And come find out about thenext phase of the Movement for the Working Poor. May Day – it’s time to party.Sponsored by Unite Union and the Campaign for a Living Wage.

Saturday, May 8, 8am-5pm, OGGB3 BusinessSchool
UNIMUN – UNITED NATIONS MODEL UN – For those of you who have taken partin one of these in high school and remember it as a glorified diplomatic datingservice, well the annual Auckland Region University Model United Nations isback again. A day of intense debate, passionate lobbying, negotiations, andespionage. Instead of one delegate representing one country, we will be havingteams of two this year. So grab a friend, put on your diplomatic hat and comejoin us for an epic day at the UN. No prior experience required. There will bean optional social to let the hair down and to continue diplomacy/hooking up.To register email Wilson at auckland.uni@unyanz.co.nz

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=106948066001222&ref=ts

Saturday, May 15, 9am to 4pm at St Matthew-in-the-City, cornerWellesley and Hobson Streets, Auckland
Disturbing the Peace: A Day of Reflection, Discussion & Networking. Purposeof the day: – meet other people interested in issues of peace; – talk about howpeace and spirituality intertwine; – talk about how peace and justiceintertwine; – save the world. Questions to be explored: Is peace justunrealistic? Is peace toothless verbiage? Has/is the church invested in thecontinuation of violence? Is peace just a word that politicians use to buy timein order to re-arm; or to get their country’s companies to move in tomaximize profits in a new market? What difference does doing anything in NZmake to anyone anywhere? Should NZ have soldiers? Should we be involved in‘peace keeping’ operations – like Afghanistan? What are thelimits of violence in non-violent protest? Who will be there? The day willfeature as keynote speaker Canon Paul “Apostle for Peace andReconciliation” Oestreicher, retired Director of the Centre forInternational Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral; founding Chair of AmnestyInternational; Vice President, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; QuakerChaplain to the University of Sussex and a lifelong worker for peace and socialjustice. Leading New Zealand peace advocates have been invited to respond tohis two presentations:

♦Fr Peter Murnane, Peace activist recently acquitted in the Waihopai 3trial
♦Revd Sande Ramage, School chaplain and former military chaplain
♦Ms Edwina Hughes, Coordinator of Peace Movement Aotearoa
♦Associate Professor Peter Lineham, Historian of Peace Movements
♦Dr Heather deVere, Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies
♦Mr Andrew Shepherd, Peace theologian

Programme for May 15:
9.00 Registration and morning tea
10.00 Address by Paul Oestreicher
11.00 Panel response and Q&A
12.30 Lunch (and Morning & Afternoon Teas) provided by the Women’sInternational League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF).
1.30 Address by Paul Oestreicher
2.30 Panel response and Q & A
4.00 Finish with afternoon tea and informal conversation

Canon Oestreicher will also be the guest preacher at St Matthew-in-the-Citythe next morning, 8am & 10am, Sunday, May 16. Cost: $40.00 Registration /$20.00 for Students & Unwaged. (Includes lunch and teas for those whopre-register) Lunch cannot be guaranteed for those who do NOT pre-register forthe event. For more information email Clay Nelson at clay@stmatthews.org.nz orcall St Matthew’s office: 09 379 0625

Tuesday, 7pm, May 18, Conference Centre Lecture Theatre, 22 SymondsStreet, University of Auckland, Auckland CBD
QUESTIONING ISRAEL – Liberated Jewish thought on Palestine/Israel – A talk byAntony Loewenstein, Sydney-based journalist, blogger and author of best seller"My Israel Question". Gold coin koha appreciated

Friday, May 21, 7.30am

CPAG Post Budget Breakfast. Please save this date & time! Thisyear’s Budget is looming as one of great concern to all who areinterested in the welfare of our children. Pre-budget commentary andannouncements from the Government are pushing us to a status of“alarm”. The impact of the fiscal policies of the 1990s is beingstill felt keenly today and this Government appears to not only be willing toignore this impact, but also determined to drive the wedge of inequality deeperinto our society. The response to the present recession is primarily aimed atcost-cutting, which increases the exposure of the vulnerable , especiallychildren. The proposed tax changes will do nothing to improve the position ofat risk families in New Zealand. Of particular concern is the proposal to raiseGST which will directly hit the pockets of the poorest families. CPAG’sannual Post-Budget Breakfast will this year feature two of CPAG’s ownexecutive. Susan St John, Associate Professor of Economics atUniversity of Auckland dissects the budget. “Is this 1991 all over again?Were the welfare reforms just to soften us up? Where are the children in thisbudget?” Alan Johnson, Economist and Salvation Armysocial policy analyst will reframe poverty through the lens of the“deserving and the undeserving”. Alan will examine our treatment ofthe children of beneficiaries and non- beneficiaries, and compare our treatmentof the young and the elderly. This is CPAG’s stellar event on our annualcalendar and is considered one of the most stimulating and discerningdiscussions around the Budget. Further information on the Post-Budget Breakfastwill be sent to you soon but you can register your interest now by emailing usat admin

ANNOUNCEMENTS

STOP THE SEARCH AND SURVEILLANCE BILL NOW! NATIOBAL DAY OF ACTIONAPRIL 24
The Search and Surveillance Bill, currently being debated by Parliament, is amassive threat to civil liberties in New Zealand. It grants the Police andother state agencies vast new powers to monitor, search and detain individualsfor minor and nonexistent infringements. The Bill effectively removes the rightto silence by allowing the Police to force people to answer questions andproduce evidence using provisions known as examination orders and productionorders. It also allows for warrant less searches in some circumstances and forvideo surveillance devices to be installed in private homes, using only thesame burden of evidence currently required by the courts for granting Police awarrant for a one off search. Saturday 24 April is a national day of protestaction against the Bill. Defend your freedom: Join the protest!

Wellington Protest March: Saturday April 24, 12:30pm, meetManners/Cuba Mall intersection
Auckland Protest March: Saturday April 24, 2pm, grassy areaopposite the Town Hall, Queen Street.

http://stopthebillnow.blogspot.comUpdates will be posted on the Facebook group. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=204950191596

SUPERCITY COALITION MEETING FEEDBACK
Hello everyone, Thanks so much to all those who came on Saturday. It was a verypositive meeting with a great turnout, a great discussion & a lot ofenthusiasm to do something and not feel so disempowered! I have attached asummary of the key decisions we made – or I think we made – if anyone thinksI’ve got that wrong then please let me know before next week’s meeting 🙂 TheSteering Group will meet next Sat 17 April at 10am at the Ponsonby CommunityCentre, 20 Ponsonby Terrace, with the full group to meet the followingSaturday, same time & place. So please let your networks know. If anyonewishes to join the Steering Group but was not there on Saturday then please letme know, there is much to be done! I would like for the membership of thecoalition to be available to the media in the future, as I believe this willgive credibility. So please can you let me know if this is acceptable to thegroup you represent or not. Thanks again for your interest & optimismcheers Mels. Mels Barton, 09 816 8337 / 021 213 7779; westiegag on Twitter; http://www.gag.net.nz
Key Decisions:Supercity Coalition, Ponsonby Community Centre,Saturday 10 April 2010
1.To form a broad based coalition and run a campaign with a short term goal ofinfluencing the decisions around CCOs, timescales and the 3rd Bill on AucklandGovernance, as well as a longer term goal of continuing to campaign forimproved democracy.
2.That the campaign will involve a People’s Referendum to ask questionsaround the process for forming the super city and democracy. The detail of thequestions is to be decided by the Steering Group, who will also considerwhether running a CIR petition is also feasible and worthwhile.
3.That the campaign and the Referendum will operate via a website and thatvoting in the Referendum will be validated against the Electoral Role to givecredibility and avoid interference.
4.That the campaign will be issues based, not about backing particularcandidates for the supercity elections.
5.That the launch of the campaign will be on Weds 29 April, with a copydeadline of 22 April, and that the website will be up and operational by thelaunch date.
6.That the name of the campaign will be Our Auckland.
7.That a Steering Group will be formed and will meet on Saturday 17 April at10am at the Ponsonby Community Centre.
8.That the wider group will meet again on Saturday 24 April at 10am at thePonsonby Community Centre

AOTEAROA NZ’S MAY DAY CONCERT 2010
Celebrating International Workers Day: A great night of fun and solidarity inthe form of song, music, dance and performance art from unions, communitygroups and individuals from throughout New Zealand and internationally.Featuring Peter Hicks (Folk singer / activist, Tasmania), The Brazen Hussies intheir 20th year of performing and the Turakina Maori Girls College kapa haka.Also featuring Ahmed Zaoui (poems), the Michelle Robinson Dancers,Pi’ikea Clark (ukelele), John Maynard (Trumpet), Rob Thorne, Suzy Hawes,Luc Arnault (France), Folk-Us, the Congolese Community Dancers and much more.When: Saturday 1 May 2010, 7.30pm. Where: Regent on Broadway, Palmerston North.Cost: Entry by gold coin donation. Judges for the May Day Cup: Peter Conway(Secretary, NZCTU), Keith Locke (Green Party MP), Iain Lees-Galloway (LabourParty MP, PNth), Pat Kelly (PNth City Councillor), Tania Kopytko (ExecutiveDirector, Dance Aotearoa NZ). Contact: Organised by Dion Martin (coordinator)Manawatu MayDay Coalition, on behalf of Unions Manawatu. Post: PO Box 1327,Palmerston North. Tel: (06) 356 9658, Cell: (021) 776 029, Email: dion.martin@ndu.org.nz Organise for:*Proper funding for public health, education housing and all public services; *The unrestricted right to strike for significant political, social andenvironmental issues; * Free education (student debt $11 billion); * Stopprivatisation of ACC; * No to racism – welcome refugees/asylum seekers; *Peace – and a NZ foreign and trade policy independent of US andglobalised corporate control; * $15 per hour minimum wage – sign the petition;* All NZ & US troops OUT of Afghanistan & Iraq NOW * Support the FreeBurma campaign and the CTU Tamil Nadu project. * Leave our Personal Grievanceprocess alone. *Hands off our holidays. Supported by: the New Zealand Councilof Trade Unions, Community Arts Palmerston North and Creative CommunitiesPalmerston North City.

AFGHAN WAR FOR CHRISTCHURCH STAGE JULY 16—AUG 14.
329BC, Alexander the Great conquers Bagram, crossroads of Asia.
1839, the British army takes Kabul.
1970, a kiwi hippie gets stoned on quality hash beneath the Hindu Kush.
1980, the Socialist Action League organises a meeting in the Wellington TradesHall to explain Soviet intervention in Afghanistan.
2010, a New Zealand army unit sets out on a mission to the Chagai hills,southern Afghanistan….
All of this in “The Perfumed Garden,” a New Zealand play aboutAfghanistan, opening at The Forge / The Court in Christchurch, July16—Aug 14. http://www.courttheatre.org.nz/index.cfm/0,26,231,html?previewid=241

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

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

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

"The big thieves hang the little ones." – — CzechProverb

"It should be no surprise that when rich men take control of the government,they pass laws that are favorable to themselves. The surprise is that those whoare not rich vote for such people, even though they should know from bitterexperience that the rich will continue to rip off the rest of us. Perhaps thereason is that rich men are very clever at covering up what they do.":Andrew Greeley (Chicago Sun-Times, February 18, 2001):

"A State divided into a small number of rich and a large number of poor willalways develop a government manipulated by the rich to protect the amenitiesrepresented by their property.": Harold Laski, (1930):

"An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment ofall republics.": Plutarch – Mestrius Plutarchus (c. 46 AD- 127AD) was a Greek historian, biographer, and essayist.

BEST ONTHE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Protesters reject ‘US spybase’ denial http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3563735/Protesters-reject-US-spybase-denial

Time to say “Bye Bye, Mr Karzai” by David Beatson http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/time-to-say-%E2%80%9Cbye-bye-mr-karzai%E2%80%9D

Migrante Aotearoa http://www.migrante-aotearoa.org.nz/

John Minto: An apology from the NZRU is in order http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1004/S00063.htm

NZ’s stance about saving face in Tokyo, not saving whales or PeteBethune http://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/nz-s-stance-about-saving-face-tokyo-not-saving-whales-or-pete-bethune

Credibility of UN Human Rights Committee not so easily hijacked By TONYELLIS http://www.stuff.co.nz/blogs/opinion/3571990/Credibility-of-UN-Human-Rights-Committee-not-so-easily-hijacked

Global Research Alliance Is Full Of Manure, Says Camp For Climate ActionAotearoa http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/global-research-alliance-full-manure-says-camp-climate-action-aotearoa/5/44168

Bennett dreams up nightmare http://www.cpag.org.nz/news/cpag-news/nr1269332638.pdf

Friedmanite Fringe Influencing Govt Welfare Policy http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1004/S00139.htm

Child Support: a summary and comparison of legislation and policy in NewZealand and Australia http://www.cpag.org.nz/resources/backgrounders/res1268880561.pdf

Gordon Campbell: Welfare Insurance – The new working group on welfare reformto be headed by former Commerce Commission head Paula Rebstock will be lookingat schemes of unemployment insurance that exist elsewhere in the world, andCanada is widely regarded as a leading source of policy … http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/04/14/gordon-campbell-on-welfare-insurance/

Inequality in Aotearoa: Life expectancy by Metiria Turei http://blog.greens.org.nz/2010/04/12/inequality-in-aotearoa-life-expectancy/

More evidence that private prisons are a scam http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2010/04/more-evidence-that-private-prisons-are.html

PPPs don’t make economic sense http://www.thestandard.org.nz/ppps-dont-make-economic-sense/

Tapu Misa: ‘Three strikes’ law may not curb crime http://www.nzherald.co.nz/best-of-political-analysis/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502734&objectid=10637803

FEATURES

UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston Responds to US Defense of DroneAttacks’ Legality http://www.democracynow.org/2010/4/1/drones

The great US foreign policy flaw – By failing to recognise why nationalself-determination is important, the US hinders global economic and socialprogress http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/apr/08/us-foreign-policy-self-determination

The Market Colonization of Intellectuals http://www.truthout.org/the-market-colonization-intellectuals58310

Africa May Have Lost $1 trillion to Tax Evasion – According to a new reportreleased by Global Financial Integrity (GFI), more that $1 trillion may haveflowed out of Africa illegally over the last decade. Most of this loss is dueto tax evasion by multinational companies, most is deposited in westernfinancial institutions. This scourge eats into African economies and the taxbase that should be a broad source of resources for development. GFI calls onthe G20 to crack down on this illicit practice. http://www.globalpolicy.org/social-and-economic-policy/global-taxes-1-79/general-analysis-on-global-taxes/48910.html

How Independent is the European Parliament? by Julie Webb-Pullman – WhenCuban prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo died following a hunger strike inFebruary, the European Parliament immediately condemned what they described ashis “avoidable and cruel death,” but when New Zealand womanMargaret Page died in a rest home following a hunger strike only weeks later,the European Parliament said not a word. Where was their ‘strongcondemnation’ of New Zealand authorities in relation to MargaretPage’s ‘avoidable and cruel death’? http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1004/S00070.htm

Kissinger cable heightens suspicions about 1976 Operation Condor killings http://articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/11/nation/la-na-kissinger11-2010apr11

Noam Chomsky – A World Of Freedom And Justice – Video Of Lecture – HavensCenter, Orpheum Theater, Madison – Thursday, April 8, 2010. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article25209.htm

Playing Nuclear Charades: The New START – When the two largest holders ofnuclear weapons sign treaties reducing their lethal stockpile, the optimistmight have reason to crow. Another step taken to rid the world of various,fabulously terrifying weapons. US President Barack Obama and Russian …http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1004/S00053.htm

FOOD, FARMING AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Why James Hansen is wrong on nuclear power By Renfrey Clarke – “Whenthe facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?” Attributed toeconomist J.M. Keynes, that retort has always been good advice. Now thatcarrying on with “business as usual” greenhouse gas emissions hasbeen revealed as a road to disaster, should environmentalists change theirminds on nuclear power http://links.org.au/node/1607

Native Peoples Reject Market Mechanisms http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=50886

Hollywood stars join politicians at Bolivia’s ‘cool’ global warming summit -Evo Morales says talks will give a voice to world’s poorest and encouragegovernments to be ambitious after Copenhagen by John Vidal The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/apr/13/bolivia-climate-summit

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

The Global Economic Crisis: Riots, Rebellion and Revolution By Andrew GavinMarshall – Ratings Agency Predicts Civil Unrest: Moody’s is a major ratingsagency, which performs financial research and analysis on governments andcommercial entities and ranks the credit-worthiness of borrowers. On March 15,Moody’s warned that the US, the UK, Germany, France, and Spain "are all at riskof soaring debt costs and will have to implement austerity plans that threaten’social cohesion’." http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article25229.htm

Sovereign debt crisis at ‘boiling point’, warns Bank for InternationalSettlements: Sovereign debt is already starting to cross the danger thresholdin the United States, Japan, Britain, and most of Western Europe, threateningto set off a bond crisis at the heart of the global economy. http://snipurl.com/vew1a

AFGHANISTAN

Questions for Tariq Ali http://www.brooklynrail.org/2010/04/express/questions-for-tariq-ali

Moyers: Obama’s Bad Gamble on Afghanistan — 100,000 Soldiers Used as Chipsfor a Bet the US Can’t Win – We are losing lives for no purpose. Theperpetuation of this unnecessary war exacerbates the problems in the Islamicworld. http://www.alternet.org/story/146406/obama%27s_bad_gamble_on_afghanistan_–_100%2C000_soldiers_used_as_chips_for_a_bet_the_us_can%27t_win

US Troops Attack Afghan Bus, Killing Four And Wounding 18 By Keith Jones http://www.countercurrents.org/jones180410.htm

AUSTRALIA

The boats will keep coming, say traumatised Tamils http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/the-boats-will-keep-coming-say-traumatised-tamils/story-e6frgczf-1225852474321?from=public_rss

Rudd’s Refugee Woes: The Afghan and Sri Lankan Dilemma The Australiangovernment, as is often the case on the perennial matter of refugees, ismuddled about its role in the world. The latest update in the sordid treatmentit has offered Sri Lankan and Afghan refugees is that its information on thesecurity… http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1004/S00095.htm

BOLIVIA

Bittersweet victory highlights obstacles for process of change http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2010/04/bolivia-bittersweet-victory-highlights.html

Bolivia: Pablo Solon on why thousands will attend World People’s Climateconference – More than 10,000 individuals and 50 governments have alreadyregistered to participate in the historic World People’s Conference onClimate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth in Cochabamba, Bolivia, on April19-22, 2010. *Pablo Solon*, Bolivia’s ambassador to the UN, at a pressconference during UNFCCC negotiations in Bonn on April 10 condemned continuedattempts by some developed countries to impose a deeply flawed CopenhagenAccord as the basis for future negotiations: http://links.org.au/node/1619

CANADA

Tell the world the truth about Canada’s record on Indigenous rights http://intercontinentalcry.org/june-24-tell-the-world-the-truth-about-canadas-record-on-indigenous-rights/

New openings for workers in Toronto http://links.org.au/node/1606

HONDURAS

Disappearing the Truth in Honduras – "National Reconciliation" & the"Truth Commission" Provide Cover for Repression Aimed at Destroying the Demandfor a New Constitution http://www.narconews.com/Issue65/article4110.html

State Department campaign denies the systemic repression that continues,nine months after coup http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=4977

INDONESIA

Indonesia Gives Ultimatum to the Stranded Refugees at Merak http://canadianadvocate.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/indonesia-gives-ultimatum-to-the-stranded-refugees-at-merak/

INDIA

Arundhati Roy: Pulp Fiction Or A Concrete Analysis? By P.A.Sebastian http://www.countercurrents.org/sebastian130410.htm

BJP And Congress In The Dock For Communal Violence By Ram Puniyani http://www.countercurrents.org/puniyani120410.htm

KYRGYZSTAN

The Overthrow in Kyrgyzstan Was a Really Big Deal — It’s a Huge Loss forAmerica in the Global Power Game – There has been a massive breakdown in USdiplomacy in Central Asia. The recent revolt against a U.S. backed regime inKyrgyzstan proves it. http://www.alternet.org/story/146405/the_overthrow_in_kyrgyzstan_was_a_really_big_deal_–_it%27s_a_huge_loss_for_america_in_the_global_power_game

MEXICO

The True Inside Story of the Catastrophic Mexican Drug Wars – Why CiudadJurez has a murder rate nearly four times higher than Baghdad’s. http://www.alternet.org/story/146370/the_true_inside_story_of_the_catastrophic_mexican_drug_wars

PACIFIC

Fiji media digests tough crackdown http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/fiji-media-digests-tough-crackdown-3453287

PALESTINE

IDF order will enable mass deportation from West Bank http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1162075.html

How the Israeli Government Tried to Spin Its Way out of Its Inhumane GazaInvasion – In this excerpt from his new book, Finkelstein dissects the PReffort to cover up the inhuman acts committed by Israel’s massive offensive inthe Gaza strip in 2009. http://www.alternet.org/story/146321/how_the_israeli_government_tried_to_spin_its_way_out_of_its_inhumane_gaza_invasion

Best-selling author Antony Loewenstein joins the Gaza Freedom March in Cairoto test his ideas about dissent and Jewish identity http://www.abc.net.au/rn/360/stories/2010/2862573.htm

What Kind of Palestinian State in 2011? Neoliberalism and World Bank Diktatshttp://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=18638

Divesting Is The Right Thing To Do By Archbishop Desmond Tutu – Sent fromEmily Schaeffer, human right lawyer in Israel/Palestine, who asked ArchbishopTutu to write the letter. "Dear Student Leaders at the University of California– Berkeley – It was with great joy that I learned of your recent 16-4vote in support of divesting your university’s money from companies thatenable and profit from the injustice of the Israeli occupation of Palestinianland and violation of Palestinian human rights." http://www.countercurrents.org/tutu120410.htm

Weiss: Holocaust Survivor – Why I Support Palestinian Rights By SuzanneWeiss http://www.countercurrents.org/weiss120410.htm

SCOTLAND

Palestine group’s race harassment case thrown out of court http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/breaking-edinburgh-news/Palestine-groups-race-harassment-case.6211879.jp

THAILAND

Tyrants shoot the people to cling to power; Time for immediate freshelections! http://links.org.au/node/1610

TURKEY

U.S. Capital and the Turkish government http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/u-s-capital-and-the-turkish-government/

UK

Death Of The Internet: Unprecedented Censorship Bill Passes in UK http://www.prisonplanet.com/death-of-the-internet-unprecedented-censorship-bill-passes-in-uk.html/print/

USA

Attack Wall Street, not social security – Deficit hawks are too scared oftheir powerful lobby friends to fix the healthcare system, so they have settledfor an easier target http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/apr/12/useconomy-obama-administration

Wall Street Deficit Hawks Have No Shame – Almost 25 million people areunemployed or underemployed right now. This was a completely preventabledisaster. This is worth repeating a few hundred billion times so that even thegeniuses in Washington can understand it. http://www.truthout.org/wall-street-deficit-hawks-have-no-shame58504

More Dark Truths from Guantanamo as Five Innocent Men are Freed http://www.globalpolicy.org/empire/us-un-and-international-law-8-24/torture-and-prison-abuse/48919.html

Judge Orders Man Once Labeled "Highest-Value Detainee" Released From Gitmo -After nine years in captivity, including physical and psychological torture,Mohamedou Ould Salahi has been ordered released by Federal District Judge JamesRobertson. http://www.alternet.org/story/146425/judge_orders_man_once_labeled_%22highest-value_detainee%22_released_from_gitmo

The Preposterous Reality: 25 Hedge Fund Managers Are Worth 680,000 Teachers(Who Teach 13 Million Students) – "It’s going to take a lot of politicalwill — over a long period of time — to reorder our most basiceconomic values." http://www.alternet.org/story/146402/the_preposterous_reality%3A_25_hedge_fund_managers_are_worth_680%2C000_teachers_%28who_teach_13_million_students%29

Richard S Ehrlich: One, Two, Three, What Are We Fighting For? When CountryJoe and The Fish performed their famous satirical protest song "Fixin’ To Die"during the 1960s, they influenced many people to oppose America’s disastrousVietnam War.Today, Barry "The Fish" Melton — still a self-proclaimed "leftist"- grimly predicts the U.S. is doomed to also lose its war in Afghanistan. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1004/S00102.htm

VENEZUELA

Venezuela deserves a fair hearing – A media focus on Hugo Chvez means thevoices of the Venezuelan government’s grassroots supporters are rarely heard http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/apr/09/venezuela-hugo-chavez

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