GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND
NEWSLETTER No. 345, August 29, 2010
UTU-COMMITMENT NEEDED TO PICKET BURGER FUEL STORES SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 12 NOON – 2PM
Joanne Bartlett was dismissed on day 89 of her 90 day trial period at Mission Bay Burger Fuel. She was dismissed shortly after asking if she could have more than one 10 minute break during her eight hour shift. Joanne consistently received the highest grades in the company’s training program and has culinary school qualifications and regularly worked extra shifts when asked. No reason was given for her dismissal. (See Unite’s original press release: http://business.scoop.co.nz/2010/08/20/shame-on-burger-fuel-for-89th-day-sacking-2/) Unite union, the EPMU and other supporters picketed her store last Friday, 20th of August. Activists in Wellington picketed their local store after the Fairness at Work rally on Saturday, 21st of August. During the Auckland picket company chief executive Josef Roberts told TV3 that Burger Fuel franchises would use the 90 day bill again in the future. (See the video at TV3: http://www.3news.co.nz/Burger-Fuel-store-picketed-/tabid/369/articleID/171804/Default.aspx and the Stuff article here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/4044983/Burger-Fuel-rejects-union-campaign.) When the cameras stopped rolling, Roberts pleaded with the picketers to stop as the store had lost their entire lunch trade which would significantly impact on their tight margins. It’s time to send Burger Fuel a clear message.
We need to picket as many stores as we can on the same day at the same time and drive the message home. It is important for the workers movement that we get a concrete win at Burger Fuel. Not only do we need to send a strong message to other employers that we won’t stop until we win, we need to show activists that there is action that they can be involved in that works and is fun. That’s why we are organising another round of protests on Saturday 4th of September from 12 noon – 2pm during Burger Fuels busiest lunch break. The first action in Auckland was successful and Wellington activists were successful the following day. It will work again, but this time it will hurt them more. We need unions and activist groups to commit to adopting/organising a store and to appoint a contact person to help organise others to attend. Already Australian unionists have agreed to picket the two Sydney Burger Fuels. We are currently developing flyers and other materials for the picket and we will get them to you before the action.
Below you will find a list of stores. Please email me back at simon.oosterman@ndu.org.nz or contact me at 021 922 551 and let me know if: a) You can join a picket, b) The store you can picket and c) If you (or someone from your organisation) can commit to being a contact person and help organise the picket at that store. In the areas with multiple stores we may meet up at a single store before the picket to see what numbers we have on the day to make sure we’ve got enough for each store. (It will also make a better photo oppourtunity!)
Burger Fuel stores
Auckland – Albany – 94152315 – Albany- 7 Mercari Way Albany North North Shore
Auckland – Takapuna – 94894889 – Takapuna- 22 Anzac St Takapuna Auckland 0622
Auckland – Glenfield – 94440118 – 407 Glenfield Rd, Glenfield, Auckland, Next to Glenfield Mall
Auckland – Windsor Park – 94784366 – Unit 3 Windsor Park 544 East Coast Rd Mairangi Bay Auckland
Auckland – Mission Bay – 95210400 – 61 Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay
Auckland – Ponsonby – 93786466 – Ponsonby- 114 Ponsonby Rd Ponsonby Auckland 1011
Auckland – Parnell – 93773345 – Parnell- 187 Parnell Rd Parnell Auckland 1052
Auckland – CBD – 93090660 – Queen Street- 291 Queen St Auckland Central Auckland
Auckland – Mt Eden – 96300290 – Mt Eden- 214 Dominion Rd Mt Eden Auckland 1024
Auckland – Lincoln Rd – 98387746 – Henderson- 155 Lincoln Rd Henderson Auckland 0610
Auckland – Syvlia Park – 95730100 – Shop 73 286 Mt Wellington Hwy, Slyvia Park Shopping Complex
Auckland – Ellerslie – 95257752 – Ellerslie- 2 Robert St Ellerslie Auckland 1051
Auckland – New Lynn – 98276009 – New Lynn- 3074 Great North Rd New Lynn Auckland 0600
Auckland – Manukau – 92777705 – Manukau- 597 Great South Rd Manukau Auckland 2104
Auckland – Botany Downs – 92722499 – Botany Downs- 451 Ti Rakau Dve Botany Downs Auckland 2013
Tauranga – Cameron Rd – 75718677 – Cnr Cameron Rd & 12th Ave Tauranga 3112
Hamilton – Victoria Street – 78382400 – 213 Victoria Street Hamilton 3204
Hamilton – Five Cross Roads – 78550088 – Five Cross Roads 230 Peachgrove Rd Hamilton
Rotorua – Rotorua – 73484860 – 223 Fenton St Rotorua
Taupo – Taupo – 73780002 – 2 Roberts St Taupo 3330
Auckland – New Plymouth – 67699102 – 66 Eliot St New Plymouth 4310
Napier – Napier – 68354445 – 70 Carlyle St Napier 4110
Palmerston North – Palmerston North – 63547778 – 84 Fitzherbert Ave Palmerston North 4410
Wellington – Johnsonville – 44774008 – 103 Johnsonville Rd Johnsonville Wellington 6037
Wellington – Lower Hutt – 45861243 – 529 High St Lower Hutt Wellington
Wellington – Courtenay Place – 48019222 – 101 Courtenay Place, Under Saatchi & Saatchi
Unions are illegal in Dubai and Saudi Arabia and it is too dangerous to organise pickets there.
NOCTURNE THEATRE PRESENTS THE FORGE AT THE COURT THEATRE PRODUCTION OF “MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE” 17-25 SEPTEMBER, BASEMENT SPACE, AUCKLAND
Taken from the writings of Rachel Corrie I Edited by Alan Rickman and Katharine Viner. 8PM, Basement Space, Lower Greys Ave. Performed by Kate Prior (Heat, Doubt, A Clockwork Orange) Directed by Lara Macgregor (Associate Artistic Director, The Court Theatre) Book at nocturnetheatre More information about Rachel Corrie can be found at www.rachelcorriefoundation.org
DAVID ROVICK TOUR OF NZ: AUG 20 – SEPT 1
Sunday, August 29th, Poverty Bay Club, Gisborne
Tuesday, August 31st, Biddy Mulligans Irish Bar, Victoria Street, Hamilton
Wednesday, September 1st, The Wine Cellar, Auckland
ALTERNATIVE WELFARE WORKING GROUP PUBLIC MEETINGS http://www.welfarejustice.org.nz/?sid=5
Welfare justice: the alternative welfare working group was set up in July in response to the Government’s welfare working group which is pushing an agenda of manufacturing an artificial crisis to justify potential reforms to our social security system, changes which many of us view as potentially highly damaging. Please join us for public meetings – or please make a submission if we are not able to come to your area:The meetings will be an opportunity for people with an interest in welfare reform to * learn a little more about the work of the alternative welfare working group; * workshop ideas about what you think are the most important principles for our welfare system;* share examples of what is and isn’t working; and to give your thoughts on recommendations for positive change.
AUCKLAND, 9 September: Tatai Hono Marae, 8 Burleigh St, Grafton, Auckland, 10am
NORTHLAND, 15 September: Ngararatunua Marae, Cnr Church and Pipwai Rds, Kamo 10am
SOUTH AUCKLAND, 20 September 10.00am – 1.00pm – ManurewaMarae, 81 Finlayson Ave, Manurewa.
INVERCARGILL, 23 September: disAbilities Resource Centre, 192Spey St, Invercargill: Two meetings 11.00-1.30 and 2.00-4.30
CHRISTCHURCH, 24 September: Christchurch Community Law Centre,281 Madras St, Christchurch: Two meetings 10.00-12.30 and 1.30-4.00
ROTORUA, 29 September: Venue to be confirmed
Submissions: Information about making a submission to Welfare Justice is at http://alternativewelfareworkinggroup.org.nz/?sid=7- the deadline is 30 September. The deadline for submissions on thegovernment’s Welfare Working Group discussion paper is 17 September, detailsare at http://ips.ac.nz/WelfareWorkingGroup/Index.html
WHAT’SON IN AUCKLAND
Monday, August 30, 5.30pm, Room 310, Decima Glenn, Owen GlennBuilding, University of Auckland Business School
Fabian Society Forum: The speakers for our next free seminar, in Auckland onMonday 30th August, are Susan St John and Sue Bradford. Sue will examine whatthis Government is trying to do with the Welfare Working Group, background thecurrent situation with child poverty, and look at some of the ways forward.Susan asks the questions ‘Why didn’t we fix child poverty when we had thechance? Working for Families is a lost opportunity? Is a Universal ChildBenefit the answer, or is there another way?’ Both speakers will outline whatthey consider to be the way forward and the best ways for us to act. Dr SusanSt John, Child Poverty Action Group, Sue Bradford, Alternative Welfare WorkingGroup. This is a burning moral and economic issue for our society, so pleasecome and join the debate. You can registeron our web site. If you know of others who may be interested, please takeadvantage of the ‘Tell a Friend’ feature on the registration page.
Monday, August 30, 8pm, Academy Cinema, Lorne Street (next to theCentral Library)
COME TO OUR CITY VISION FUNDRAISING MOVIE NITE! 8pm for drinks andnibbles . The movie will start at 8.30pm. Price: $20 waged, $10 unwaged. Movie:Sister Smile (Soeur Sourire) (2009). PLOT: Back in late 1963, aBelgian nun known only as Soeur Sourire, or Sister Smile, topped America’s popmusic charts with the relentlessly cheerful tune “Dominique,” from an album of12 songs that sold 1.5 million copies. From the little that is known of theill-fated nun’s life, Italy-based American writer-director Roger Deutsch hasmade this boldly speculative yet persuasive Italian-language film “SuorSorriso” in which the nun (Ginevra Colonna) emerges as a tormented, unstablewoman who abruptly left the convent after her recording triumph before takingher final vows. CITY VISION NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT! If you can’t make it, buythe tickets anyway in fact buy a couple more and brings some friends! Give themaway to friends or just make a donation (see bank account details below). Costis $20 per person (includes delicious nibbles and complimentary wine) $10unwaged. While you can pay on the night, we would be very grateful if you wouldpurchase your tickets online: NAME : City Vision ACCOUNT NUMBER: 38 90070461177 00 (Kiwibank) Please include a reference to “movie nite tickets”Any questions? Please feel free to contact Cathy Casey: cmcasey@xtra.co.nz 0274 744 231 or 09 8451952 Bruce Kilmister: bruce@bodypositive.org.nz 021 633373 or 09 376 8656
Wednesday, September 1, 8pm, St Kevins Arcade, K road
David Rovics returns to Auckland on Sept 1st 2010. Come check him out, alongwith special guests, at the Wine Cellar. Tickets on the door for $20. DavidRovics grew up in a family of classical musicians in Wilton, Connecticut, andbecame a fan of populist regimes early on. By the early 90’s he was a full-timebusker in the Boston subways and by the mid-90’s he was traveling the world asa professional flat-picking rabble-rouser. These days David lives with hisfamily in Portland, Oregon and tours regularly on four continents, playing foraudiences large and small at cafes, pubs, universities, churches, union hallsand protest rallies. He has shared the stage with a veritable of who’s who ofthe left in two dozen countries, and has had his music featured on DemocracyNow!, BBC, Al-Jazeera and other networks. His essays are published regularly onCounterPunch, and the 200+ songs he makes available for free on the web havebeen downloaded more than a million times. Most importantly, he’s really good.He will make you laugh, he will make you cry, he will make the revolutionirresistible. http://www.davidrovics.com/
Sunday, September 5, 5.30pm-7.30pm, Dogs Bollix Bar, 2 Newton Rd,Central Auckland (near the corner with K’Rd).
BREAK THE BLOCKADE MUSIC SHOW: 2 hours of Kiwi musicians performing for theirsisters & brothers besieged in Gaza. Admission free. Donations collectedfor Kia Ora Gaza. Visit kiaoragaza.net.
Monday 6 September, 6.30-9pm, Rm 039, Clocktower bldg, 22 PrincesSt
Reflections on the Holocaust , a seminar presented by Continuing Education atThe University of Auckland. This symposium will consider the Holocaust or Shoahfrom Christian, Jewish and Muslim perspectives. Speakers: Douglas Pratt, PaulMorris, Zain Ali. Full details: http://www.cce.auckland.ac.nz or ph: 0800864 266
Friday, September 10, 8.30AM – 5.15PM, The University of AucklandBusiness School, Room OGGB5, Level 0, Owen G Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Road,Auckland
Forum: Rethinking welfare for the 21st century: Beyond the terms ofreference. Retirement Policy and Research Centre, the Department of Sociology,University of Auckland, and Child Poverty Action Group. The terms of referencefor the government-appointed Welfare Working Group were narrow. Researchersfrom Australia will join with their New Zealand colleagues in moving beyondthese restrictions in debating welfare in order to seek answers to thequestion: where to go from here? The aim is to explore workable social andeconomic solutions to welfare issues, rather than to simply ‘make workpay’. Susan St John, CPAG’s Economics spokesperson will open andclose the day and Mike O’Brien, Claire Dale and Sue Bradford from ourManagement Committee will also be participating.
BACKGROUND: the Government appointed a Welfare Working Group in April 2010 toconduct a wide-ranging and fundamental review of New Zealand’s welfare system,and make practical recommendations to improve the economic and social outcomesfor beneficiaries and New Zealand as a whole. The first report of the WelfareWorking Group is available here. The aim ofthis Welfare Forum is to move beyond the narrow terms of reference of theWelfare Working Group, and make recommendations that recognise the currenteconomic climate, and foreground the needs of children. In planning for thisday we have been particularly interested in learning from the Australianexperience. Three speakers from Australia will join with experts from NewZealand in what should be an informative and stimulating day. Please registeras soon as possible as places are limited. The forum programme is available here(29KB). RSVP:To register, please complete the registrationform before Tuesday 7 September 2010 and email it to Tressy Menezes t.menezes@auckland.ac.nz (withcheque or credit card payment). Standard registration $50; Student registration$30 (includes morning and afternoon teas, and lunch). Places are limited andregistration is essential.
Saturday, September 11, 7pm-1am, Pearce Street Hall, 3 PearceStreet, Onehunga, Auckland
PRIMERA FIESTA GUACHACA en NUEVA ZELANDA para Conmemorar el BI Centenario conReina y todo Ya Poh Wachitos No se la Pierdan!!!!! You are invited tothe”First Fonda Guachaca” in Auckland, New Zealand. We will havelive music with “Calle Latina”, and traditional Latin Americandance performances with Makehue Latin American Dance Group. We will have thebest of our Latin food, as well as games, dance competitions and more… We arealso looking for the first “Guachaca Queen”, if you would like toparticipate please send us your name and contact details to our emailcallelatina.nz@gmail.com (there is going to be a surprise prize for thewinner). Entry tickets: $10. – Children under 12 free. So please do not waitany longer, buy your tickets now, this is a party that you do not want to miss!Come and have fun all night long! Tickets: callelatina.nz@gmail.com; makehuedancegroup@gmail.com
Friday, September 17, 7-9am, Ellerslie Racecourse,Newmarket Room, 80 Ascot Ave, Remuera
Women’s Health Action presents the 2010 Suffrage Breakfast. Join us tohear Judy McGregor, EEO Commissioner at the Human Rights Commission, speak on“Sex and Power”. Cost: $35 per ticket, $330 for a table of 10. Bookonline now : http://www.womens-health.org.nz/index.php?page=breakfast
Saturday, September 18, 8pm, Basement Theatre,Lower Greys Ave, (backs onto the carpark at the bottom of Lower Greys Ave,opposite the Auckland City Council building)
Kia Ora Gaza and Nocturne Theatre invite you to the fundraisingperformance of MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE A one-woman play. On the same weekendthat six Kia Ora Gaza team members will join the mass land convoy departingLondon en route to Gaza, the one-woman play My Name is Rachel Corrie –taken from the writings of the 23 year-old US citizen who was killed in Rafahwhile protecting the home of a Palestinian family – will open at TheBasement Theatre in Auckland. Rachel Corrie was a uniquely perceptive, generousand brave individual. Growing up in Olympia, Washington, she developed a strongsocial conscience, along with a sharp sense of humour. In January 2003 shetravelled to Palestine-Israel as a member of the International SolidarityMovement. On 16 March 2003, Rachel was killed by an Israeli military bulldozerwhile protecting the home of Palestinian pharmacist Dr Samir and his family.Combining an activist’s passion with an artist’s sensibility,Rachel was a great writer. Even in the tragedy of her young death, there ishope in the legacy of her writing. ‘I think my soul is nomadic’,Rachel once wrote. And the words she left behind encourage readers andaudiences across the globe to meet her in a search for justice and truth.Edited by British actor and director Alan Rickman and Guardian journalistKatharine Viner, My Name is Rachel Corrie has been produced in over 13countries. It is a testament to the power of individual bravery and collectivehope. On Saturday 18 September, when Kia Ora Gaza’s six-person Kiwi Team departLondon with convoy members from around the globe, we invite you to come andhear the words of a fellow activist intent on seeing the people of Gaza enjoythe same freedoms we take for granted. We know Rachel would certainly be therewith the convoy were she here today. Her words live on.
‘I should at least mention that I am also discovering a degree ofstrength and of basic ability for humans to remain human in the direst ofcircumstances – which I also haven’t seen before. I think the wordis dignity. I wish you could meet these people. Maybe, hopefully, someday youwill.’ – Rachel Corrie, 2003. ‘Rachel Corriereveals that the principled courage of youth, idealism we used to call it, hasnot been extinguished, as the propaganda tells us. Indeed, it flourishes andRachel’s legacy is its beacon.’ – JohnPilger, 2008
Tickets: $40. Tea and coffee and light snacks will beavailable after the performance. You are invited to stay after the show andhave a chat with performer Kate Prior. HOW TO GET TICKETS. STEP ONE –BOOK YOUR SEATS: Email Kia Ora Gaza’s co-organiser Grant Morgan grantmorgan@paradise.net.nz withticket numbers and contact details. STEP TWO – PAY FOR YOUR SEATS: Make adirect payment to our bank account: Kia Ora Gaza, 03-0211-0447718-000, WestpacBank, Onehunga branch. In the “details” section put your name alongside thewords “Rachel Corrie”. Or else write a cheque to “Kia Ora Gaza” and post to:Kia Ora Gaza, PO Box 59-007, Auckland. Enclose a note saying the money is forthe Rachel Corrie play.
September 29-30, Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre, ManukauCity
JUST ACTION CONFERENCE: Just Action is for all those with a heart for TheSalvation Army’s mission to fight suffering in all its forms, to speakout and act against injustice, and to be a force for justice, faith and mercyin the world. Here’s some information to bring you up-to-date on plansfor next year’s Just Action Conference, ‘The Power toChange’, which is being held as part of Mission 2010, a combined congressof The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory. Full Conferencedetails and registration information will be available next year. For moreinformation, contact Major Ian Kilgour, The Salvation Army Social Policy andParliamentary Unit. p: (09) 261 0883 or e: ian_kilgour@nzf.salvationarmy.orgPlan to join us and explore how the Gospel can bring international, national,community and neighbourhood change. Plan to join us and explore how the Gospelcan bring international, national, community and neighbourhood change.SPEAKERS: Jim Wallis is a best-selling author, publictheologian, speaker, preacher and international commentator on religion andpublic life, faith and politics. He is President and Chief Executive Officer ofSojourners, where he is editor-in-chief of Sojourners magazine. DaveAndrews, Coordinator for training with the Community InitiativesResource Association, and educator-atlarge for TEAR Australia. Dave, his wifeAnge, and their family, have lived and worked in intentional communities withmarginalised groups of people in Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India andNepal for more than 30 years.
Wednesday, October 27, 6.30pm, Maidment Theatre, University ofAuckland
2010 Bruce Jesson Lecture Annette Sykes Ngti Pikiao Lawyer and Activist. “ThePolitics of the Brown Table”. A self-annointed Iwi Leaders Group, a Maori Partythat supports a National/ACT government, and a group of Crown mandatedintermediaries drawn from retired politicians and bureaucrats, are today’sagents for the manufacturing of consent and the management of discontentamongst Maori. The commercial deals on Treelords, the Emissions Trading Scheme,geothermal resources, national parks, private prisons, mining, wh?nau ora areall harnessing Moari to a global capitalism that impoverishes the mass ofworking class Maori and making them dependent on its survival. Most whanau andhapu are excluded from decision-making and denied the rights over theirresources just as they always have been. Bruce Jesson foresaw these trends backin the 1980s. This lecture challenges this agenda and identifies the basicprinciples for a politics that genuinely empowers the people. ProfessorMargaret Mutu, chairperson of Te Runanga-a-Iwi o Ngti Kahu, will be thediscussant on the lecture.
Thursday, November 4, 9am-5pm, Conference Room 1 – Copthorne HotelAuckland City 196 – 200 Quay Street
Globalisation and Labour in the Pacific: Re-evaluating the 1890 Maritime Strike9.00-5.30pm, Thursday 4 November 2010 SYMPOSIUM INVITATION Organised by theAuckland Labour History Group and the Labour History Project In associationwith the Australian Society for the Study of Labour History and NZWALMI. Paperswill be presented on the 1890 strike, its broader political and historicalimpact, the nature of Pacific Rim connections in the labour market and betweenlabour organisations, lessons for contemporary labour relations in the maritimeindustry in the Pacific, and the impact of globalisation generally in PacificRim labour relations. Attendance: All welcome. Fee: $40 includes lunch andrefreshments. All registrations to Ann Williamson at nzwalmi@aut.ac.nz Information subject tochange
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“I call it neutron-bomb monetary policy. The banks are still standing, whilethe people are getting killed.” Arnold King http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2010/08/a_nice_sentence.html
“The state represents violence in a concentrated and organized form. Theindividual has a soul, but as the state is a soulless machine, it can never beweaned from violence to which it owes its very existence.” — MahatmaMohandas K. Gandhi
“I suspected I was just part of a racket at the time. Now I am sure of it.Like all members of the military profession I never had an original thoughtuntil I left the service. My mental faculties remained in suspended animationwhile I obeyed the orders of the higher- ups. This is typical with everyone inthe military service.” : General Smedley Butler. USMC (Ret.)
NEWANNOUNCEMENTS
SEEKING SUPPORT FOR FREE GAZA/ISM VOLUNTEER
Dear Friends, In May 2010, nine aid workers were shot dead by Israeli commandoswhen a humanitarian flotilla destined for Gaza was intercepted in internationalwaters by the Israeli Navy which is charged with enforcing the illegal andinhumane Siege of the Gaza Strip. Another flotilla, dubbed Freedom FlotillaTwo, is to set sail in October 2010. Palestine Human Rights CampaignAotearoa/New Zealand (PHRC) is raising money to enable a New Zealander to jointhe upcoming flotilla in the hope of breaking the Siege. If successful thevolunteer will stay on in the Gaza Strip to work for International SolidarityMovement (ISM), http://www.palsolidarity.org. ISM supportsthe non-violent movement resisting Israel’s military occupation ofPalestinian land, which includes documenting and publicising human rightsviolations. The Palestinian-led organisation came to international prominencein 2003 when ISM volunteers Rachel Corrie and Tom Hurndall were killed byIsraeli forces. Human rights defenders, particularly ISM volunteers, areroutinely denied entry to the Occupied Palestinian Territory by Israel andEgypt.
Freedom Flotilla Two is being coordinated by the Free Gaza Movement,www.freegaza.org. Free Gaza was formed to challenge directly theIsraeli-Egyptian blockade by sailing ships carrying humanitarian aid and humanrights defenders to Gaza. Since August 2008, Free Gaza has made eight solovoyages; most recently, it took part in the fateful May 2010 flotilla as amember of a six-partner coalition. Free Gaza has several endorsers, includingnotable individuals such as Desmond Tutu and Noam Chomsky, and groups withwhich PHRC has had some association such as Palestinian Centre for HumanRights, www.pchrgaza.org, and thePalestine Medical Relief Society, http://www.pmrs.ps. Our fundraising target is $5000($3000 for the airfare, $2000 for living expenses including the estimate ofsupport in the Gaza Strip, with Free Gaza raising the money to purchase theboats and cargo, and cover the cost of sailing). If, for any reason, PHRC isunable to send a New Zealander to Gaza, the money will be returned infull.
Janfrie Wakim on behalf of PHRC
P.S: Please make donations by direct credit PHRC 06 0145 0045138 00 or bysending a cheque to PHRC, Box 56150, Mt Eden, Auckland. All donations will bereceipted. Advice on internet deposits must be emailed to jwakim@xtra.co.nz so that receipts can beprovided.
INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN OF SUPPORT FOR MAPUCHE POLITICAL PRISONERS ONHUNGER STRIKE IN CHILE
Kia ora koutou, I’m not sure if you will have heard of the critical situationof the Mapuche political prisoners in Chile. 32 of them have now been on ahunger strike since July 12, so as you can imagine their situation is gettingdesperate. All are in prison under terrorism laws for acts taken in defense oftheir indigenous lands. The Chilean media has kept a strict silence on thehunger strike so solidarity organisations are trying to raise internationalawareness and pressure in support of their cause. The demands of the hungerstrike are for the righ to fair trails, freedom of all Mapuche politicalprisoners and the repeal of the Anti-Terrorist law. Please help by adding yourname and comments to a letter of support on the following website. This morningI counted only 5 names from Aotearoa – let’s make it 500! Read the letter ofsupport here: International campaign of support for Mapuche political prisonerson hunger strike in Chile
FREE FILM EVENINGS AT THE QUAKER MEETING HOUSE 113 MT EDEN RD,AUCKLAND, 7-9PM.
Free films about people who have made a difference to the peaceful future ofthe earth by their actions. These are being shown as information eveningsleading up to the Global Work Day being organised by 350.org on 10/10/10.
Monday 13th September: Garbage Warriors: Charismaticeco-activist/architect Michael Reynolds has been building entirely sustainableand strangely beautiful communities out of beer cans, mud and old tyres in NewMexico for the past 30 years.
Monday 20th September: Convenient Truth: Urban Solutions fromCuritiba, Brazil. This inspirational documentary focuses on innovations intransportation, recycling and social benefits that transformed Curitiba intoone of the most livable cities in the world.
Monday 27th September: Earth Whisperers – Papatuanuku. 10quirky and inspiring New Zealanders who love nature and protect theirenvironment.
Monday 4th October: The Women Who Launched A Rainbow: Thestory of 5 New Zealand women activists who helped outfit and sail the RainbowWarrior on its major Pacific anti-nuclear voyages. Kit and Maynie: Tea,Scones and Nuclear Disarmament: Not only did they make a stand for whatthey believed in, Kit and Maynie walked the distance of true commitment tocreating a safer world. This is the story of these 90 year olds’activities from tea and scones to worldwide protest.
ARTWORK AUCTION
Signed original print of Kia Ora Gaza’s famous truck logo. KLARC, one of NewZealand’s best graphic artists, sketched Kia Ora Gaza’s famous truck logo.KLARC has generously gifted his original print for auction by Kia Ora Gaza. Thecolourful sketch is signed by the artist and has been laminated. This signedoriginal is available for purchase via auction from now until 8pm on Sunday 5September. The international mission to Gaza, the largest aid convoy since theSecond World War, will attract world attention. Our Kiwi Team will be part ofthis historic event. Featuring the iconic Kiwi, KLARC’s artwork puts theordinary Kiwi in the driver’s seat of this mission. The Kiwi, elbow out thewindow, determined look on face, associates our volunteers with ordinary Kiwisdoing extraordinary things to make a better world. The successful bidder forKLARC’s artwork will gain a lasting reminder of this historic convoy sketchedby a renowned artist in his field. This is predicted to be an artwork that willresonate with historic and cultural significance over the years ahead. And thepurchaser will be contributing towards the $100,000 Appeal to fund our KiwiTeam and the aid and vehicles they are taking to Gaza. So here art and moralitygo hand-in-hand. HOW TO BID: To bid, you simply email your offer for KLARC’ssigned original to: grantmorgan@paradise.net.nz The highestbid at any given time is displayed on kiaoragaza.net (on the sidebar). A code(consisting of a letter of the alphabet) will be assigned to every bidder toprotect their privacy. The auction has already been kicked off with an openingbid of $250 (code of bidder: R). A reserve has been set. That means even thehighest bid may lose if it’s still too low. The auction will end at precisely8pm on Sunday 5 September. LET THE BIDDING BEGIN. Email your bid right now tograntmorgan@paradise.net.nz
BEST ON THE WEB
NEW ZEALAND
Thousands protest early childhood cuts http://www.3news.co.nz/Thousands-protest-early-childhood-cuts/tabid/423/articleID/173025/Default.aspx
George Galloway invites interview by Sean Plunket of TV3’s The Nation: RogerFowler of Kia Ora Gaza was interviewed by Sean Plunket during his TV3 show TheNation on 15 August 2010. During this show, Mr Plunket made a number ofreferences to George Galloway and Viva Palestina, the UK-based charity hefounded. In a statement sent to Kia Ora Gaza, Mr Galloway disputes what wassaid on Mr Plunket’s show. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1008/S00314/galloway-disputes-claims-on-the-nation.htm
Pokies debate rolls into city http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/local/news/pokies-debate-rolls-into-city/3920579/
Victims of partner violence often speak out but don’t always get helphttp://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1008/S00347/victims-of-partner-violence-often-speak-out.htm
Death throes of the soulless party of self interest http://www.nzherald.co.nz/matt-mccarten/news/article.cfm?a_id=284&objectid=10669555
PSNA Letter In “Philippine Daily Inquirer” http://politics.inquirer.net/politics/view/20100825-288608/Will-promise-of-change-turn-out-to-be-another-election-promise
Overstayers giving up on unbearable’ life http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10668321
John Minto: What Key should have said on crime http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/blogs/frontline/4067652/What-Key-should-have-said-on-crime
Drop the charges against political activists – The case of the 18 defendantsarrested in the nation-wide raids of 15 October 2007 is back in the AucklandHigh Court this week. http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1008/S00266.htm
Preliminary statement of the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples,Professor James Anaya, on his visit in July http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/unsr2010.htm
Pro-Israel Herald advert sparks war of words http://www.3news.co.nz/Pro-Israel-Herald-advert-sparks-war-of-words/tabid/417/articleID/170120/Default.aspx
‘Powerful and powerless’ sentence gap widens http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/4061985/Powerful-and-powerless-sentence-gap-widens
Cannabis Pipes Must Not Be Outlawed- A proposed Bill that would see smokingdevices like pipes, bongs, and vapourisers outlawed will increase the harm tothe community from drugs, as banning such items would only encourage youngKiwis to use cannabis in more damaging ways. http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1008/S00341.htm
Unusual Stance for Minister of Conservation – For The Minister ofConservation to decline an application for a marine reserve because itconflicted with fishing is akin to claiming that the government shouldn’tcreate national parks because they conflict with the interests of mining. http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1008/S00288.htm
John Minto: Bennett’s crypto-racist dog whistling http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/blogs/frontline/4055338/Bennetts-crypto-racist-dog-whistling
League tables will demoralise students – TEU media release http://teu.ac.nz/2010/08/league-tables-will-demoralise-students-teu-media-release/
Simon Cunliffe: Region responds to paper’s call to arms http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10668654
PSA: Ministry job cuts won’t boost student achievement http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1008/S00085/ministry-job-cuts-wont-boost-student-achievement.htm
Government early childhood education policy defies logic http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1008/S00077/government-ece-policy-defies-logic.htm
Deaths of fishing crew members a maritime tragedy http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1008/S00223/deaths-of-fishing-crew-members-a-maritime-tragedy.htm
Hone Harawira: Ae Marika: Te Miringa “Milton” Hohaia – I lost avery good friend last week – Te Miringa “Milton” Hohaia – a true leader withinthe tino rangatiratanga movement and a passionate believer in the reo. http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1008/S00363.htm
Government Can No Longer Hide Behind Claims of Widespread Support forNational Standards http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1008/S00097/govt-can-no-longer-hide-behind-claims-of-support.htm
Invest in jobs and wages, not beneficiary bashing http://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/invest-jobs-and-wages-not-beneficiary-bashing
Susan St John & Claire Dale: Pension rules causing stress and ill healthhttp://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10666540
Tapu Misa: Early-childhood funding cuts miss point http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10668107
NZ ECONOMY
Jane Kelsey: The folly of using private companies for public services http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10668821
Disaster looms in south http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10669541
CTU: Government playing with numbers over wage growth http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1008/S00243/government-playing-with-numbers-over-wage-growth.htm
Falling prices paralyse investment in property http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10667177
Pacific Blue departure will cost jobs http://www.epmu.org.nz/news/show/173141
ASB reverse mortgages sign of a return to risky lending http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/asb-reverse-mortgages-sign-return-risky-lending/5/60516
NZ’s savings chasm has to be bridged By Brian Fallow http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10668811
Questions about Hotchin and Watson – Fran O’Sullivan writes in her NZHeraldcolumn about a campaign by Hanover Finance investor John Hepburn to get theauthorities to investigate the directors of Hanover Finance over the legitimacyof NZ$17 million of dividends paid to Mark Hotchin and Eric Watson in the finalfew months of the Hanover debacle and why they were paid out while the companywas apparently insolvent http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10668591.
When belt tightening is not enough By Simon Collins http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10666600
Great country, shame about prices http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10667670
Land of expensive milk and honey http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10667773
‘Smiling assassin’ targets rich immigrants http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10668580
NZ WORK RIGHTS
Cabinet papers reveal Government’s blinkers on employment reforms http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/cabinet-papers-reveal-government039s-blinkers-employment-reforms/5/60657
Who really pushed 90 day job law http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10669180&ref=rss
Submission on the Employment Relations Amendment Bill No2: We want as manypeople as possible to submit to Parliament’s Transport and Industrial RelationsSelect Committee and explain why the Government’s proposed changes toemployment law are unfair. http://fairness.org.nz/onlinesubmissioner
Fairness@Work Rally
Sacked worker wins first 90-day law case http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10668569
First 90 Day Case – shot across bow to employers http://teu.ac.nz/2010/08/first-90-day-case-%E2%80%93-shot-across-bow-to-employers/
TV3: Employment law changes spark protests – Video http://www.3news.co.nz/Employment-law-changes-spark-protests/tabid/370/articleID/171925/Default.asp
TV1: Workers rally against labour law changes http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/workers-rally-against-labour-law-changes-3724506
TV1 Video: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/workers-rally-against-labour-law-changes-3724506/video
Workers’ fate rests on fighting new labour laws http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10667877
Burger Fuel store picketed – Video http://www.3news.co.nz/Burger-Fuel-store-picketed-/tabid/369/articleID/171804/Default.aspx
‘Biggest labour shake-up in 20 years’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/employment/news/article.cfm?c_id=11&objectid=10667690
2000 NDU members support fairness at work http://www.youtube.com/nduunion
90-day bill passes first reading http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/90-day-bill-passes-first-reading-3720410?ref=facebook
“Utu Squad” Names And Shames Burger Fuel For 89th Day Sacking http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/quotutu-squadquot-names-and-shames-burger-fuel-89th-day-sacking/5/59488
Burger Fuel rejects union campaign http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/4044983/Burger-Fuel-rejects-union-campaign
Government playing with numbers over wage growth http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1008/S00243/government-playing-with-numbers-over-wage-growth.htm
Hundreds protest employment law reform http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10667838
Unions battle to regain lost ground By Simon Collins http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10667663
Dunedin rallies over 90 day probation law http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/dunedin-rallies-over-90-day-probation-law-3725250
Bus drivers accept 11% pay increase http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/2010/08/stability-for-wellington%E2%80%99s-bus-users-to-2013/
Andrew Little’s speech, Wellington Fairness at Work rally – You Tube http://www.youtube.com/user/NZAEPMU
Photos: TEU at the Fairness at Work rallies http://www.flickr.com/photos/teu/sets/72157624783402336/
Photos: EPMU Fairness at Work rallies, 21-22 August 2010 http://www.flickr.com/photos/epmu/collections/72157624786811548/
Photos: Dunedin Fairness at Work Rally Sunday 22 August 2010 http://www.flickr.com/photos/maritimeunion/sets/72157624795545420/
Fight Back Rally Auckland University 28 JUL 2010 from Billy Hania on Vimeo.Karl Andersen from the NDU, bullied workers from Risotech Foods, Sue Bradford,Matt McCarten from Unite and Bill Newsum from the EPMU speak out at Unite onCampus’s Fightback Rally. Viideo http://vimeo.com/14330875
NDU:Unions Closing Australian Wage Gap – So Why Restrict Access? http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/unions-closing-australian-wage-gap-so-why-restrict-access/5/60382
CTU: More time needed for submissions on employment laws http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/more-time-needed-submissions-employment-laws/5/60373
Affco must negotiate in good faith with workers – The CTU is calling onAffco management to end its intimidatory stand-off with meat workers in Wairoaand to resume bargaining with the Meatworkers … http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1008/S00316.htm
Keith Locke stands up for Workers’ Rights – Employment Relations AmendmentBill (No2) First Reading http://www.greens.org.nz/speeches/keith-locke-stands-workers-rights-employment-relations-amendment-bill-no2-first-reading
Radiographers make DHBs a counter offer http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10669270
A tale of two banks Westpac staff celebrate settlement – Publiccampaign launched by staff against ANZ A tale of two banks http://business.scoop.co.nz/2010/08/28/a-tale-of-two-banks/
FEATURES
Seumus Milne: The transformation of Latin America is a global advance – Theradical tide is about to be put to the test in Brazil and Venezuela. If supportholds, it will have lessons for all of us http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/aug/18/latin-america-venezuela-brazil-elections
It’s the Beginning of the End for the American Empire http://www.alternet.org/story/147880/it%27s_the_beginning_of_the_end_for_the_american_empire
Global Unionism – which way forward? Looking at the example ofunionism in Mexico, Richard Leitch discusses different approaches to buildingunion internationalism. http://newunionism.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/global-unionism-which-way-forward/
Sugar – the short biography of a commodity http://www.feralscholar.org/blog/index.php/2010/08/26/a-few-things-about-sugar/
Noam Chomsky: Power Hunger Tempered by Self-deception – Video – ProfessorNoam Chomsky explaining the 2008 bubble, democracy and neo-liberalism /corporatism i.e. the economic / monetary system, from an american perspective.http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article26233.htm
A Mutant Form of Capitalism 2 Minute Video – An animated interview of JohnPerkins, author of ‘HoodWinked’ and ‘Confessions Of An Economic Hitman’ http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article26184.htm
WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
America’s century is over, but it will fight on – The structural problems ofthe US economy are too deepseated and intractable to be solved by regular dosesof cheap money http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/23/us-economy-unemployment-property-market
USA: How Bad Was July’s Plummet in Home Sales? http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2010/08/how-bad-was-julys-plummet-in-home-sales/61959/
The Economy Is Getting Worse and Worse — And No One’s Doing a Thing AboutIt http://tinyurl.com/33g8ck8
Stiglitz Says European Economy at Risk of Double-Dip Recession http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-24/stiglitz-says-government-cuts-set-to-push-europe-into-double-dip-recession.html
Let Them Eat Credit – How inequality is at the root of the Great Recession.http://www.tnr.com/article/economy/77242/inequality-recession-credit-crunch-let-them-eat-credit
Income Inequality and Financial Crises http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/weekinreview/22story.html?_r=1
FOOD, FARMING AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Before salmonella outbreak, egg firm had long record of violations http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/21/AR2010082102822.html?hpid=topnews
Climate Change – Who’s Carrying the Burden? The Chilly Climatesof the Global Environmental Dilemma by L. Anders Sandberg & Tor SandbergPrice: $35. Purchaee online from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/ourschools-ourselves/climate-change-whos-carrying-burden
Johann Hari: How much proof do the global warming deniers need? http://tinyurl.com/34zpzr7
CULTURAL DISSENT
Black Bolivians’ voice in music http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/global/Black-Bolivians-voice-in-music-100983029.html
REVIEW: Foot-soldiers of neo-liberalism – Does aid work? A new book examinesthe troubled relationship between aid and Ethiopia’s recent history.Review by Susan Jappie http://www.aworldtowin.net/reviews/famine.html
INSIDE JOB Official Trailer in HD!
‘The War on Democracy’ Video By John Pilger – “The film tells a universalstory,” says Pilger, “analysing and revealing, through vivid testimony, thestory of great power behind its venerable myths. It allows us to understand thetrue nature of the so-called war on terror”. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18236.htm
AFGHANISTAN
The gangs of Kandahar – the city’s real power?: Declared by President Obamaas this year’s top priority in the ongoing war in Afghanistan, Kandahar is thecountry’s second city and the heartland of the Taliban rebel movement. http://bit.ly/d3RuGY
Afghans mark Independence Day with anti-occupation protest http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/derrick/2010/08/afghans-mark-independence-day-anti-occupation-protests-jalalabad-0
AFGHANISTAN CRISIS DEEPENS: U.S., CANADA AND NATO THREATEN TO EXTEND WAR byTim Kennelly http://www.socialistvoice.ca/?p=1304
AUSTRALIA
Australia: Film — `Alyawarr walk-off protest vs Northern Territoryintervention’ http://links.org.au/node/1856
Bob Brown interview: ‘We’re Australia’s progressiveparty’ http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45104
BANGLADESH
Support Garment Workers in Bangladesh http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article/articleview/9548/
Urgent Alert: Bangladesh workers’ organization staff arrested http://en.maquilasolidarity.org/node/952
CUBA
A Trip to Prison With One of the Cuban Five – Visiting Gerardo http://breakallchains.blogspot.com/2010/08/trip-to-prison-with-one-of-cuban-five.html
CHILE
International campaign of support for Mapuche political prisoners on hungerstrike in Chile http://www.mapuche.info/?kat=8&sida=788
Have a look at this video, a pacific demonstration in support of theMapuche’s political prisoners in hunger strike. Repressed by the Chileanpolice, this is what they call democracy.
CHINA
Workers Let Go by China’s Banks Are Putting Up a Fight http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/16/world/asia/16china.html?_r=1
Foot Massage Doubles and Chinese Doubt Official Price Data http://www.bloomberg.com/news/print/2010-08-25/china-s-official-inflation-data-mask-surge-in-food-prices-medical-costs.html
Das Kapital relaunched as musical manifesto for capital-obsessed China http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/indepth/2010-08/24/c_13459950.htm
FRANCE
France Deports Roma en masse By Antoine Lerougetel http://www.countercurrents.org/antoine210810.htm
GREECE
Entering a Death Spiral? Tensions Rise in Greece as Austerity MeasuresBackfire http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,712511,00.html
INDIA
It is ‘no’ to Vedanta’s mine project in Orissa http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article591546.ece
IRAQ
Robert Fisk: Iraq: Torture. Corruption. Civil War. America Has CertainlyLeft Its Mark http://www.countercurrents.org/fisk210810.htm
Iraq War Vet Camilo Meja: US Withdrawal Plan Marks “Privatization ofMilitary Occupation” http://www.democracynow.org/2010/8/20/iraq_war_vet_camilo_mejia_us
U.S. Occupation of Iraq More Than Doubles Poverty, Sickness — LeavesCountry a Total Disaster – The American public has no idea just how terriblewe’ve made conditions in Iraq. http://tinyurl.com/389pov2
The Fakest Military Withdrawal Imaginable in Iraq http://www.alternet.org/story/147985/the_fakest_military_withdrawal_imaginable_in_iraq
MEXICO
Mexico: Bleeding to Death in the War on Drugs http://www.alternet.org/story/147977/mexico%3A_bleeding_to_death_in_the_war_on_drugs
PACIFIC
Fiji democracy group planning pirate radio http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10668126
PAKISTAN
The flood disaster and the way out http://links.org.au/node/1853
PALESTINE
Israel/Palestine and the Apartheid Analogy: Critics, Apologists andStrategic lessons (Part 1) by Ran Greenstein http://tinyurl.com/3x26dhd
Israel: An Apatheid State By Francis A. Boyle, Professor of InternationalLaw, Legal Advisor to the Palestinian Delegation to the Middle East PeaceNegotiations (1991-93) : “There are roads in the West Bank for Jews only.Palestinians can’t ride there and now they’re introducing new legislation thatJews cannot even ride Palestinians in their cars. Israeli apartheid against thePalestinians is worse than the apartheid that the Afrikaners inflicted on theBlacks in South Africa” http://www.countercurrents.org/boyle180810.htm
Israel: New Peak in Arbitrary Razing of Palestinian Homes http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/08/19/israel-new-peak-arbitrary-razing-palestinian-homes?tr=y&auid=6892590
Haneen Zoabi’s message to Israel: I’ll be back on the flotilla http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=21996
Video: Ilan Pappe on “The Nakba of Palestine”
Palestinian Female Prisoners And The Struggle For Freedom By Reham Alhelsi -Since 1967 more than 800,000 Palestinians, including 15,000 Palestinian women,were detained by the Zionist entity http://www.countercurrents.org/alhelsi190810.htm
Hamas: A Beginner’s Guide – Book Review: Israel, the United States and theEuropean Union call Hamas a “terrorist organisation”. Yet Hamas swept tovictory in the 2006 Palestinian elections and stunned the world. It is now ademocratically elected political party. All the election observers agreed thatthe elections were free, fair, and democratic. The Palestinian people showedtheir ability to establish a democratic state next to Israel. But Israel, theUnited States and the EU did not like this idea of a democratic Palestinianstate beside Israel and the outcome of a democratic election. According totheir opinion, the Palestinian people voted democratically, but for the wrongparty. What is wrong with the Hamas movement? And why is it demonised byIsrael, the US and the European Union? The reviewed book asks all relevantquestions concerning Hamas and gives very balanced answers. http://www.palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=16205
This first-rate documentary that I reviewed at
Gaza: hard days in Ramadan: no power, no water, soaring heats http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=69059&s2=23
Israel’s ambassador defends the indefensible http://tinyurl.com/262cdhz
Israeli army’s female recruits denounce treatment of Palestinians http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/22/israel-female-soldiers-gaza-occupation#send-email
Anna Baltzer & Dr. Mustafa Barghouti on The Daily Show with Jon Stewarthttp://www.annainthemiddleeast.com/video/index.html
Checkpoint:A Video Documentary By Yoav Shamir: Israeli filmmaker Yoav Shamironce served his army reserve duty as a checkpoint guard, which was whatinspired him to make this documentary, Checkpoint. For 80 minutes, Shamirsimply shows us videotape of what happens at the various checkpoints that theIsraeli government operates, which are in place to regulate the travel ofPalestinians, purportedly in an effort to combat terrorism http://www.countercurrents.org/shamir280810.htm
Global boycott movement claims victories, arrests http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11485.shtml
Veolia whitewashes illegal light rail project http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11488.shtml
PHILIPPINES
PSNA appeals to P-Noy: release all political prisoners http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view/20100820-287785/PSNA-appeals-to-P-Noy-release-all-political-prisoners
SOMALIA
The U.S.-Made Mess in Somalia By Gwynne Dyer – The U.S. decision in 2006 tosend Ethiopian troops into Somalia was one of the stupidest moves in a verystupid decade. This week, some of the chickens spawned by that decision camehome to roost. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article26247.htm
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa: Public sector strike highlights post-apartheid’scontradictions http://links.org.au/node/1852
COSATU’s Zwelinzima Vavi’s Ruth First Memorial Lecture http://links.org.au/node/1851
UK
Interview: Vanessa Perroncel – In January, it was “revealed” that theEngland captain John Terry had had an affair with a team-mate’s ex-girlfriend.But nothing was heard from the woman at the centre of the scandal, VanessaPerroncel. Here, the 34-year-old mother finally sets out her (very different)side of the story http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/aug/22/john-terry-vanessa-perroncel-sex-scandal/print
USA
Poll: Nearly 6 in 10 oppose war in Afghanistan http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j34wJrEYh7J3IiyhYvsCnWfSl31QD9HN9OB80
Strike wave! There are many ways to measure the death of organized labor asa social force in the U.S. Here’s what might be the most objective one:the virtual disappearance of labor’s ultimate weapon, the strike. http://lbo-news.com/2010/08/18/strike-wave/
The Rise of the Perma-Temp http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/04/edlife/04BERGERT.html?pagewanted=print
Subprime Education Scam: Guaranteed by Government http://michaelperelman.wordpress.com/2010/08/21/subprime-education-scam-guaranteed-by-government/
Fallout of Hate Is Spreading Across America from “Ground Zero” – Thehysteria over a planned Islamic community center in downtown Manhattan is onlythe tip of the iceberg http://tinyurl.com/23fghf2
The shrinking ‘middle class’ and the unraveling of America’s founding mythhttp://www.pslweb.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=14379&news_iv_ctrl=1008
AMAZING SPEECH BY WAR VETERAN http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=akm3nYN8aG8&feature=fvw
State apologizes for mistreatment of Italian residents during WWII http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-italians-20100823,0,2551162.story
For America’s Middle Class, the Hits Just Keep on Coming http://tinyurl.com/2cr928a
How A Hero in New Orleans After Hurricane Katrina Was Arrested, Labeled ATerrorist And Imprisoned By Abdulrahman Zeitoun http://www.countercurrents.org/zeitoun280810.htm
VENEZUELA
Land reform, food sovereignty and agroecology – A massive transformation ofagriculture is occurring in Venezuela, a transformation that has lessons forevery other country in the world. http://links.org.au/node/1855
NYT Exploits Own Iraq Death Toll Denial to Trash Venezuela http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/5591
OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS
DECEMBER 13-21, 2010. 17TH WORLD FESTIVAL OF YOUTH AND STUDENTS, INSOUTH AFRICA. AN INVITATION FOR YOUTH AND STUDENTS IN NEW ZEALAND AND THEPACIFIC
Join thousands of youth and students from around the world discussing anddebating the future of humanity under the banner, “Let’s defeatimperialism, for a world of peace, solidarity and social transformation.”The festivals began in 1947 as young people reacted to the brutalities of worldwar and have continued through the decades since, addressing the politicalchallenges for youth and students. A week of activities will includeconferences, seminars, workshops, sporting and cultural events. Each day isdedicated to a different region of the world and their particular struggles,and one day to South Africa as the host nation. Full details of the calldescribing the political focus for this year’s festival can be found atthe festival website, along with a programme of activities. http://www.wfdy.org/17wfys/ Yourorganisation may be interested in sending a representative to the festival orwould like to assist in building a delegation from New Zealand to South Africa,or you may be an individual keen to join a delegation. All participants willneed to cover their own travel costs and pay a one off registration fee for thefestival which will cover accommodation, transport and food while in SouthAfrica. For more information contact Annalucia Vermunt, Tel: 09-525-7407.Communist League & Young Socialists E-mail: ysnz@xtra.co.nz or P.O. Box3025, Auckland, New Zealand.
WELCOME TO THE MEDIA, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM & TECHNOLOGYCONFERENCE 2010
Practitioners, journalists, academics, researchers and students who work in thecreative industries are invited to participate in a Fourth Estate“conversation” at the inaugural Media, Investigative Journalism& Technology Conference 2010. The conference will be held at AUT Universityin Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand, on December 4 & 5, 2010. Thisinternational conference is dedicated to exploring investigative journalism anddocumentary techniques, methodologies and technologies of critical value topublic interest issues and to identify and support journalists, photographersand film makers facing pressures and obstacles.
OCTOBER15THSOLIDARITY.INFO NEWSLETTER NO. FIFTEEN – 2ND AUGUST2010
we send out irregular updates on the campaign to support the people arrested inthe state terror raids in Aotearoa (New Zealand) on 15th October 2007. Althoughcharges under the Terrorism Suppression Act were never laid, 18 people arestill facing charges under the Arms Act and 5 are charged with being members ofan organised criminal group. At the moment, the starting date for the trial is8th August 2011. DROP THE CHARGES!UPCOMING EVENTS: 15thOctober – three years since the raids Events are planned for the thirdanniversary of the raids. We will keep you up to date with what’s happeningcloser to the time. http://october15thsolidarity.info/
CAMP FOR CLIMATE ACTION AOTEAROA NATIONAL GATHERING – WELLPARKCOLLEGE OF NATURAL THERAPIES, 6 FRANCIS STREET, AUCKLAND, SEPTEMBER 4 &5
Camp for Climate Action Aotearoa is having a national Gathering in Auckland.The aim of the Gathering is to map out a coherent and collectively formulateddirection for CCAA, and YOU are invited. Get together with your local climatecamp group now as we are creating a bunch of proposals for Climate Camp whichwill be brought to the gathering and collectively addressed. Dont be shy! Allare welcome to attend!
HAMMER THE POKIES
GPJA is still on the quest for 200 people willing to take part in a civildisobedience exercise whereby they register their hammers for a “hammerthe pokies” protest. We have around 40 people registered so far but to besuccessful we need a lot more. There are over 20,000 pokie machines in localcommunities (non-casino pokies) which are sucking the lifeblood from low-incomeareas (over half the machines are in the poorest third of communities).Families coping with pokie addicts in the recession just adds to the misery ofwhole communities left behind by growing inequality. We’d like GPJAmembers to help spread the word. You can get a copy of the campaign flyer,register your hammer or for more information email johnminto@orcon.net.nz or phone Johnat 8463173.
JUSTICE AND LIBERATION: THE ROAD TO PEACE – FILIPINO PROGRESSIVELEADERS TO TOUR NZ OCTOBER/NOVEMBER
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. We are appealing for funds. PSNAwill underwrite the tour, but we definitely need financial help because we arehosting two people. The amount needed is $10,000. The two international faresfrom Europe is the biggest cost, at $6,000. We will keep their domestic traveland accommodation costs as cheap as possible.
Luis Jalandoni and Coni Ledesma’s tour presents a unique opportunity tohear firsthand about a four decades long war, and accompanying peace process,in our own backyard that is almost totally unknown to New Zealanders. Pleasehelp make this exciting tour possible. Please make cheques to PSNA, Box 2450,Christchurch, with a note saying that it is for the Jalandoni tour. Or, we willsupply our bank account details upon request.
ITINERARY
Tuesday October 26 – Christchurch: Public Meeting – 7.30p.m. Knox Presbyterian Church Lounge, 28 Bealey Avenue. Contact: Murray Horton,0274 307742 cafca@chch.planet.org.nz
Wednesday October 27 – Blenheim: Public Meeting, 7.30pm,Nativity Centre Lounge, cnr Alfred and Henry Sts. Contact: Steffan Browning,021 725655 greeny25
Thursday October 28 & Friday 29 – Wellington: PublicMeeting – 7.30 p.m. Thursday 28, St John’s Hall, corner Willis& Dixon Streets. Contact: Rod Prosser 021 0744992 communitymedia@paradise.net.nz
Monday November 1 – Palmerston North: Public Meeting– 7.30 p.m., 1st Floor, PSA House, 49 King Street. Contact: Dion Martin(06) 3569658 (w), 021 776029 Dion.Martin@ndu.org.nz
Tuesday November 2 & Wednesday 3 – New Plymouth:Public Meeting – 6.30 p.m. Wednesday 3rd, Govett Brewster Art Gallery, 42Queen Street. Contact: Fiona Clark (06) 7547014; fionaclark@clear.net.nz
Thursday November 4 – Hamilton: Public Meeting –7.30 p.m., Waikato Trade Union Centre, 34 Harwood Street. Contact: BobAnderson, (07) 8297882, 021 776023; ban@xtra.co.nz
Friday November 5 to Friday November 12: Auckland &Whangarei. Auckland Contact: Dennis Maga (09) 8276059, 022 6073918 dennis.maga@xtra.co.nz. Whangarei:Public Meeting – Friday November 5, 7 p.m., Manaia PHO Rooms, Rust Ave,central Whangarei. Contact: Tim Howard 027 3089216 the-farm@ihug.co.nz
WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST JANUARY 21-23, 2011
The Waihopai spybase was subjected to unprecedented public attention by theMarch 2010 trial and acquittal of the three Ploughshares peace activists whopenetrated its high security in 2008 and deflated one of the two domesconcealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. The Anti-Bases Campaign washappy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity, from startto finish. The public face of New Zealand’s role as an American ally isthe NZ military presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealand’s mostsignificant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one inIraq, is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in theWaihopai Valley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand(including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea whatgoes on there, let alone any control. Join us for the weekend of anti-warprotest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. Weprovide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring theirown). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eatingutensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. Noopen fires. How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9kmnorth 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 theWhites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basicfacilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head. This will be the firstWaihopai spybase protest since the Domebusters’ acquittal on all chargesarising from their courageous citizens’ deflation action. Waihopai doesnot operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically itis a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in America’swars.
CLOSE THE WAIHOPAI SPYBASE NOW! Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box2258, Christchurch. E-mail cafca@chch.planet.org.nz http://www.converge.org.nz/abc Make allcheques to ABC..
KIA ORA GAZA – KIWI AID TO GAZA
Gaza’s 1.5 million people are imprisoned by the state of Israel in agiant concentration camp. The Israeli military enforces a blockade of essentialsupplies. There is terrible suffering, especially among the children. Thecitizens of Gaza face collective punishment, which is illegal underinternational law. On 31 May 2010, a Gaza aid flotilla was hijacked on the opensea by Israel’s military. Nine civilian aid workers were shot to death.To break the siege of Gaza, on 12th September mass aid convoys will set offfrom London by sea and land. We want to see Kiwi volunteers and aid go withthem. Kia Ora Gaza is raising funds to make this possible. Please give yoursupport. Write a cheque for ‘Kia Ora Gaza’ and post to:• KiaOra Gaza, PO Box 59-007, Auckland. Or make a payment directly into our bankaccount:• Kia Ora Gaza, 03-0211-0447718-000, Westpac Bank, Onehungabranch. Encourage your family and friends to make a personal donation. Appealto • organisations you are involved with to make an institutionaldonation. All funds raised by Kia Ora Gaza will be audited by a professionalwho is independent of our bank trustees. Email: grantmorgan@paradise.net.nzWebsite: http://kiaoragaza.net/
BE MORE THAN JUST A TOURIST! JOIN THE SOUTHERN CROSS BRIGADE TOCUBA: DEC 27, 2010 TO JAN 20, 2011
Join the 28th Southern Cross Brigade and support Cuba in the mostdirect manner by working alongside Cubans, visiting unions, schools, hospitals,cultural sites, performances & urban agriculture projects, learning thesalsa, meeting Cubans, fraternising with other international guests and havingfree time in Havana. You will experience at first hand the cultural, politicaland social conditions in socialist Cuba. This year’s program will giveparticipants an opportunity to join in the celebration of ICAPs (Cuba Institutefor Friendship With The Peoples Of The World) 50th anniversary & theongoing success of the Cuban Revolution. Find out more at http://www.cubasolidarity.org.nz;register at wkcultur(03 7324010) or Ina at inashina@clearnet.net.nz ((093031755). Cost: $1100 (after July 31st, $1200) – excluding airfare, taxes andhealth insurance.
THE ROGER AWARD – NOMINATIONS OPEN
Nominations for the 2010 Roger Award are now open. The nomination form withdetails of the criteria and how to make a nomination is available in in Word(54 KB) or PDFformat (164KB). Nominations close on 31 October 2010. Send your nominationsto: The Roger Award, Box 2258, Christchurch, or CAFCA [cafca@chch.planet.org.nz] Fulldetails of the Roger Award, including all the past winners and theJudges’ Reports on them can be read at http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/index.htmlThe judges for 2010 are: Paul Corliss, from Christchurch, anorganiser with the Tertiary Education Union and a life member of the Rail andMaritime Transport Union; Christine Dann, from BanksPeninsula, a writer and researcher; Sue Bradford, fromAuckland, a community activist and former Green MP; JoceJesson, a Senior Lecturer in Critical Studies in Education, Universityof Auckland, and a community activist; and Wayne Hope,Associate Professor, Communications Studies, Auckland University of Technology.They will be given a shortlist of finalists. The winner(s) will be announced atan Auckland event in April 2011.
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.org or phone Lisa Macdonald +61 413 031 108, Jim McIlroy +61 423 741 734 or RobertoJorquera +61 425 182 994.
GPJA 