#346: Free the Cuban 5 – 12th anniversary of arrest and detention

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND
NEWSLETTER No. 346, September 4, 2010

SOLIDARITY WITH THE CUBAN FIVE – 12^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT OF 5 CUBAN PATRIOTS
Auckland: Friday, September 10, 5pm, Info picket, US Consulate, Customs St,

THE CUBAN FIVE ARE POLITICAL PRISONERS serving two life sentences and 98 years collectively Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González and René González were arrested on September 12th, 1998 by the FBI and locked for the next 17 months in solitary confinement. They were falsley charged with espionage conspiracy. However, their actions were never directed at the U.S. government, they never harmed anyone nor possessed any weapons. Their mission was preventing Miami terrorists from attacking Cuba.

For more than 50 years, the U.S. government has carried out aggressive policies against Cuba, using economic blockade and promoting terrorist organizations—based in Miami—to attack Cuba. Since 1959, more than 3,400 Cubans have died from the terrorists’ attacks.

The trial began November 2000 in Miami, where a virtual witchhunt atmosphere existed because of anti-Cuba prejudice. An unprecedented media campaign was unleashed against the Cuban Five. Their attorneys tried to move the trial to a venue away from Miami, but the judge refused. Now, newly-discovered evidence has revealed that while the U.S. government was prosecuting the Cuban Five, it was secretly paying prominent journalists in Miami to engage in propaganda against Cuba and the five Cubans– through Radio and TV Martí–creating a climate that would guarantee convictions.

The cause of the Cuban Five, who were peacefully defending their homeland from violent attack, has given birth to a worldwide movement to demand their freedom.

http://www.freethefive.org/

WHAT’S ON IN AUCKLAND

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 their sisters & brothers besieged in Gaza. Admission free. Donations collected for Kia Ora Gaza. Visit kiaoragaza.net

Monday 6 September, 6.30-9pm, Rm 039, Clocktower bldg, 22 Princes St
Reflections on the Holocaust , a seminar presented by Continuing Education at The University of Auckland. This symposium will consider the Holocaust or Shoah from Christian, Jewish and Muslim perspectives. Speakers: Douglas Pratt, Paul Morris, Zain Ali. Full details: www.cce.auckland.ac.nz or ph: 0800 864 266

Friday, September 10, 5pm, Info picket, US Consulate, Customs St
SOLIDARITY WITH THE CUBAN FIVE – 12TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT OF 5 CUBAN PATRIOTS

Friday, September 10, 8.30AM – 5.15PM, The University of Auckland Business School, Room OGGB5, Level 0, Owen G Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Road, Auckland
Forum: Rethinking welfare for the 21st century: Beyond the terms of reference. Retirement Policy and Research Centre, the Department of Sociology, University of Auckland, and Child Poverty Action Group. The terms of reference for the government-appointed Welfare Working Group were narrow. Researchers from Australia will join with their New Zealand colleagues in moving beyond these restrictions in debating welfare in order to seek answers to the question: where to go from here? The aim is to explore workable social and economic solutions to welfare issues, rather than to simply ‘make work pay’. Susan St John, CPAG’s Economics spokesperson will open and close the day and Mike O’Brien, Claire Dale and Sue Bradford from our Management Committee will also be participating.
BACKGROUND: the Government appointed a Welfare Working Group in April 2010 to conduct a wide-ranging and fundamental review of New Zealand’s welfare system, and make practical recommendations to improve the economic and social outcomes for beneficiaries and New Zealand as a whole. The first report of the Welfare Working Group is available here. The aim of this Welfare Forum is to move beyond the narrow terms of reference of the Welfare Working Group, and make recommendations that recognise the current economic climate, and foreground the needs of children. In planning for this day we have been particularly interested in learning from the Australian experience. Three speakers from Australia will join with experts from New Zealand in what should be an informative and stimulating day. Please register as soon as possible as places are limited. The forum programme is available here (29KB). RSVP:To register, please complete the registration form before Tuesday 7 September 2010 and email it to Tressy Menezes t.menezes@auckland.ac.nz (with cheque or credit card payment). Standard registration $50; Student registration $30 (includes morning and afternoon teas, and lunch). Places are limited and registration is essential.

Saturday, September 11, 7pm-1am, Pearce Street Hall, 3 Pearce Street, Onehunga, Auckland
PRIMERA FIESTA GUACHACA en NUEVA ZELANDA para Conmemorar el BI Centenario con Reina y todo Ya Poh Wachitos No se la Pierdan!!!!! You are invited to the”First Fonda Guachaca” in Auckland, New Zealand. We will have live music with “Calle Latina”, and traditional Latin American dance performances with Makehue Latin American Dance Group. We will have the best of our Latin food, as well as games, dance competitions and more… We are also looking for the first “Guachaca Queen”, if you would like to participate please send us your name and contact details to our email callelatina.nz@gmail.com (there is going to be a surprise prize for the winner). Entry tickets: $10. – Children under 12 free. So please do not wait any 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 to hear Judy McGregor, EEO Commissioner at the Human Rights Commission, speak on “Sex and Power”. Cost: $35 per ticket, $330 for a table of 10. Book online now : http://www.womens-health.org.nz/index.php?page=breakfast

Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th September, 11am, Mt Eden and Ponsonby Rd
The Auckland Peace Heritage Walk was launched during the 2009 Auckland Heritage Festival as part of the World March for Peace and Non-Violence. This year the Walk starts at two places simultaneously and ends at QEII Square where participants can together form a human peace sign (organised by members of the United Nations Youth Association of NZ). It is a self-guided walk, with participants able to choose from the brochure provided which of the peace sites they would like to visit, and depending on what distance they want to cover. There is also the option to run or cycle a route of approx 7km or 12 km. This is an event organized by the United Nations Association of NZ (Northern Region Branch) as a UN Peace Day event, together with Civic Trust Auckland. Groups such as walking or cycling groups, as well as families and individuals, are encouraged to participate. For further information please phone Audrey van Ryn on (09) 368 1516 or email audrey@writeaway.co.nz

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 fundraising performance of MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE A one-woman play. On the same weekend that six Kia Ora Gaza team members will join the mass land convoy departing London 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 Rafah while protecting the home of a Palestinian family – will open at The Basement Theatre in Auckland. Rachel Corrie was a uniquely perceptive, generous and brave individual. Growing up in Olympia, Washington, she developed a strong social conscience, along with a sharp sense of humour. In January 2003 she travelled to Palestine-Israel as a member of the International Solidarity Movement. On 16 March 2003, Rachel was killed by an Israeli military bulldozer while 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 is hope in the legacy of her writing. ‘I think my soul is nomadic’, Rachel once wrote. And the words she left behind encourage readers and audiences across the globe to meet her in a search for justice and truth. Edited by British actor and director Alan Rickman and Guardian journalist Katharine Viner, My Name is Rachel Corrie has been produced in over 13 countries. It is a testament to the power of individual bravery and collective hope. On Saturday 18 September, when Kia Ora Gaza’s six-person Kiwi Team depart London with convoy members from around the globe, we invite you to come and hear the words of a fellow activist intent on seeing the people of Gaza enjoy the same freedoms we take for granted. We know Rachel would certainly be there with the convoy were she here today. Her words live on.
‘I should at least mention that I am also discovering a degree of strength and of basic ability for humans to remain human in the direst of circumstances – which I also haven’t seen before. I think the word is dignity. I wish you could meet these people. Maybe, hopefully, someday you will.’ – Rachel Corrie, 2003. ‘Rachel Corrie reveals that the principled courage of youth, idealism we used to call it, has not been extinguished, as the propaganda tells us. Indeed, it flourishes and Rachel’s legacy is its beacon.’ – John Pilger, 2008. Tickets: $40. Tea and coffee and light snacks will be available after the performance. You are invited to stay after the show and have 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 with ticket numbers and contact details. STEP TWO – PAY FOR YOUR SEATS: Make a direct payment to our bank account: Kia Ora Gaza, 03-0211-0447718-000, Westpac Bank, Onehunga branch. In the “details” section put your name alongside the words “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 for the Rachel Corrie play.

September 29-30, Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre, Manukau City
JUST ACTION CONFERENCE: Just Action is for all those with a heart for The Salvation Army’s mission to fight suffering in all its forms, to speak out and act against injustice, and to be a force for justice, faith and mercy in the world. Here’s some information to bring you up-to-date on plans for next year’s Just Action Conference, ‘The Power to Change’, which is being held as part of Mission 2010, a combined congress of The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory. Full Conference details and registration information will be available next year. For more information, contact Major Ian Kilgour, The Salvation Army Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit. p: (09) 261 0883 or e: ian_kilgour@nzf.salvationarmy.org Plan to join us and explore how the Gospel can bring international, national, community and neighbourhood change. Plan to join us and explore how the Gospel can bring international, national, community and neighbourhood change. SPEAKERS: Jim Wallis is a best-selling author, public theologian, speaker, preacher and international commentator on religion and public life, faith and politics. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of Sojourners, where he is editor-in-chief of Sojourners magazine. Dave Andrews, Coordinator for training with the Community Initiatives Resource Association, and educator-atlarge for TEAR Australia. Dave, his wife Ange, and their family, have lived and worked in intentional communities with marginalised groups of people in Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal for more than 30 years.

Wednesday, October 27, 6.30pm, Maidment Theatre, University of Auckland
2010 Bruce Jesson Lecture Annette Sykes Ngäti Pikiao Lawyer and Activist. “The Politics of the Brown Table”. A self-annointed Iwi Leaders Group, a Maori Party that supports a National/ACT government, and a group of Crown mandated intermediaries drawn from retired politicians and bureaucrats, are today’s agents for the manufacturing of consent and the management of discontent amongst Maori. The commercial deals on Treelords, the Emissions Trading Scheme, geothermal resources, national parks, private prisons, mining, whanau ora are all harnessing Moari to a global capitalism that impoverishes the mass of working class Maori and making them dependent on its survival. Most whanau and hapu are excluded from decision-making and denied the rights over their resources just as they always have been. Bruce Jesson foresaw these trends back in the 1980s. This lecture challenges this agenda and identifies the basic principles for a politics that genuinely empowers the people. Professor Margaret Mutu, chairperson of Te Runanga-a-Iwi o Ngäti Kahu, will be the discussant on the lecture.

Thursday, November 4, 9am-5pm, Conference Room 1 – Copthorne Hotel Auckland City 196 – 200 Quay Street
Globalisation and Labour in the Pacific: Re-evaluating the 1890 Maritime Strike. Organised by the Auckland Labour History Group and the Labour History Project in association with the Australian Society for the Study of Labour History and NZWALMI. Papers will be presented on the 1890 strike, its broader political and historical impact, the nature of Pacific Rim connections in the labour market and between labour organisations, lessons for contemporary labour relations in the maritime industry in the Pacific, and the impact of globalisation generally in Pacific Rim labour relations. Attendance: All welcome. Fee: $40 includes lunch and refreshments. All registrations to Ann Williamson at nzwalmi@aut.ac.nz Information subject to change

Sunday, November 21, 9.30am – 4pm, AUT Wellesley Street Conference Centre
Refugee Stories Symposium: This Symposium will consist of a day of testimonies about various aspects of the refugee experience, presented by former refugees who are now resident in New Zealand. REGISTRATION: Early bird Registration (by 1 October 2010) $75.00. Standard registration (after 1 October) $90.00. How to register and further information at www.aut.ac.nz/cre The day will also include a keynote speaker and cultural items. For all enquiries contact AUT Centre for Refugee Education Ph administration 921 9367 | refugeecentre@aut.ac.nz

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“No man survives when freedom fails, The best men rot in filthy jails, And those who cry ‘appease, appease’ Are hanged by those they tried to please.”: Hiram Mann

“Today the tyrant rules not by club or fist, but, disguised as a market researcher, he shepherds his flocks in the ways of utility and comfort.” : Marshall McLuhan – (1911-1980)

“…free enterprise, [is] a term that refers, in practice, to a system of public subsidy and private profit, with massive government intervention in the economy to maintain a welfare state for the rich.” : Noam Chomsky

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

FOREIGN CONTROL WATCHDOG 124 – AUGUST 2010 http://www.converge.org.nz/watchdog/24/index24.htm

• Stop Thief! The Not So Secret Agenda To Steal NZ People’s Assets by Murray Horton
• “Goodfellas”: The OIO And The Nature Of Being A “Good Character” by Quentin Findlay
• Trans-Pacific Partnership: 21st Century Agreement Or 19th Century? by Bill Rosenberg
• New Website Launched To Promote Debate On Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiations by Jane Kelsey
• Will We Ever Learn? Lessons From The Global Financial Crisis by Bryan Gould
• Why We Need To Tax Financial Speculation by Vaughan Gunson
• Ten Reasons Why ASB Is A Bad Bank by Vaughan Gunson
• ECan Sacking A Coup For Corporate Irrigators by John Minto
• Corporate Agriculture/Free Trade Contradictions Bite Home by Dennis Small
• The Commodification Of Everything by Liz Gordon
• Reviews by Jeremy Agar
• “Bird On A Wire” by Theresa Gattung
• “An Introduction To Climate Change Economics And Policy” by Felix R Fitzroy & Elissaios Papyrakis
• “Good Cop Bad Cop” edited by Thomas P Lyon
• “Requiem For A Species” by Clive Hamilton
• “Storms Of My Grandchildren” by James Hansen
• “The Value Of Nothing” by Raj Patel
• Owen Wilkes’ SIS File: Spies Play Hard To Get by Murray Horton
• Obituaries by Murray Horton & Brian Easton
• Bruce Finnerty
• Bertha Alison
• Mr Valiant-For-The-Truth: Hugh Llewellyn Price 1929-2009
• CAFCA Has A Facebook Group
• We Won’t Be Getting Accounts Audited From Now On
• Murray Horton Speaking Tour 2011

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 www.iticket.co.nz or ph (09)361 1000 http://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2010/sep/my-name-is-rachel-corrie/ Combining an activist’s passion with an artist’s sensibility, Rachel was a prolific writer. My Name is Rachel Corrie is a one-woman play taken completely from her diaries and e-mails, edited by British actor and director Alan Rickman and Guardian journalist Katherine Viner. The premiere production opened in 2005 at London’s Royal Court Theatre and became the fastest-selling play in the theatre’s history. After transferring to the West End in 2006, the production won the Theatregoer’s Choice Awards for Best Director, Best New Play and Best Solo Performance. “Stunning. Theatre can’t change the world. But what it can do, when it’s as good as this, is to send us out enriched by other people’s passionate concern” – Michael Billington, The Guardian (Royal Court Theatre production 2005). For images, interviews or information contact Nocturne Theatre Producer Kate Prior on 021 80 70 81 or nocturnetheatre@gmail.com More information about Rachel Corrie can be found at www.rachelcorriefoundation.org

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 – Manurewa Marae, 81 Finlayson Ave, Manurewa.
INVERCARGILL, 23 September: disAbilities Resource Centre, 192 Spey 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 the government’s Welfare Working Group discussion paper is 17 September, details are at http://ips.ac.nz/WelfareWorkingGroup/Index.html

SEEKING SUPPORT FOR FREE GAZA/ISM VOLUNTEER
Dear Friends, In May 2010, nine aid workers were shot dead by Israeli commandos when a humanitarian flotilla destined for Gaza was intercepted in international waters by the Israeli Navy which is charged with enforcing the illegal and inhumane Siege of the Gaza Strip. Another flotilla, dubbed Freedom Flotilla Two, is to set sail in October 2010. Palestine Human Rights Campaign Aotearoa/New Zealand (PHRC) is raising money to enable a New Zealander to join the upcoming flotilla in the hope of breaking the Siege. If successful the volunteer will stay on in the Gaza Strip to work for International Solidarity Movement (ISM), http://www.palsolidarity.org. ISM supports the non-violent movement resisting Israel’s military occupation of Palestinian land, which includes documenting and publicising human rights violations. The Palestinian-led organisation came to international prominence in 2003 when ISM volunteers Rachel Corrie and Tom Hurndall were killed by Israeli forces. Human rights defenders, particularly ISM volunteers, are routinely denied entry to the Occupied Palestinian Territory by Israel and Egypt. Freedom Flotilla Two is being coordinated by the Free Gaza Movement, www.freegaza.org. Free Gaza was formed to challenge directly the Israeli-Egyptian blockade by sailing ships carrying humanitarian aid and human rights defenders to Gaza. Since August 2008, Free Gaza has made eight solo voyages; most recently, it took part in the fateful May 2010 flotilla as a member of a six-partner coalition. Free Gaza has several endorsers, including notable individuals such as Desmond Tutu and Noam Chomsky, and groups with which PHRC has had some association such as Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, www.pchrgaza.org , and the Palestine Medical Relief Society, www.pmrs.ps. Our fundraising target is $5000 ($3000 for the airfare, $2000 for living expenses including the estimate of support in the Gaza Strip, with Free Gaza raising the money to purchase the boats and cargo, and cover the cost of sailing). If, for any reason, PHRC is unable to send a New Zealander to Gaza, the money will be returned in full. Janfrie Wakim on behalf of PHRC. P.S: Please make donations by direct credit PHRC 06 0145 0045138 00 or by sending a cheque to PHRC, Box 56150, Mt Eden, Auckland. All donations will be receipted. Advice on internet deposits must be emailed to jwakim@xtra.co.nz so that receipts can be provided.

INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN OF SUPPORT FOR MAPUCHE POLITICAL PRISONERS ON HUNGER STRIKE IN CHILE
Kia ora koutou, I’m not sure if you will have heard of the critical situation of the Mapuche political prisoners in Chile. 32 of them have now been on a hunger strike since July 12, so as you can imagine their situation is getting desperate. All are in prison under terrorism laws for acts taken in defense of their indigenous lands. The Chilean media has kept a strict silence on the hunger strike so solidarity organisations are trying to raise international awareness and pressure in support of their cause. The demands of the hunger strike are for the righ to fair trails, freedom of all Mapuche political prisoners and the repeal of the Anti-Terrorist law. Please help by adding your name and comments to a letter of support on the following website. This morning I counted only 5 names from Aotearoa – let’s make it 500! Read the letter of support here: International campaign of support for Mapuche political prisoners on hunger strike in Chile http://mapuche.info/?kat=8&sida=788 Sign the letter and add your message here: http://mapuche.info/?lp_1=2 3 minute video about Mapuche land struggle – report from 2007 in Al Jazeera, explains the historical background of the Mapuche struggle in the south of Chile http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxYUCkVTY64 International website about the Mapuche nation http://www.mapuche-nation.org Please spread this through your networks. Thank you!

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 of the earth by their actions. These are being shown as information evenings leading up to the Global Work Day being organised by 350.org on 10/10/10.
Monday 13th September: Garbage Warriors: Charismatic eco-activist/architect Michael Reynolds has been building entirely sustainable and strangely beautiful communities out of beer cans, mud and old tyres in New Mexico for the past 30 years.
Monday 20th September: Convenient Truth: Urban Solutions from Curitiba, Brazil. This inspirational documentary focuses on innovations in transportation, recycling and social benefits that transformed Curitiba into one of the most livable cities in the world.
Monday 27th September: Earth Whisperers – Papatuanuku. 10 quirky and inspiring New Zealanders who love nature and protect their environment.
Monday 4th October: The Women Who Launched A Rainbow: The story of 5 New Zealand women activists who helped outfit and sail the Rainbow Warrior on its major Pacific anti-nuclear voyages. Kit and Maynie: Tea, Scones and Nuclear Disarmament: Not only did they make a stand for what they believed in, Kit and Maynie walked the distance of true commitment to creating 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 New Zealand’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. The colourful sketch is signed by the artist and has been laminated. This signed original is available for purchase via auction from now until 8pm on Sunday 5 September. The international mission to Gaza, the largest aid convoy since the Second World War, will attract world attention. Our Kiwi Team will be part of this historic event. Featuring the iconic Kiwi, KLARC’s artwork puts the ordinary Kiwi in the driver’s seat of this mission. The Kiwi, elbow out the window, determined look on face, associates our volunteers with ordinary Kiwis doing extraordinary things to make a better world. The successful bidder for KLARC’s artwork will gain a lasting reminder of this historic convoy sketched by a renowned artist in his field. This is predicted to be an artwork that will resonate with historic and cultural significance over the years ahead. And the purchaser will be contributing towards the $100,000 Appeal to fund our Kiwi Team and the aid and vehicles they are taking to Gaza. So here art and morality go hand-in-hand. HOW TO BID: To bid, you simply email your offer for KLARC’s signed original to: grantmorgan@paradise.net.nz The highest bid 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 to protect their privacy. The auction has already been kicked off with an opening bid of $250 (code of bidder: R). A reserve has been set. That means even the highest bid may lose if it’s still too low. The auction will end at precisely 8pm on Sunday 5 September. LET THE BIDDING BEGIN. Email your bid right now to grantmorgan@paradise.net.nz

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Lawyer: Minto arrested due to politics http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/lawyer-minto-arrested-due-politics-3753766

Has the great age of protest passed? http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/features/4068990/Has-the-great-age-of-protest-passed

Tapu Misa: Focus on victims could lead to injustice http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10669749

Police Trespass Cannabis Protestors – Police in Dargaville unlawfully trespassed a cannabis law reform group when it tried holding a political meeting in a building which they already had been granted permission to use. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1009/S00056/police-trespass-cannabis-protestors.htm

Government Out of Step With Early Childhood Sector http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1009/S00005/government-out-of-step-with-early-childhood-sector.htm

Parole reduces reoffending – Rethinking Crime and Punishment – Recent report comments from Garth McVicar, that making offenders serve their entire sentence was more effective than preventing reoffending, are not supported by the evidence, says Kim Workman, Director of Rethinking Crime and Punishment. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1009/S00003/parole-reduces-reoffending.htm

NZ ECONOMY

Slowing recovery with cautious households and construction slump http://www.nzier.org.nz/includes/download.aspx?ID=111486

Inequality in NZ: [4] The resurgence of issues of economic inequality http://tinyurl.com/2bolfa3

Inequality in NZ: [5] David Bromell on the economy of ideas http://liberation.typepad.com/liberation/2010/08/inequality-in-nz-5-david-bromell-on-the-economy-of-ideas.html

Government failing young Kiwis: The New Zealand youth union movement, Stand Up, is calling on the Government to reinstate funding for the recently axed youth unemployment initiative, Community Max, to assist young New Zealanders who are currently out of work and education. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1008/S00995/government-failing-young-kiwis.htm

Brian Fallow: Income splitting hardest on poor http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10670428

Donna Wynd & Susan St John: Bill offers more to already well off http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10669973

NZ dollar moves up 1 into world’s Top 10 most traded currencies http://www.interest.co.nz/news/nz-dollar-moves-1-worlds-top-10-most-traded-currencies-volumes-down-31-2007

Realestate.co.nz report shows lifeless housing market in August; high inventory levels in ‘buyers market’ http://www.interest.co.nz/news/realestateconz-report-shows-lifeless-housing-market-august-high-inventory-levels-buyers-market

Exploring farm debt http://www.interest.co.nz/rural-news/exploring-farm-debt

SCF COLLAPSE

John Minto: Taxpayers set up to take the hit http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/blogs/frontline/4087476/Taxpayers-set-up-to-take-the-hit

Deep freeze list – Finance industry failures http://www.interest.co.nz/saving/deep-freeze-list

SCF: A giant brought to its knees http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/personal-finance/4081472/SCF-A-giant-brought-to-its-knees

South Canterbury bailout bill: $405 each http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10670276

Brian Gaynor: Sth Canterbury an inevitable train wreck http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10670907

Govt whipping boy over $1.6b payout By John Armstrong http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10671009

NZ’s biggest welfare beneficiary revealed in shock horror Herald exclusive expose’ http://thestandard.org.nz/nzs-biggest-welfare-beneficiary-revealed-in-shock-horror-herald-exclusive-expose/

Rich lister’s fund gets paid first http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10670247

‘Bad bank’ sent another 20 firms to wall http://www.nzherald.co.nz/property/news/article.cfm?c_id=8&objectid=10670482&ref=rss

Fran O’Sullivan: Alarm bells were deafening on SCF woes http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10670240

Bad property deals crushed rural lender http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10670235

Opinion: Dear Allan Hubbard: Please say sorry and thanks to the taxpayers of NZ and the investors in SCF http://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/opinion-dear-allan-hubbard-please-say-sorry-and-thanks-taxpayers-nz-and-investors-scf

NZ WORK RIGHTS

Burger Fuel to cease using 90 Day Fire at Will law http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/unite-union-burger-fuel-cease-using-current-90-day-fire-will-law/5/61518

Sacked hotel workers to get one week’s pay http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/hotel-workers-get-one-week-s-pay-3755210 Video: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/hotel-workers-get-one-week-s-pay-3755210/video

Video: Workers of the luxury Westin hotel gathered to protest the loss of 100 cleaning jobs http://www.stuff.co.nz/lightbox/business/4089009/?KeepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=560&width=640

Fight for Every Job! Westin Hotel Workers Picket  http://business.scoop.co.nz/2010/09/02/fight-for-every-job-westin-hotel-workers-picket/

Westin workers to fight for their jobs http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10670599

Form Submission Employment Relations Amendment Bill No. 2. The CTU will be sending out a detailed draft submission to unions. However, we also want to maximise the number of submissions from individuals. We therefore ask you to send this link on to as many people as possible and put it up on websites. http://fairness.org.nz/onlinesubmissioner Submission just on the medical leave elements of the Holiday Act amendment bill that is now available at http://www.nzei.org.nz/Holidays+Amendment+Bill+Submissions.html

Law firm warns employers over 90-day probation http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10669915

Kapiti Bus Drivers Strike http://kapitiindependentnews.net.nz/home/bus-drivers-strike/

Come on Mr Key – bail these workers out too http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1009/S00065/come-on-mr-key-bail-these-workers-out-too.htm

Being collective, being union pays http://teu.ac.nz/2010/09/being-collective-being-union-pays/

ANZ National forcing call centre staff to work 10 days straight – “We never see our families” http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1009/S00071/anz-staff-to-work-10-days-straight.htm

Naming and shaming bad employers:  Unite Union is accusing one of the country’s largest Telco’s – Vodafone – of being a bad employer after the highly profitable company refused a pay increase to most of its lowest-paid, most vulnerable employees for the second year running. http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1009/S00002.htm

Vodafone denies being bad employer http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/vodafone-slammed-bad-employer-3752096

Union slams Vodafone pay freeze http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/telecoms-it-media/4085835/Union-slams-Vodafone-pay-freeze

Strike action painful, say radiographers http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10670493

REPLYING TO THE PANORAMA PROGRAMME ON TV1 “DEATH IN THE MED

“Response to Death In The Med by Palestine Human Rights Campaign http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1008/S00507/response-to-death-in-the-med.htm

The best way you can counter Israel’s propaganda machine http://kiaoragaza.wordpress.com/

Corbin on the Mavi Marmara: a BBC-hasbara production http://johnhilley.blogspot.com/2010/08/corbin-on-mavi-marmara-bbc-hasbara.html

“Death in the Med” for BBC Journalism? Panorama investigates the Mavi Marmara incident http://academicanonymous.wordpress.com/2010/08/21/%E2%80%9Cdeath-in-the-med%E2%80%9D-for-bbc-journalism-panorama-investigates-the-mavi-marmara-incident/

Open Letter to the Panorama BBC Team: Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire http://www.intifada-palestine.com/2010/08/open-letter-to-the-panorama-bbc-team-nobel-peace-laureate-mairead-maguire/

A Beautiful Gift from the BBC – By Ken O’Keefe: I am one of the passengers/witnesses interviewed for this program and I am very much aware of BBC’s role in justifying war and covering up Israeli crimes. I am in no way naive about this; to the contrary my motivation for the interview lay largely in the all too likely opportunity to expose the BBC. http://www.middleeastmonitor.org.uk/resources/commentary-and-analysis/1432-a-beautiful-gift-from-the-bbc

The ‘real agenda’ of the BBC’s Jane Corbin, who calls herself a ‘Journalist’ http://pulsemedia.org/2010/08/26/the-real-agenda-of-the-bbcs-jane-corbin-who-calls-herself-a-journalist/

New book: Midnight on the Mavi Marmara http://www.mikemarqusee.com/?p=1032

International solidarity under attack Mike Marqusee, The Electronic Intifada http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11444.shtml

IHH Report on the Killings on board the Mavi Marmara http://www.freegaza.org/en/testimonies-from-israeli-jail/1234-mavi-marmara-report-from-ihh

FEATURES

Video: Prof. Michael Lebowitz: The Socialist Alternative – Due to increasing competition for scarce natural resources, a barbarism haunts the planet. In the drive for expansion and profits, the endgame of the capitalist system promises imperialism, domination of impoverished peoples and an ecological nightmare. The capitalist path is a death trap, but there is a just, people-based alternative: Socialism. In this wide-ranging interview, Prof. Michael Lebowitz discusses his latest book, The Socialist Alternative, Real Human Development. http://vimeo.com/14411920

John Pilger: Why Wikileaks must be protected http://www.johnpilger.com/page.asp?partid=584

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

Overdose: This is the story of the greatest financial crisis we will ever see… The one that is on the way. ABC Australia Documentary – Original Broadcast: 23rd August, 2010. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article26264.htm

Housing’s new nightmare: In another ominous sign for the economy, the number of people falling behind on their mortgages for the first time is on the rise. http://money.cnn.com/2010/08/27/news/economy/housing_economy_delinquencies/index.htm

Epic Recession: prelude to a worldwide depression http://www.zcommunications.org/epic-recession-by-suzi-weissman

Home truths for complacent economists – Tax credits disguised the fundamental weakness of the US housing market. The reality reveals bleak prospects for growth http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/aug/31/subprimecrisis-usa-house-prices

Have-much-mores and have-lesses  by David Ruccio – The growth of income inequality in the United States from the 1970s until the onset of the current crises is beyond doubt. http://rwer.wordpress.com/2010/09/02/have-much-mores-and-have-lesses/

Banks’ Self-Dealing Super-Charged Financial Crisis http://www.propublica.org/article/banks-self-dealing-super-charged-financial-crisis

CULTURAL DISSENT

Review: Pachamama and Progress: Visions for Latin America’s Future By BENJAMIN DANGL http://www.counterpunch.org/dangl08272010.html

Behind The Israeli Wall: A Lesson In Reality By Ramzy Baroud http://www.countercurrents.org/baroud030910.htm

FOOD, FARMING AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The Peanut Solution Could a Peanut Paste Called Plumpy’nut End Malnutrition? – NYTimes.com http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/magazine/05Plumpy-t.html

AFGHANISTAN

Andrew Wilkie: Afghan military intervention justified by a ‘great lie’ http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45189

The Secret Killers: Covert Assassins Charged With Hunting Down and Killing Afghans http://tinyurl.com/2bbx5z7

AUSTRALIA

Australia’s own Ponzi scheme: the property market http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/01/06/australias-own-ponzi-scheme-the-property-market/

High mortgage debt a danger in a downturn: house prices http://tinyurl.com/2446pdw

BRAZIL

Immanuel Wallerstein commentary – “Ancient Dilemma of the Left: The Case of Brazil”: http://fbc.binghamton.edu/277en.htm

CAMBODIA

Tribunal Puts Pol Pot-Era Prison Director Away for 35 Years But Ignores U.S. Involvement; U.S. Embassy Celebrates Relationship http://tinyurl.com/26p7mz6

CANADA

G20 PROTESTS: WHAT WAS GAINED AND WHAT WAS LOST by John Riddell and Art Young http://www.socialistvoice.ca/?p=1315

AFTER A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL YEAR, QUÉBEC SOLIDAIRE STARTS DEBATE ON PROGRAM A LeftViews Article by Roger Rashi http://www.socialistvoice.ca/?p=1308

CHINA

China Fortifies State Businesses to Fuel Growth http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/30/world/asia/30china.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&th&emc=th

GERMANY

The fallacy of taking German lessons – Germany is held up by deficit hawks as an ideal for other, less successful economies such as Spain’s to emulate. Big mistake http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/aug/27/useconomy-useconomicgrowth/print

HAITI

Haiti Liberté editorial on political situation, upcoming election http://www.canadahaitiaction.ca/content/haiti-libert%C3%A9-editorial-political-situation-upcoming-election

KOREA

South Korea: The story of ROKS Cheonan — repression, lies and half truths http://links.org.au/node/1871

PAKISTAN

Floods For Pakistan; Floods Of Money For its Leader By Tariq Ali http://www.countercurrents.org/ali290810.htm

Pakistan: Multi Party Conference against debt repayments TARIQ Farooq http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article18384

PALESTINE

Video: SHOULD PEOPLE BOYCOTT ISRAEL? Omar Barghouti explains the aims of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=69338&s2=31

“Solidarity tastes different inside prison” Ameer Makhoul writing from Gilboa prison, Live from Palestine http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11496.shtml

McCarthyism and Fascism in Israel by Michael Warschawski, Alternative Information Center (AIC): When a state awards itself the right to demand from its citizens an expression of loyalty to the state and when it conditions their citizenship on this same loyalty, it no longer possesses any connection to democracy. In a democracy, the state is loyal to its citizens and obligated to protect them unconditionally. Loyalty to the state and a demand from its citizens to serve it are characteristics of fascist regimes. http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/blogs/michael-warschawski/2832-mccarthyism-and-fascism-in-israel-

Yes to BDS against Israel: Answer to Uri Avnery by Michael Warschawski (AIC): The call for BDS—Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions—has finally reached Israeli public opinion. http://tinyurl.com/2ab5h63

Church boycott calls ring louder Sarah Irving, The Electronic Intifada, http://tinyurl.com/2f68prj

Apartheid Israel and the contradictions of left Zionism http://www.isreview.org/issues/72/feat-tikvaint.shtml

PFLP Solidarity Campaign interviews Leila Khaled, Palestine’s leading revolutionary woman http://wpnz-pflp-solidarity.blogspot.com/2010/08/pflp-solidarity-campaign-interviews.html

Boycott of Theater in Israeli Settlement Grows http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=41947

Enthusiasm for Palestinian prime minister isn’t shared by Palestinians – Salam Fayyad’s embrace by the U.S. and Israel doesn’t change the fact that millions of Palestinians languish under occupation and in poverty. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-oew-abunimah-palestine-20100831,0,3774703.story

UK Independent – UN official criticises Israel over flotilla probe http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/un-official-criticises-israel-over-flotilla-probe-2060509.html

What’s the difference between President Ahmadinejad and Rabbi Yosef? http://tinyurl.com/34l9o7z

Israeli Shin Bet electrocuted child prisoners to extract confessions http://tinyurl.com/382mwsn

Even the dead pose a “demographic threat” in Occupied Jerusalem http://www.blogfrommiddleeast.com/?xstart=b&new=69352

PERU

Amazon indigenous create new political party http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45211

PHILIPPINES

The Migrant Condition by Walden Bello http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article18383

SOMALIA

SOUTH AFRICA

Public sector industrial struggle growing, miners to strike in solidarity. Labour Start has collection of articles on the strikes. http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/show_news.pl?country=South%20Africa

SRI LANKA

Torturing In Sri Lanka? By Chandi Sinnathurai – Three Sri Lankans from the Sinhala community have sought asylum in Australia but having their application rejected they were promptly returned to their country of origin. On return, as per this report, these three individuals were abused and underwent torture in Sri Lanka http://www.countercurrents.org/sinnathurai030910.htm

SWAZILAND

Small country, big struggle http://www.mikemarqusee.com/?p=1065

UK

Beware warlords bearing gifts – The donation to help veterans was designed to get good publicity for Tony Blair, Inc. http://socialistworker.org/2010/08/25/beware-warlords-bearing-gifts

Ken Livingstone’s campaign team has produced a useful and interesting document ‘A Mayor for Equality’ which sets out the actively discriminatory nature of the public spending cuts. http://www.kenlivingstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Women1.pdf

Flying the Flag, Faking the News By John Pilger – Loud noises from Washington about a US pull-out from Iraq are a poor disguise for America’s determination to keep waging war. And the same sort of spin is at work here in Britain

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article26286.htm

Economy suffers slowdown as double dip looms – Analysts gloomy after fall in construction orders and decline in business confidence http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/economy-suffers-slowdown-as-double-dip-looms-2070141.html

USA

Evil Muslim swimming plot exposed By Mark Steel http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45209

New Job Means Lower Wages for Many http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/01/us/01jobs.html

Picture of the US/Mexico wall at http://www.slate.com/id/2265993/

Jobless Rate Worsens to 9.6% in August http://blog.aflcio.org/2010/09/03/jobless-rate-worsens-to-9-6-in-august-congress-needs-to-act/

The Audacity of Cynicism By Elise Hendrick – Barack Obama’s Iraq speech – is an impressive entry in the annals of war propaganda. In it, he glosses over a criminal war as ‘a remarkable chapter’ in US history, and creates the false impression that the occupation of Iraq is over. He places the responsibility rebuilding a society out of the rubble we created on the shoulders of the Iraqi people. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article26290.htm

Inside Top Secret America – A major investigation reveals the extent of America’s vast and heavily privatized military-corporate-intelligence establishment. http://www.alternet.org/story/148007/inside_top_secret_america

Are We a Kleptocracy and What Does That Mean Anyway? Two articles consider what the real economic patterns we face are, and whether the big process we’re undergoing is basically just a massive transfer of wealth. http://tinyurl.com/36bxbg7

VENEZUELA

Planned destabilisation or social chaos? Venezuela murder mystery http://mondediplo.com/2010/08/07venezuela

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

DECEMBER 13-21, 2010. 17TH WORLD FESTIVAL OF YOUTH AND STUDENTS, IN SOUTH AFRICA. AN INVITATION FOR YOUTH AND STUDENTS IN NEW ZEALAND AND THE PACIFIC

Join thousands of youth and students from around the world discussing and debating the future of humanity under the banner, “Let’s defeat imperialism, for a world of peace, solidarity and social transformation.” The festivals began in 1947 as young people reacted to the brutalities of world war and have continued through the decades since, addressing the political challenges for youth and students. A week of activities will include conferences, seminars, workshops, sporting and cultural events. Each day is dedicated 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 call describing the political focus for this year’s festival can be found at the festival website, along with a programme of activities. http://www.wfdy.org/17wfys/ Your organisation may be interested in sending a representative to the festival or would 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 will need to cover their own travel costs and pay a one off registration fee for the festival which will cover accommodation, transport and food while in South Africa. For more information contact Annalucia Vermunt, Tel: 09-525-7407. Communist League & Young Socialists E-mail: ysnz@xtra.co.nz or P.O. Box 3025, Auckland, New Zealand.WELCOME TO THE MEDIA, INVESTIGATIVE

JOURNALISM & TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE 2010

Practitioners, journalists, academics, researchers and students who work in the creative 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 University in Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand, on December 4 & 5, 2010. This international conference is dedicated to exploring investigative journalism and documentary techniques, methodologies and technologies of critical value to public interest issues and to identify and support journalists, photographers and film makers facing pressures and obstacles.

CAMP FOR CLIMATE ACTION AOTEAROA NATIONAL GATHERING – WELLPARK COLLEGE 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 formulated direction for CCAA, and YOU are invited. Get together with your local climate camp group now as we are creating a bunch of proposals for Climate Camp which will be brought to the gathering and collectively addressed. Dont be shy! All are welcome to attend!HAMMER THE POKIES

GPJA is still on the quest for 200 people willing to take part in a civil disobedience exercise whereby they register their hammers for a “hammer the pokies” protest. We have around 40 people registered so far but to be successful we need a lot more. There are over 20,000 pokie machines in local communities (non-casino pokies) which are sucking the lifeblood from low-income areas (over half the machines are in the poorest third of communities). Families coping with pokie addicts in the recession just adds to the misery of whole communities left behind by growing inequality. We’d like GPJA members 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 John at 8463173.JUSTICE AND LIBERATION: THE ROAD TO PEACE –

FILIPINO PROGRESSIVE LEADERS TO TOUR NZ OCTOBER/NOVEMBER

Luis Jalandoni is the International Representative of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF), a post that he has held since 1977, and since 1994 he has been the Chairperson of the NDF’s Negotiating Panel for peace talks with the Government of the Philippines. We are appealing for funds. PSNA will underwrite the tour, but we definitely need financial help because we are hosting two people. The amount needed is $10,000. The two international fares from Europe is the biggest cost, at $6,000. We will keep their domestic travel and accommodation costs as cheap as possible.

Luis Jalandoni and Coni Ledesma’s tour presents a unique opportunity to hear firsthand about a four decades long war, and accompanying peace process, in our own backyard that is almost totally unknown to New Zealanders. Please help 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 will supply our bank account details upon request.

ITINERARY

Tuesday October 26 – Christchurch: Public Meeting – 7.30 p.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@xtra.co.nz

Thursday October 28 & Friday 29 – Wellington: Public Meeting – 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, 42 Queen 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: Bob Anderson, (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 the March 2010 trial and acquittal of the three Ploughshares peace activists who penetrated its high security in 2008 and deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity, from start to finish. The public face of New Zealand’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealand’s most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control. Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires. How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head. This will be the first Waihopai spybase protest since the Domebusters’ acquittal on all charges arising from their courageous citizens’ deflation action. Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in America’s wars. CLOSE THE WAIHOPAI SPYBASE NOW! Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch. E-mail cafca@chch.planet.org.nz www.converge.org.nz/abc Make all cheques to ABC..

KIA ORA GAZA – KIWI AID TO GAZA

Gaza’s 1.5 million people are imprisoned by the state of Israel in a giant concentration camp. The Israeli military enforces a blockade of essential supplies. There is terrible suffering, especially among the children. The citizens of Gaza face collective punishment, which is illegal under international law. On 31 May 2010, a Gaza aid flotilla was hijacked on the open sea 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 off from London by sea and land. We want to see Kiwi volunteers and aid go with them. Kia Ora Gaza is raising funds to make this possible. Please give your support. Write a cheque for ‘Kia Ora Gaza’ and post to:• Kia Ora Gaza, PO Box 59-007, Auckland. Or make a payment directly into our bank account:• Kia Ora Gaza, 03-0211-0447718-000, Westpac Bank, Onehunga branch. Encourage your family and friends to make a personal donation. Appeal to • organisations you are involved with to make an institutional donation. All funds raised by Kia Ora Gaza will be audited by a professional who is independent of our bank trustees. Email: grantmorgan@paradise.net.nz Website: http://kiaoragaza.net/

BE MORE THAN JUST A TOURIST! JOIN THE SOUTHERN CROSS BRIGADE TO CUBA: DEC 27, 2010 TO JAN 20, 2011

Join the 28th Southern Cross Brigade and support Cuba in the most direct manner by working alongside Cubans, visiting unions, schools, hospitals, cultural sites, performances & urban agriculture projects, learning the salsa, meeting Cubans, fraternising with other international guests and having free time in Havana. You will experience at first hand the cultural, political and social conditions in socialist Cuba. This year’s program will give participants an opportunity to join in the celebration of ICAPs (Cuba Institute for Friendship With The Peoples Of The World) 50th anniversary & the ongoing success of the Cuban Revolution. Find out more at www.cubasolidarity.org.nz register at http://cubabrigade.org.au or contact Paul at wkcultur@ihug.co.nz (03 7324010) or Ina at inashina@clearnet.net.nz (09 3031755). Cost: $1100 (after July 31st, $1200) – excluding airfare, taxes and health insurance.

THE ROGER AWARD – NOMINATIONS OPEN

Nominations for the 2010 Roger Award are now open. The nomination form with details of the criteria and how to make a nomination is available in in Word (54 KB) or PDF format (164KB). Nominations close on 31 October 2010. Send your nominations to: The Roger Award, Box 2258, Christchurch, or CAFCA cafca@chch.planet.org.nz Full details of the Roger Award, including all the past winners and the Judges’ Reports on them can be read at http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/index.html The judges for 2010 are: Paul Corliss, from Christchurch, an organiser with the Tertiary Education Union and a life member of the Rail and Maritime Transport Union; Christine Dann, from Banks Peninsula, a writer and researcher; Sue Bradford, from Auckland, a community activist and former Green MP; Joce Jesson, a Senior Lecturer in Critical Studies in Education, University of 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 at an 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 a once-in-a-lifetime experience – the opportunity to see first-hand an unfolding revolution that is not only radically transforming the lives of Venezuelans, but challenging the greed, exploitation and destructiveness of global capitalism by showing that a better world is possible. A special feature of the September 2010 brigade will be observing Venezuela’s vigorous democracy in action. The brigade will coincide with Venezuela’s next National Assembly elections, on September 26th, enabling brigadistas to observe the last week of campaigning – including the traditionally huge election rallies held on the weekend before – and polling day itself. As well as observing the national elections, brigade participants will experience Venezuela’s participatory democracy at work, with visits to communal councils and communes. They will also visit worker-run factories and cooperatives; free, high-quality public health and education services; Indigenous-run sustainable development programs; and community controlled media stations. During the 10 days, brigadistas will have the opportunity to speak to a wide range of grassroots organisations, community activists, trade unions and government representatives about the radical changes being implemented by the Venezuelan people. The 2010 national elections brigade is the 11th solidarity tour to Venezuela organised by the AVSN. Reports and photos from previous AVSN brigades are posted at http://www.venezuelasolidarity.org . We are also happy to put you in touch with people who have participated in AVSN brigades, if you would like to find out more.

Brigade registration and costs

The deadline for registering for the 2010 National Elections brigade is July 1, 2010. To express interest in participating and obtain a registration form, please contact brigades@venezuelasolidarity.org Participants will need to book their own international airfares, but the AVSN can help with advice. Accommodation, transport and English-Spanish translation within Venezuela will be organised for all brigade participants. You will need to 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 in Venezuela; and the brigade registration fee ($500 for workers, $300 for students or pensioners). For more information, email brigades@venezuelasolidarity.org or phone Lisa Macdonald +61 413 031 108, Jim McIlroy +61 423 741 734 or Roberto Jorquera +61 425 182 994.