GPJA #371: Syria Solidarity protest Sat 2pm Aotea Square

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 371, April 7 2010

WHAT’S ON

Thursday, April 7, 7pm, 8a Mt Eden Road, Cityside Church, Auckland CBD
PUBLIC TALK: Demand the impossible! Free talk on The importance of the radical imagination (Koha is welcome!). Hear Ron Sakolsky and Sheila Nopper talk about the importance of the radical imagination, the struggle against capitalism and a lot more! Ron Sakolsky: anarchist, unionist, anti coal activist, pirate radio broadcaster, author and Emeritus Professor of Social Policy at University of Illinois. Ron founded his faculty union and was arrested, beaten up and thrown in jail for his activism around the busting of his union and the corporate restricting of his university. For more info see: simon.oosterman Spread the word:You can download an A3 poster to advertise the event here: http://aucklandanarchists.net/sites/default/files/DemandTheImpossible.pdf

Facebook group RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=161873487201568

Thursday, April 7, 7.30pm, Peace Place 22 F Emily Place Central City (Close to Britomart)
Your chance to hear a leading figure in the Women’s Rights Movement in Indonesia: Beauty Erawati ,MLLB, Human Rights Lawyer and Gender Justice Specialist, Director of APIK NTB Women’s legal aid, rights and development. (Beauty is also actively involved as a member and consultant for several national gender rights networks). Tea and coffee available. APIK NTB , based in Mataram has over eight years experience working with Oxfam New Zealand. It has grown to become the pre-eminent women’s rights NGO in NTB Province and the leading organisation providing support for all other Gender Justice NGOs in Indonesia. APIK is based on the involvement and empowerment of women, with community networks of women groups throughout the Province (representing over 7500 women) comprised of poor women, victims of migrant worker abuse, trafficking and discriminatory religious practices. A particular concern of APIK NTB in recent years has been the growth of religious fundamentalism and its influence on women’s rights and economic marginalisation. Beauty’s illustrated address will update us on the recent disturbing events that signal increasing religious intolerance and persecution in Indonesia. Religious fundamentalism poses serious problems for women, and members of minority religious groupings including Christians and members of the Ahmadiyah faith. Hosted by Indonesia Human Rights Committee and Pax Christi. All Welcome.

With thanks to Oxfam who are hosting Beauty’s visit to New Zealand. Contact: maire

Friday, April 8, 7pm, Upstairs @ Thistle Hall (cnr Cuba and Arthur Streets), Wellington
After the quake: community responses in Christchurch – Entry by koha – Following the devastating earthquake in Christchurch on February 22nd, a number of organisations sprung into action to help organise and coordinate support within the community. In many parts of Christchurch, aid and communication from Government and large NGOs was virtually non-existent for some time after the quake, and it was left up to pre-existing organisations, neighbours, families and friendship networks to ensure that people were able to access the resources and information they needed. 3 speakers will be talking about some of the work that went on in the period immediately after the earthquake, and on some of the challenges facing Christchurch residents over the coming months. Allister Dietschin from Beyond Resistance will talk about the work that his group was involved with in the Linwood and Avonside suburbs, providing food, water and gas to hard-hit communities. He will also talk about likely challenges that working class communities will face during the rebuilding phase. Matt Jones from Unite Union will discuss the situation for workers in Christchurch. After the earthquake in September, Unite organised protests to pressure employers who were refusing to pay workers. Now, many thousands of people are out of work in Christchurch (some temporarily, others permanently) and Matt will talk about the issues they face. Ros Houghton from Women’s Refuge will explain some of the challenges faced by Women’s Refuge in Christchurch after the earthquake, in which much of their local resources were destroyed. She will talk about the work that Refuge is doing to support women and children who have affected by sharp increase in domestic violence since the earthquake. There will be a raffle with prizes and cake for sale so please bring money to donate. All funds raised will be split 50/50 between the Christchurch Women’s Refuge Earthquake Appeal and Beyond Resistance, whose callouts for funds were the driving force behind the organising of this meeting. The venue is BYO so feel free to bring a drink for yourself, but please respect the speakers.

Saturday, April 9, 2pm, Aotea Square, Auckland City
SYRIA SOLIDARITY PROTEST: Dear all, Protests have spread throughout the Arab World causing a new chapter to be put down in history; however, every people movement has its own story. None of these are the same, contrary to the belief of many. Each has its own unique economic, political and social factors involved. The Syrian people were inspired to rise up after the atrocious torture of a group of 10-15 year old students by Government forces. These kids were tortured by means of tearing off their finger nails, amongst other atrocious actions for the crime of writing phrases calling for freedom on their school walls, expressing their frustration just like any normal children. The Syrian people have been peacefully protesting since the 15th of March demanding their most basic rights of Freedom, Democracy, Equality and Justice, …etc. Catastrophically, the regime has suppressed the protesters by opening fire on them and thus killing and injuring hundreds if not thousands over the last two weeks. Beside this being totally inhumane it’s actually a complete breach of international law. While the protesters are determined to keep their demonstrations peaceful, the regime continues suppressing them via the use of extreme violence in the absence of media. This Saturday we will be gathering at Aotea Square to show our support and solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of Syrian people fighting for their basic rights. Join us on Saturday to show your support for this worthy cause and spread the word to your club members. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=211556562190762

Sunday, April 10, 5pm, 1st floor, 7 The Strand, Takapuna.
PUBLIC LECTURE – New Zealand’s Ancient Peace Tradition – The Moriori people of Rekohu (Chatham Islands) were pacifists long before Gandhi. For hundreds of years they practised non-violence but in 1835 Taranaki iwi invaded the islands and the Moriori faced genocide and enslavement. Today there is a Moriori renaissance. Moriori leader Maui Solomon will deliver this year’s Capt Jack Lyon Memorial lecture. He will talk about the ancient Moriori peace tradition, how it influenced both Te Whiti and Gandhi, and its relevance in the 21st century as the Moriori rebuild their place in the world. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets $20 from Frances Bell, frabil 09-445 6178. Each year around Anzac Day the North Shore Labour Electorate Committee hosts the Capt Jack Lyon Memorial Lecture in memory of Jack Lyon who was the MP for Waitemata part of which later became the North Shore electorate. Jack Lyon served in the first Labour Government and volunteered to fight in World War Two. He died fighting in Crete. The annual lecture is a forum to discuss issues of war and peace, and national identity.

APRIL 12: GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION ON MILITARY SPENDING, AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND
Last year global military expenditure was more than $1,531 billion (US), on average more than $4 billion a day. By way of contrast, an average of more than 24,000 children under the age of five die every day from mainly preventable causes – lack of access to adequate food, clean water and basic medicines. That is one of the prices paid, the collateral damage that is seldom talked about, for maintaining armed forces in a state of combat readiness around the world. This message is to invite you to take part in the new Global Day of Action on Military Spending, 12 April – there are two sections below: 1) Getting involved in the Global Day of Action, and 2) Background information. http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/gdams11.htm

Thursday, April 14, 7.15pm, WT1004 (AUT Tower Building, 2 Rutland St, 10th floor seminar room, next door to Pacific Media Centre office)
Breaking the culture of silence: Andre Vltcheck, writer, journalist and film maker, will about his work in Indonesia and East Africa. He is the maker of the award-winning 2004 documentary Terlena: Breaking of a Nation, a documentary about the effects of the 1965 US-backed coup in Indonesia on the county’s intellectual community. The coup and the ensuing anti-communist purges led to the deaths of up to a million Indonesians and marked the start of the 30-year Suharto dictatorship. Vltchek’s work has focused on disaster and violent conflict from a historical perspective, primarily in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. His most recent docos have been Tumaini (30min, produced by UNESCO for Kenyan national TV about AIDS in Kisumu part of Kenya where there are almost no adult people left – grandmothers are left taking care of infants, for example) and his 8min surreal black humor Chile Between Two Earthquakes connecting Chile after an earthquake and tsunami with the right-wing government. Map: www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/contact Vltcheck’s world

Thursday, April 14, 6pm, Clubspace, Auckland University Quad
Socialist Aotearoa presents a forum on the ongoing uprising in Bahrain featuring a talk by Bahraini student Zahera Alanfooz. As the regional uprising in the Middle East continues to push despotic regimes to the edge Zahera will present a personal insight into the Bahraini uprising as well as addressing some of the key issues the revolutions are throwing up including, The history of Bahrain; The organisation of the uprising; The role of the media; Orientalism, sectarianism and the West; Islam and democracy; US empire in the Middle East. Organised by Socialist Aotearoa on Campus | www.socialistaotearoa.org

Saturday, April 16, 2pm, Top floor, 13 Garrett St (off Cuba St), Wellington
Wellington Palestine Group presents: Palestine in the New Arab World. The ‘New Arab Spring’ has emerged – Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and beyond – grassroots popular movements overthrowing oppressive state regimes. Yet we are not hearing much from Palestine, despite Palestinians being under perhaps the most oppressive and heavy handed regime – the state of Israel. What’s going on in Palestine now? What are the likely ramifications of recent uprisings for Palestinians? What can we do? Come along to this Wellington Palestine Group organised event to hear and discuss more and most importantly figure out how we can all use the skills we have to contribute to raising awareness for Palestine. Discussion and planning event for Palestine. Light afternoon tea will be provided. Contact for the event: Tali Williams tali.williams or 0212044087

Sunday, April 17, 1:00pm – 4:00pm, Linwood Park, next to East Gate Mall, Christchurch
RALLY FOR CHRISTCHURCH – let’s get organised! On the 2nd April, Action for Christchurch East and Beyond Resistance helped facilitate the creation of new local groups and offered a free and democratic space where issues were discussed and concerns and problems raised. Following from this successful first meeting, the people of Christchurch have decided to build on the rapidly growing momentum and sense of urgency that is spreading across the city. "6 months ago we were told that these issues were being dealt with and since February the powers that be have been working over-time to present the image of things getting better and everything being under control. The people can not be silenced forever." Said spokesperson Matt Jones. This next gathering promises to offer further opportunities for community organising and will also be the platform to make decisions for the immediate future. Winter is now making itself felt, homes are without heating, people are without shelter, raw sewerage spills on our streets whilst unemployment sores – Action for Christchurch East invites you to the second, much larger and louder event to have YOUR say and to put YOUR thoughts and ideas into action! (Action for Christchurch East is a network of concerned Christchurch residents, community activists and union organisers) http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=178458818867970#!/group.php?gid=157343997625497

Thursday, April 21, 6pm, Clubspace, Auckland University Quad
What would a socialist Auckland look like? A presentation by socialist activist Martin Graham on what Auckland would look like if it had a socialist economy. Economics has typically been the domain of the political right in recent years and is seen by many people as either a boring topic or a complicated one. Yet this presentation using video and music will engage both the imagination and the intellect to show that a radical economics can and should be based on everyday life. Taking us through a day in the life of an Aucklander in a post-capitalist economy, Martin’s presentation will give participants an imaginative look at how a socialist economy might function and why capitalism and state capitalism are failing us in the 21st century. Organised by Socialist Aotearoa on Campus. www.socialistaotearoa.org

Thursday, April 21, 6.30pm, Ellen Melville Hall, Freyberg Place (O’Connell St, CBD), Auckland City
The State We Are In – Fabian Society Public Lecure Series with Bernard Hickey, Director, Interest.co.nz

Friday, April 22, 7pm, Socialist Centre, 86 Princes St, Onehunga, Auckland
“Terminal 5 – how Arab revolutions and unnatural disasters fit with the five terminal crises of global capitalism”. Feudalism, slavery and every previous civilisation in world history had seemed all-powerful to its citizens until it a cluster of fatal crises sent the system plunging into a death spiral – and the painful birth of another type of civilisation. So it will be with global capitalism. Today the world system we live under faces certain doom from the uncontrollable intensification and interaction of five terminal crises: • profitability • ecology • resources • imperialism • legitimacy. The future of humanity is at stake. People wishing to influence the future must be able to read the signs in order to design realistic strategies for human survival and social solidarity. GRANT MORGAN is a longtime ecosocialist in New Zealand and editor of Arab solidarity website kiaoragaza.net. He has been investigating how the five terminal crises of world capitalism link into the wonderful wave of Arab democratic revolutions and the terrible tsunami of unnatural disasters (such as earthquakes triggered by climate change). Grant will be speaking on these era-altering issues later this month in Auckland. After his talk there will be open floor discussion. You and your family and friends are invited to attend. Here are the meeting details:

APRIL 28: WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY COMMEMORATION BLACKBALL
Comrades, We have confirmed to-day that we will hold a Workers Memorial Day (Thursday April 28th) commemoration service this year in Blackball on the West Coast. Obviously it gives us the opportunity to honour the Pike River Miners on this International Workers Day. The service of approx 30/45 minutes will be held at the Blackball Working Class Museum at 1.45pm. In the Working Men’s Club if wet. Speakers will likely include representatives from the EPMU. NZCTU, NDU and the ICEM . Local dignitaries and Representatives of the families will be invited to attend and to speak if they wish. The local CTU may also pay tribute to the Pike River Miners in song. The purpose of this email is the get the service in your diaries and ensure that our members and the speakers etc have time time to organise attendance etc. Please distribute this to your contacts who may be interested in attending. Regards, Ged O’Connell, Assistant National Secretary, NZEPMU, 03-3530286, 0275328152

Saturday, April 30, 7.30pm, Regent on Broadway, Palmerston North.
Unions Manawatu presents: Aotearoa NZ’s May Day Concert 2011 Celebrating International Workers Day: A great night of fun and solidarity in the form of song, music, dance and performance art from unions, community groups and individuals from throughout New Zealand and internationally. A special performance of "Trouble on the Waterfront": Multimedia musical snapshots of the 1951 waterfront dispute, by Chris Prowse & 8 other musicians from Wgtn. And Michael Houston, New Zealand’s premiere pianist plays jazz. Also featuring Ahmed Zaoui (poems), the Michelle Robinson Dancers, the Brazen Hussies, Luc & Kate (music, dance, visuals), Julia & Cara (hip hop), the Burmese Community Singers, Double U’s (Union Ukelele’s & friends) and more. Cost: Entry by $5 donation (children free). A separate collection will be taken at the interval, proceeds to families of the 29 Pike River Miners. Judges for the May Day Cup: Peter Conway (Secretary, NZCTU), Iain Lees-Galloway (Labour Party MP, PNth), Keith Locke (Green Party MP), Matt McCarten (National Secretary, Unite Union), Dolly Larkins (PSA Organiser, Pnth). Contact: Organised by Dion Martin (coordinator) Manawatu MayDay Coalition, on behalf of Unions Manawatu. PO Box 1327, Palmerston North. (06) 356 9658, (021) 776 029, dion.martin Organise for: Proper funding for public health, education housing and all public services; The unrestricted right to strike for significant political, social and environmental issues; Free education (student debt $12 billion); Stop privatisation of ACC; No to racism – welcome refugees/asylum seekers; Peace – and a NZ foreign and trade policy independent of US and globalised corporate control; $15 per hour minimum wage; All NZ & US troops OUT of Afghanistan & Iraq NOW; Support the Free Burma campaign and the CTU Tamil Nadu project ; Fight the 90 day Fire at Will law and other recent employment law changes. Supported by the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, the Palmerston North City Council and Creative Communities

Sunday, May 1
MARCH FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE. JOHN KEY IS NOT WORKING FOR NEW ZEALAND. A new Coalition of community groups, churches and unions has been formed. Our slogan is Social Justice (meeting occured on the 29th March 2011). Our aim is to challenge the policies of John Key and the National/Act/Maori party Government.We beleive they are bankrupt and are not serving the interests of the majority of New Zealanders. We are organising a MASS MOBILISATION of ordinary Kiwis on SUNDAY 1ST MAY. Also more action when National announces the BUDGET on 19th May 2011. From Cairo to London ordinary people are challenging the Free Market perscription from government cuts to privatisation/asset sales. New Zealanders are angry about GST, milk prices and secret Trade deals.. About cuts to Early Childhood education and privatisation of electricity. Meredydd Barrar, spokesperson says, "Enough is enough. Recent government announcements about cuts and a Budget that will certainly condemn the majority of New Zealanders to relative poverty is not acceptable. Children and struggling families as well as students looking to further their higher education will be penalised. There is a latent anger in New Zealnd at the moment. We aim to translate it into action. Nationals policies of cut backs and austerity measures will increase the gap between rich and poor which is already the 6th highest in the OECD. We beleive this is unacceptable and uncivilised. New Zealanders deserve better than this bankrput economic philosophy that only seems to make bankers, corporates and speculators richer”.

UNTIL MAY 2: KOTARE TRUST WORKSHOP SERIES – MOBILISING SUPPORT FOR UNION CAMPAIGNS
This workshop series is a space for union organisers to strategise on building support for union-wide campaigns with other progressive social justice movements and networks. We want people to come away from the workshops feeling energised and committed about being a unionist, feeling a strong sense of place in a wider social justice movement, and having a range of tools for building support among allies.

The workshops run over four Mondays in March, April and May. It’s okay if you miss some of the workshops, but for those that can come to them all, they will build on each other.
Monday April 18, 4.30pm-7.30pm. What techniques do we have to achieve the big goals?
Building on the earlier discussion on strategy and tactics, this session will look at what tools unions have to achieve campaign goals.
Monday May 2, 4.30pm-7.30pm. Who’s affected and how: coalition building
Using tools such as power mapping, this session will look at practical strategies for unions in coalition building with other progressive justice movements and community organisations, such as welfare and beneficiary rights activists.
Venue: All sessions will be run at Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. Parking is available on nearby side streets. Cost: $0-$50 sliding scale for each workshop. Please self-assess your payment and consider your means when deciding what to pay. Donations towards Kotare’s running costs are very welcome. If you are on a low income, please feel welcome to attend at a subsidised rate. Registration: Please register as soon as possible and no later than one week before each session. Spaces are limited and we want to ensure a good representation from different unions. We will be providing snacks/a light meal and need to know dietary needs in advance. Facilitation team: Tanya Newman, Rachel Mackintosh and Sam Huggard Registration. Registration is required. For more information and to register, please contact Tanya Newman at education or phone (09) 551 7765 or mobile (021) 0276-9112.

Friday, May 20, 7.30am, School of Population Health, Tamaki Campus, Auckland University
CPAG’s 11th Annual Post Budget Breakfast

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE ROGER AWARD FOR THE WORST TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OPERATING IN AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND IN 2010
WARNER BROTHERS WINS – BUPA 2ND – IMPERIAL TOBACCO 3rd – JOHN KEY & HIS GOVERNMENT WINNER OF ACCOMPLICE AWARD – PETER JACKSON WINS QUISLING AWARD. The full Judges’ Report is available at www.cafca.org.nz, (follow the Roger Award links from the Homepage) and on Watchblog.
Finalists: BUPA, Imperial Tobacco Telecom, Vodafone, Warner Brothers and Westpac. The Government (specifically John Key) was the only finalist for the Accomplice Award – (as part of the nomination of Warner Brothers). Criteria: the transnational (a corporation which is 25% or more foreign-owned) which is worst in each or all of the following: Economic Dominance -Monopoly, profiteering, tax dodging, cultural imperialism. People – Unemployment, impact on tangata whenua, women, children, abuse of workers/conditions, health and safety of workers and the public, cultural imperialism. Environment – Environmental damage, abuse of animals. Political interference – Cultural imperialism, running an ideological crusade. Judges: Paul Corliss, from Christchurch, 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 an activist in various community organisations; and Wayne Hope, Associate Professor, Communications Studies, Auckland University of Technology. The winner was announced at an event in Auckland on April 4th.

Warner Brothers was a first time nominee. The Judges’ Statement says that: ”The ‘Hobbit’ affair was an extraordinary example of transnational capital interfering in local politics, and overtly influencing the actions of the NZ Government (which richly deserves its Accomplice Award). It was an overt display of bullying that humiliated every New Zealander, and deliberately set out to do that… such interference in New Zealand politics sets a precedent for all future negotiations between the New Zealand government and transnational corporations”. It won because of its interference in NZ politics and governance and treatment of employees and contractors.

BUPA (which is the second biggest retirement home chain in NZ) came second “primarily because of its poor treatment of both its staff and its clients” (one of whom, a 100 year old woman, died after suffereing considerably for several months from misdiagnosed and untreated scabies). Imperial Tobacco came third, not only for selling a product which kills and addicts its users, but because of its role in setting up a fake citizens’ organisation to lobby for its product, a tactic which the judges described as “despicable and deceitful”. John Key and his Government won the Accomplice Award for their ignoble role in the whole Warner Brothers/”Hobbit” affair. “It has apparently given rise to a whole new men’s fashion garment in Hollywood – Warners of Wellington trousers. They have an arrow printed on the seat, and the words ‘kiss here’”. The judges announced a special Quisling Award for Sir Peter Jackson (to be awarded to the individual New Zealander who does the most to facilitate foreign control of New Zealand), once again for his role in the Warner Brothers/”Hobbit” affair. “Sir Peter Jackson – you are fully worthy of joining that other blackened knight, that other exemplar in selling out your country to foreign corporations, the one for whom this award is named – Sir Roger Douglas”. So, a triple sweep for the movie industry – the Roger, the Accomplice and the Quisling. Says it all really, doesn’t it.

OPERATION 8 RELEASED
CutCutCut Films is pleased to announce the release of Operation 8, a feature length documentary about the 2007 ‘anti-terror’ raids. Operation 8 is screening in the 2011 World Cinema Showcase, in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin – with the world premiere on Sunday 17 April, 2.45pm at the Paramount Cinema in Wellington. Screening times are as follows:
Wellington – Paramount Theatre
Sun 17 April, 2.45 pm; Mon 25 April, 2.45 pm; Wed 27 April, 3.15 pm
Auckland – Skycity Theatre
Mon 18 April, 3.00 pm; Mon 18 April, 8.15 pm
Dunedin – Rialto Cinemas
Mon 9 May, 8.30 pm; Tue 10 May, 11.15 am
Tickets for the film are available at the respective cinemas. You can read about the film and watch the trailer here: http://www.cutcutcut.com/Operation8.html http://worldcinemashowcase.co.nz/titles11/operation8.html Please forward this email on to any interested groups or individuals. We hope to see you there! Errol Wright & Abi King-Jones, CutCutCut Films www.cutcutcut.com Facebook (for updates click the ‘LIKE’ button on the facebook page) Twitter

WORLD CINEMA SHOWCASE
Thought you guys maybe interested in some of these films which will be shown as apart of world cinema showcase (http://www.worldcinemashowcase.co.nz/films.html) next month. Armadillo (http://www.worldcinemashowcase.co.nz/titles11/armadillo.html) and Restrepo (http://www.worldcinemashowcase.co.nz/titles11/restrepo.html) are two films about western forces in Afghanistan and would be worth seeing. When We Leave (http://www.worldcinemashowcase.co.nz/titles11/whenweleave.html) may also be worth a look considering the attacks against Turkish people in Germany.

AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS SOCIAL CHANGE TO STOP CLIMATE CHANGE SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 3
The event, which is sponsored by the Office of Environmental Programs at Melbourne University and organised by Green Left Weekly and the Socialist Alliance, will run from Friday, September 30 to Monday, October 3 at Melbourne University. The discussions at this conference will be enriched by the participation of one of the world’s foremost radical ecologists, John Bellamy Foster. A well-known economist from the United States, Foster is also an editor of Monthly Review and the author of The Ecological Rift (with Brett Clark and Richard York) The Ecological Revolution, The Great Financial Crisis (with Fred Magdoff) and Marx’s Ecology. Also leading the conference discussions will be Canadian ecosocialist writer and activist Ian Angus. Angus co-founded the Ecosocialist International Network and is the editor of Climateandcapitalism.com. He is the author of the forthcoming book Too Many People? Population, Immigration, and the Environmental Crisis (with Simon Butler) and has also authored Food Crisis: World Hunger, Agribusiness and the Food Sovereignty Alternative and edited The Global Fight for Climate Justice. http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47144

TARIQ ALI LECTURES AT AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY (video)
2011 Robb Lecture 1: Ali – Islam and its discontents (VIDEO). 2011 Robb Lecture 2: Ali – US power today: The global hegemon (VIDEO). 2011 Rob Lecture 3: Ali – The rise of China (VIDEO).

QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don’t stand in the doorway
Don’t block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There’s a battle outside
And it is ragin’
It’ll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin’."
Bob Dylan – "The Times They Are A-Changin’"
http://youtu.be/vCWdCKPtnYE

"A working class hero is something to be.
There’s room at the top they are telling you still,
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill,
If you want to be like the folks on the hill, "
John Lennon – Working Class Hero lyrics
http://youtu.be/UVEnm-LZozU

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND
Brian Rudman: Urewera decision fans the flame – Members of alleged ‘terrorist cells’ raided by police in 2007 will face a trial by judge alone. Photo / Alan Gibson Members of alleged ‘terrorist cells’ raided by police in 2007 will face a trial by judge alone. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10717311
Fran O’Sullivan: Protect our basic right to trial by jury http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10716484
Matt McCarten: Time for the Greens to step up to the mark http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10716725
No jury of their peers http://thestandard.org.nz/no-jury-of-their-peers/
John Minto: Iwi Used To Defend Economic Privatisation http://auckland.scoop.co.nz/2011/03/to-the-front-iwi-used-to-defend-economic-privatisation/
Hostile world media debate draws packed house http://cafepacific.blogspot.com/2010/05/hostile-world-for-media-debate-draws.html
Terror raid film’s timing ‘coincidental’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/national/4839869/Terror-raid-films-timing-coincidental
SIS Amendment Bill dangerous and should not be heard in secret http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1104/S00073/sis-amendment-bill-should-not-be-heard-in-secret.htm
CTU submission on SIS Bill http://union.org.nz/policy/submission-security-intelligence-service-amendment-bill
Government rams through New Zealand’s first PPP in education http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1104/S00086/government-rams-through-new-zealands-first-ppp-in-education.htm
John Minto: Lockwood Smith On The Wrong Side Of History Again http://auckland.scoop.co.nz/2011/04/to-the-front-lockwood-smith-on-the-wrong-side-of-history-again/#more-9516
Reuven (Rubi) Rivilin Auckland New Zealand Protest 3 April 2011
More Kiwis experiencing ‘food stress’ http://tvnz.co.nz/health-news/more-kiwis-experiencing-food-stress-4100020
Human rights body slams SIS changes http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10717663
What’s up, Doc? Bugs Bunny collects the ‘Roger’ for Warners over Hobbit bill http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/04/what%E2%80%99s-up-doc-bugs-bunny-collects-roger-for-warners-over-the-hobbit-bill/
Chris Trotter: Vacuum to fill in Labour camp http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/4847582/Vacuum-to-fill-in-Labour-camp

EARTHQUAKE
Canterbury Workers Need More Support http://union.org.nz/news/2011/canterbury-workers-need-more-support
John Hartevelt and Vernon Small (DomPost): Christchurch earthquake job losses dole ‘disaster’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/4847076/Christchurch-earthquake-job-losses-a-dole-disaster
Union calls for plan to rebuild quake-shattered lives http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/4842375/Union-calls-for-plan-to-rebuild-quake-shattered-lives
Gordon Campbell on Earthquake Welfare and Libya http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1103/S00278/gordon-campbell-on-earthquake-welfare-and-libya.htm
The Standard: Key’s kiss of death for Chch workers http://thestandard.org.nz/keys-kiss-of-death-for-chch-workers/

WELFARE “REFORM”
Mum refused food aid under tough new rules http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10717651
Donna Wynd and Susan St John (NZH): Reality ignored in parallel welfare universe http://www.nzherald.co.nz/social-issues/news/article.cfm?c_id=87&objectid=10715741

HONE HARAWIRA
Hone Harawira’s Ae Marika! http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1104/S00065/hone-harawiras-ae-marika.htm
Journey with No End – Hone Harawira http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1103/S00432/journey-with-no-end-hone-harawira.htm

NZ WORK RIGHTS
John Minto: Workers Give It Up For The Wealthyhttp://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1104/S00008/john-minto-workers-give-it-up-for-the-wealthy.htm
90 day research fatally flawed http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1104/S00027/90-day-research-fatally-flawed.htm
Maritime Union will campaign against Government attacks on workers http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1104/S00026/maritime-union-will-campaign-against-govt-attacks-on-workers.htm
Spotlight goes on abuse of overseas crews http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1104/S00042/spotlight-goes-on-abuse-of-overseas-crews.htm
Cries to clean up ‘sweatshop’ fishing operations get stronger http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/4844719/Cries-to-clean-up-sweatshop-fishing-operations-get-stronger
Michael Field (SST): Slavery at sea exposed http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4841777/Slavery-at-sea-exposed
Nigel Haworth: Corporate model poses threat to university’s excellence http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10711204
Widespread condemnation of employment law changes http://www.3news.co.nz/Widespread-condemnation-of-employment-law-changes/tabid/421/articleID/205051/Default.aspx
Union continues fight against 90-day law http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/9092726/union-continues-fight-against-90-day-law/
Health Workforce Boss Got It Badly Wrong http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1103/S00285/health-workforce-boss-got-it-badly-wrong.htm

NZ ECONOMY
Tapu Misa: Cuts in public services won’t stimulate economy to grow http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10716883
Govt debt could almost double by May – expert http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/govt-debt-could-almost-double-may-expert-4099987
Bernard Hickey: How the foreign profit and interest drain has made us poorer http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10717168
The Standard: They just waste it on booze & smokes http://thestandard.org.nz/they-just-waste-it-on-booze-smokes/
Brian Fallow: Wrong time to focus on long-term woes http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10717571
Campaigner warns NZ over transnational ‘disease’ and trans-Pacific secret deals http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/04/campaigner-warns-nz-over-transnational-disease-and-trans-pacific-secret-deals/

CULTURAL DISSENT
On Eve of Redefining Malcolm X, Biographer Dies http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/02/books/malcolm-x-biographer-dies-on-eve-of-publication-of-redefining-work.html
Hip hop binman trashes British health secretary http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47230
The culture of the revolution – Our occupation of Tahrir Square created a massive resistance-laden space for chants, songs, posters and placards. As the days passed, and as Hosni Mubarak refused to go, we became even
more creative http://www.socialistreview.org.uk/article.php?articlenumber=11636
Radiohead: The King of Limbs Music Review by Adam Marks, April 2011 http://www.socialistreview.org.uk/article.php?articlenumber=11640
Khirbet Khizeh – A story from Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Palestine – The first English translation of the classic novel of the Nakba, Khirbet Khizeh, has just been published by Granta. It is a powerful story of the real cost of the creation of the state of Israel. http://tinyurl.com/3wy865b
All Revolutions Have Conflicts, Ruptures, and Contradictions http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/6109

FEATURES
Tariq Ali: The Obama syndrome http://links.org.au/node/2245
‘Outsourcing danger’ – the conflicted challenges facing war reporters http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2010/05/outsourcing-danger-conflicted.html
Ground-breaking statement on sexual orientation and gender identity by record number of 85 States http://tinyurl.com/3ctvc5w
Kosovo: a template for disaster – The idea that Kosovo is a model for humanitarian intervention in Libya is based on a series of myths http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/21/kosovo-template-for-disaster-libya
Michel Collon about the intervention in Libya http://www.michelcollon.info/Michel-Collon-about-the.html?lang=fr
Liberal Imperialism: The History of ‘Humanitarian Intervention’ By Adam Curtis – Even if one’s instincts are to help those fighting Gadaffi, it is no longer enough just to see it as a struggle of goodies against baddies. For it is precisely that simplification that has led to unreal fantasies about who we are fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article27818.htm

LAND, LABOUR AND THE ENVIROMENT
A Solar Transition Is Possible: Report By Peter D. Schwartzman & David W. Schwartzman http://www.countercurrents.org/schwartzman060411.htm
Fukushima: A Nuclear Threat to Japan, the U.S. and the World: A confidential assessment by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission obtained by The New York Times suggests that the damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant is far from stable. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/fukushima-leak-threat-japan-us-world/story?id=13303513

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
Are We Just Outsourcing Our Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Tragedies? http://con.st/10017428
Of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1% – Americans have been watching protests against oppressive regimes that concentrate massive wealth in the hands of an elite few. Yet in our own democracy, 1 percent of the people take nearly a quarter of the nation’s income—an inequality even the wealthy will come to regret. By Joseph E. Stiglitz http://www.vanityfair.com/society/features/2011/05/top-one-percent-201105?currentPage=all

AFGHANISTAN
Militarism, Mutilation, and Minerals: Understanding the Occupation of Afghanistan – Video documentary featuring Malalai Joya, an Afghan MP and activist who was recently denied an entry visa to the United States. Film by Iara Lee. http://tinyurl.com/3jrh53z

ALGERIA
The road from Sidi Bouzid to Algiers http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article2053

AUSTRALIA
John Pilger: Privatisation is theft – the key to successful union campaigns is to involve the public http://tinyurl.com/3babaot

BAHRAIN
Regime terrorises its people http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47225
Bahrain police trying to run over protesters: Video
Bahrain firms fire hundreds of strikers in crackdown: Bahraini firms have fired hundreds of mostly Shi’ite workers who went on strike to support pro-democracy protesters, part of a government crackdown, an opposition group said on Tuesday. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/05/bahrain-idUSLDE7340DA20110405?rpc=401

CROATIA
Croatia protests show failure of political promise – Economic slump and institutionalised corruption have invited anti-capitalist sentiments for the first time since socialism http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/apr/02/croatia-protests-economic-slump

CUBA
All Revolutions Have Conflicts, Ruptures, and Contradictions http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/6109

EGYPT
The spring of the Egyptian revolution – The downfall of Hosni Mubarak was a historic achievement, but the revolutionary process in Egypt is ongoing. Mostafa Omar looks at the struggle for the future–this article was based on a speech given at the Left Forum in New York City on March 20. http://socialistworker.org/2011/03/30/spring-of-the-revolution
HAITI
Michel Martelly: Rightist and coup supporter http://www.canadahaitiaction.ca/content/michel-martelly-rightist-and-coup-supporter
Many leaving Haiti’s earthquake settlement camps http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/01/2145555/many-leaving-haitis-earthquake.html

HONDURAS
Honduran students defend occupied National University – Video http://tinyurl.com/3q53ot8
INDONESIA
Settlement at Nestlé Indonesia brings Nespressure campaign to successful conclusion http://cms.iuf.org/?q=node/851

JAPAN
Japan’s Nuclear Crisis: Genesis Of An International Catastrophe http://www.countercurrents.org/custers310311.htm

LAOS
Activists join forces against Laos’ Xayaburi Dam plan http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article20941

LIBYA
Libya: On No Fly Zones as a form of External Military Intervention http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article20929
Noam Chomsky: On Libya and the Unfolding Crises http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article20925
John Pikger: Attack on Libya is West’s response to Arab uprisings http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article20923
Libya: at the crossroads – Libya’s revolution faces stark choices. Simon Assaf looks at the roots of Gaddafi’s regime and the danger posed by Western intervention http://www.socialistreview.org.uk/article.php?articlenumber=11622
Dirty deals and unprincipled politics – Dealings with Libya in recent years by Europe have been dictated by unprincipled politics and naked profiteering. http://www.spectrezine.org/dirty-deals-and-unprincipled-politics
What does the West want in Libya? http://tinyurl.com/3coft96

NEPAL
WikiLeaks reveals US intervention against peace process http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47237

PACIFIC
Fiji journalists call for critical, creative coverage of climate change issues http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2010/09/10047/
Pacific journalists defend free media in latest PJR http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2010/10/pacific-journalists-defend-free-media-in-latest-pjr/
Thousands tipped for protest in support of detained Papuan nurses http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/03/thousands-tipped-for-protest-in-support-of-detained-papuan-nurses/
Tonga: Ashika verdict – all guilty, behind bars awaiting sentence http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/04/tonga-ashika-verdict-all-guilty-behind-bars-awaiting-sentence/
China – the Pacific’s new banker http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/world/4852608/China-the-Pacifics-new-banker

PALESTINE
The lies that fuel Israel’s war against the Freedom Fleet http://kiaoragaza.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/the-lies-that-fuel-israel%E2%80%99s-war-against-the-freedom-fleet/
The documented record still stands: Israel intentionally targets civilians and civilian infrastructure http://tinyurl.com/3gz9txn
Mighty Israel and its quest to quash Palestinian popular protest http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/mighty-israel-and-its-quest-to-quash-palestinian-popular-protest-1.352248
Interview with Norman Finkelstein: ‘Israel has bigger problems than me’ http://tinyurl.com/455z2xw
Goldstone’s Shameful U-turn By Ilan Pappe http://www.countercurrents.org/pappe050411.htm
Goldstone’s Rethink By Jonathan Cook http://www.countercurrents.org/cook050411.htm
Gaza: the Stain Remains on Israel’s War Record: Human Rights Watch: In seven cases, for example, Israeli troops killed a total of 11 Palestinian civilians who had been waving white flags to signal their civilian status. In six other cases, Israeli drone operators fired on and killed a total of 29 Palestinian civilians http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/04/05/gaza-stain-remains-israels-war-record
Heading Toward an Israeli Apartheid State By Daniel Blatman – The aim of this legislation is the gradual establishment of an apartheid state in Israel, and the future separation on a racial basis of Jews and non-Jews. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article27827.htm

SYRIA
Syria reaches boiling point http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47238
The delusions of Bashar al-Assad – The rhetoric of resistance no longer conceals the repressive policies of the Syrian regime. http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/04/20114314059483767.html
Syrian protest town ‘holds general strike’: The southern Syrian town of Daraa, the centre of pro-democracy protests, was hit by a general strike on Tuesday and braced for fresh rallies after midday prayers, a rights activist said. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110405/wl_mideast_afp/syriapoliticsunrestdaraa

USA
A Grassroots Call to Tackle Corporate Tax Dodging http://blog.sojo.net/2011/03/28/a-grassroots-call-to-tackle-corporate-tax-dodging/
Thousands across USA rally in support of workers’ rights http://tinyurl.com/3zkrk9y
‘Tax the rich’ – Former US Labor Secretary Robert Reich
American Gulag: Guantanamo is an Evolutionary Experiment By Lisa Hajjar – US detention centre can remain open as long as the "war on terror" continues, with no end in sight. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article27820.htm

VENEZUELA
Venezuela’s Dreams and Demons: Has the Bolivarian Revolution Changed Education? http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/6072

YEMEN
Another Middle East tyrant at the brink – A YOUTH revolt based around Sanaa University in Yemen’s capital has spearheaded a nationwide movement that is on the verge of bringing down another U.S.-backed strongman, Ali Abdullah Saleh. http://socialistworker.org/2011/03/28/another-middle-east-tyrant
Tensions run high in Yemen as 19 killed http://bit.ly/i7bNuS
No plans to suspend military aid to Yemen: US http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hq0gdrn-os3ilYBa3iak9cKQFbsw
Protesters flood the streets in Yemen’s second city in ongoing defiance of government http://wapo.st/dUX8wo
Yemen’s Useful Tyranny – The Forgotten History of Britain’s ‘Dirty War’ By Media Lens – The war lasted almost a decade under both Tory and Labour governments, and cost around 200,000 lives. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article27826.htm

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN BOLIVIA SOLIDARITY TOUR 2011
Greetings, The Latin American Forums of Melbourne and Sydney invite you and /or your organisation to participate in the first solidarity tour to Bolivia organised from Australia. Under the leadership of President Evo Morales, Bolivia is one of the countries in Latin America that is undertaking a radical progressive change. Bolivia is moving from the unjust and exploitative neo liberal capitalist state to a new form of participative community democracy, where the needs of the people are put before the drive for profits for the minority. We invite you to participate in this solidarity tour to meet activists from community, environmental, indigenous groups and unions and see for yourself how this transformation is taking place. See attached leaflet for more detail. Please note the deadline for expressions of interest. Please pass on this information to your contacts. Please direct all inquiries to John or Fred (details below). In Solidarity, John Cleary +61 407500839 or email johncleary271 Fred Fuentes +61 412 556 527 or fred.fuentes

JOIN THE MAY DAY 2011 SOLIDARITY BRIGADE TO VENEZUELA! APRIL 25TH – MAY 4TH, 2011
The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network invites you to observe first-hand the inspiring Bolivarian revolution in Venezuela. The sweeping social changes being carried out by Venezuela’s “people’s power” movements are radically transforming life for the majority in that country – workers, women, Indigenous people, young people and all those who have suffered the injustices of poverty, exploitation and exclusion that accompany corporate globalisation. Along the way, this remarkable revolution is showing the rest of the world that a more rational, socially just and sustainable future is possible.
A special feature of the 2011 May Day brigade will be the opportunity it offers to observe the developing workers’ participation and workers’ control that is a vital part of the Venezuelan revolution, with visits to worker-run factories and cooperatives, and meetings with trade union and community management representatives in a variety of sectors and regions. The brigadistas will also observe Venezuela’s grassroots democracy in action, with visits to the social missions, communal councils and communes. They will meet and speak with grassroots activists in the free, high-quality public health and education services; sustainable development projects; community controlled media; and women’s and Indigenous organisations. Joining the huge May Day rally in Caracas on May 1st will be a another highlight.
This brigade is the 12th solidarity and study tour organised by the AVSN. Participants’ reports and photos from previous brigades are available at http://www.venezuelasolidarity.org
Registration and costs: The deadline for registering for the 2011 May Day solidarity brigade is February 28, 2011. Participants will need to book their own international airfares, but the AVSN can help with advice (please do not book without contacting us to confirm the dates). The AVSN will organise all accommodation, transport and English-Spanish translation for the brigade. People joining from Australia will need to budget for a total cost of $3500-4000, which will cover international return airfares (between $2200-2600 from Australia); all food, transport and accommodation (on a shared basis) during the brigade; and the brigade registration fee ($500 for workers or $300 for full-time students, unemployed and pensioners). For more information about this or future brigades, please email brigades or phone Lisa Macdonald +61 413 031 108, Roberto Jorquera +61 425 182 994 or John Cleary +61 407 500 839.