GPJA #374: Sat: Syria protest; Mana Party; QPEC / Sun: May Day

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 374, April 29, 2010

WHAT’S ON

Saturday, April 30, 2pm Aotea Square, Queen St, Auckland

Syrian solidarity Demonstration – At least 400 peaceful syrian protesters were killed, Hundreds others injured and thousands detained since the 15th of March 2011. Syrians demanding the fall of the regime.
A Child from Daraa After being released
Syrian Security force’s brutal torturing
Massacre in Daraa
Called by Syrian Solidarity: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Syrian-Solidarity-Syrian-Revolution-2011-New-Zealand/204571902908786

Saturday, April 30, 12 noon, Te Mahurehure Marae, 73 Premier Ave, Point Chevalier, Auckland.
PUBLIC LAUNCH OF MANA PARTY WITH HONE HARAWIRA ET AL

Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May, St Columba Centre, Vermont Street, Ponsonby
QPEC (Quality Public Education Coalition) National Conference – For everyone interested in fighting the National Party’s attacks on public education this will be an important event. It brings together the key players in education in election year. Everyone welcome. The agenda for the two days is:
Saturday 30 April
9 am – Morning tea is available on arrival.
10 am – Welcome and introduction. Liz Gordon, QPEC Chairperson
10.15-12.15 – Forum on education issues. A series of 5 speakers will provide a sectoral analysis of current education issues: David Do, NZUSA; Robin Duff, PPTA; Paul Goulter, NZEI; Sandra Grey, TEU; Peter Simpson, NZPF.
12.15-1.15 – Lunch, networking and media work
1.15-3.30 – Current issues in education: Privatisation – Chris Lubienski; Public tertiary education – Sharn Riggs; Early Childhood Education – Speaker tba; Pacific education – John and Judy McCaffery.
3.50 – 5.00 – National standards forum: Martin Thrupp (Chair) and activists
5.00-5.45 – QPEC AGM
Evening – We will be providing pizza for dinner and some entertainment
Sunday 1 May
9am – Forum on inequality. Speakers include Ivan Snook and John O’Neill on class and education, Mike O’Brien of the Alternative Welfare Working Group, Campbell Roberts of the Salvation Army, Catherine Delahunty and Sam Drumm of Edmund Rice.
12.30pm – Lunch and Networking/organising meeting (hosted by NZUSA)
2.00 -Political forum. Politicians from all political parties have been invited to participate, providing an overview of key issues in education, and how their 2011 policies will address these. This will be followed by an open floor discussion.
4.30 – Conference ends.

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

Saturday, April 30, 3pm to Sunday May 1, 1pm, Artworks Theatre, Waiheke Island
Greetings all, Come to a mix of theatrical presentations with linking political themes this weekend at Artworks, Oneroa, Waiheke: Theatres of Resistance, coordinated by Carol Weitzel. Presenters include: Pita Rikys, Sue Fitchett, Vanessa Ryan, Billy Hania, Ben Thorp, Katy Soljac, Billy Fluid, Anna Mayne, Basil Holmes, Puhi Rewiti, Scott Ewing, Playback Theatre

Saturday, April 30, 8pm, Waiheke Island
In conjunction with this weekend’s theatrical events at Artworks, Oneroa, Waiheke TIvoli is screening ARNA’S CHILDREN a film by Juliano Mer Khamis, 2004, 85 mins Israel, Palestine, The Netherlands. Best Documentary Feature, Tribeca Film Festival. Arna, an Israeli Jewish woman married to an Arab Israeli, ran a theatre group in the Palestinian refugee camp Jenin until her death. Her son, who directed this film, subsequently became director of Jenin’s Freedom Theatre. He was assassinated this year. Theatres of Resistance is dedicated to him.

Sunday, May 1, 2pm, QEII Square, Downtown, Queen St, Auckland
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 electiricty.

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”. For more info call CSJ on 098366389; 0212106720 or email capwaitakere

Tuesday, May 3, 12.30-1.30 pm followed by a light lunch, Function Room 730-220, School of Population Health, University of Auckland Tāmaki Innovation Campus 261 Morrin Road, Glen Innes, Auckland.
Ideas of Ora: Equity and Health. The idea of Ora – balance and well being – will be used as a way of exploring questions about medicine, health and the wider society. Speaker: Distinguished Professor Dame Anne Salmond, University of Auckland. Free visitor car parking is available via the main entrance at gate 1. Anne Salmond grew up on the East Coast and as a teenager, was taken under the wing of Eruera and Amiria Stirling, Maori elders from that district. Now Distinguished Professor in Maori Studies and Anthropology at the University of Auckland, she is the author of seven award-winning books and many articles on Maori life and early contacts between Europeans and islanders in Polynesia. Anne is a Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences; a Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy; a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand; and a Dame Commander of the British Empire. There is no charge to attend but it is essential, please, to RSVP to w.hicks.

Tuesday, May 3, 7.5pm, WT1004 (AUT Tower Building, 2 Rutland St, 10th floor seminar room, next door to Pacific Media Centre
Environmental journalism in Oceania: Investigative icons from nuclear refugees to climate change migrants – MEDIA FREEDOM DAY SEMINAR: The fate of 2700 islanders from the Carteret Islands off the north-eastern coast of Bougainville has become an icon for the future of many communities on low-lying small states globally and especially in the Pacific the so-called "climate change refugees" or "environmental migrants". They are a controversial casualty of the failure of developed nations to deal decisively with the global warming crisis. Iconic images of islanders leaving their ancestral homeland and relocating also resonates with earlier environmental parallels in the Pacific such as the evacuation of Rongelapese and other Marshall islanders in the wake of nuclear testing and the forced shift of Banaban islanders to Rabi in the Fiji Islands because of phosphate mining. Despite an inspired and colourful campaign by Pacific Island delegates at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009, global geopolitics stifled the outcome to the disadvantage of Oceania. This paper examines investigative and communication strategies in reporting climate change in both mainstream and alternative public spheres. Associate Professor David Robie is director of the Pacific Media Centre. This is an adaptation of a paper he presented on environmental journalism at the recent Oceans, Islands and Skies: Oceania Conference on Creativity and Climate Change at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji. This paper is being published as part of the Oceans, Islands and Skies proceedings. Map www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/contact

Sunday, May 8, 10am, Unite Union office, 6A Western Springs Road, Kingsland, Auckland
SPRINGBOK TOUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY MEETING: Hard to believe but this year marks the 30th anniversary of the 1981 Springbok tour. A meeting is being called to discuss how we mark this anniversary. Everyone is welcome to attend at 10am on Saturday 7th May at Unite Union office, 6A Western Springs Road, Kingsland, Auckland. Late July is likely to be the focal point of the anniversary. The Boks arrived on 19 July with the Waikato game stopped on 25 July and media interest will be likely around this time. Global Peace and Justice Auckland has invited South Africa’s Abahlali baseMjondolo (Shackdwellers) movement to send a representative here in July. ABM is the largest organisation of the poor in South Africa. They are sending their Public Relations Officer, Mnikelo Ndabankulu, and we are planning a national tour. It’s 17 years since the ANC was elected to power but for most of the poor the situation has worsened. Mark Fredericks from South Africa will also be here. Mark has prepared a video documentary on the proud history of non-racial sport and its place at the heart of the struggle against apartheid. The video also looks at the betrayal of non-racial sport by the ANC and by elite, corporate-organised sport. Screenings of his video will be arranged around this time also. Please pass this message on to anyone who might be interested to come on 7th May. John Minto johnminto

Sunday, May 8, 6pm, Academy Cinema, 44 Lorne Street, Auckland
COUNTDOWN TO ZERO: A film fundraising for the benefit of the Christchurch Disarmament and Community Centre. Demand Zero: Countdown to Zero traces the history of the atomic bomb from its origins to the present state of global affairs: nine nations possess nuclear weapons capabilities with others racing to join them, with the world held in a delicate balance that could be shattered by an act of terrorism, failed diplomacy, or a simple accident. Written and directed by acclaimed documentarian Lucy Walker (Devil’s Playground, Blindsight), the film features an array of important international statesmen, including Jimmy Carter, Mikhail Gorbachev, PervezMusharrafand Tony Blair.The film was produced by Academy Award® winner and 2009 nominee Lawrence Bender (InglouriousBasterds, An Inconvenient Truth) and developed, financed and executive produced by Participant Media, together with World Security Institute. Watch the trailer at admin
Thursday, May 12, 6pm, OGGB4, Level 0, Owen Glenn Building, University of Auckland, 12 Grafton Road, Auckland

AUCKLAND PUBLIC LECTURE- DR JAMES HANSEN: Dr. James Hansen, the scientist behind the number 350 and one of the world’s most prominent and influential climate scientists, is coming to New Zealand in May, including speaking in Auckland. His public talks, entitled “Climate Change: a scientific, moral and legal issue” will be presented in Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, Dunedin, Gore and Christchurch over a 10-day period. For more info on his other tour dates visit www.facebook.com/JamesHansenNZTour
Auckland Public Lecture Topic:
A huge gap exists between what is understood about climate change and what is known about climate change — understood by the relevant scientific community and known by the people who need to know, the public. Because of the nature of the climate system — its "inertia" and "tipping points" — the matter is more urgent than is apparent, and policies that governments propose to address it are nearly useless. The intergenerational injustice raises a profound moral issue, as greenwashing governments worldwide feign ignorance of the actual situation and the fecklessness of their policies. The tragedy is compounded by the fact that a simple honest solution is possible — one that stimulates the economy, phases out fossil fuel addiction, and stabilizes climate — but it would require putting the public’s interest above that of special financial interests that hold sway in national capitals around the world. Potential legal remedies, to force governments to do their job, will be tested. But what may be most effective would be to find a government, any government, to stand up in international circles and tell the truth.
About the lecturer:
Dr James Hansen is probably best known for bringing the urgency of the climate change issue to the world’s attention when he gave evidence to the US congress in 1988. He is Adjunct Professor at Colombia University’s Earth Institute and director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York. Dr Hansen has been an active researcher in planetary atmospheres and climate science for nearly 40 years, with the last 30 years focused on climate research, publishing more than 100 scholarly articles on the latter topic.

Friday, May 13, 6pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Reception for Cuban visitor Ezequiel Morales from the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples: Ezequiel was born to a peasant family. In his early years, he walked the streets cleaning shoes and selling cakes in order to support his family and to pay a ‘teacher’ to tutor in reading and writing. He was eight years old when the revolution triumphed and from then on he was able to attend a School Centre. Ezequiel’s vocation as a teacher dates back to his childhood, when he joined the Literacy Campaign carried out in Cuba in 1961, despite being only ten years old, and taught two illiterate peasants how to read and write. As a union leader, he was the Secretary General of various branches of the Union of Educators until 1996 when he began to work at his current position with the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP). Ezequiel has participated in the continuous improvement of the National System of Education as a member of the Team of Authors within his specialty. Ezequiel also worked as part of the team of authors at the Ministry of Education, and also served as National Supervisor for English Teaching. Ezequiel has held his current position with the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples since 1996 and has been selected to be part of the Cuban delegation to several brigades of solidarity with Cuba, such as The Venceremos Brigade from The United States and The Southern Cross Brigade from Australia and New Zealand. He also attended the First Conference of USA-Cuba Solidarity, celebrated in Havana, as a member of the Cuban delegation.

Saturday, May 14, 7pm, Trade Union Centre, 34 Harwood St, Hamilton
Reception for Cuban visitor Ezequiel Morales from the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples: Raglan/Hamilton Friendship Group, Helen Ritchie ph 64 7 8257470 helenr

Sunday, May 14, Wellington
Reception for Cuban visitor Ezequiel Morales from the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples

Friday, May 20, 7.15am 8.30am, School of Population Health, Tamaki Campus, Auckland University, Gate 1, 262 Morrin Rd, Bldg 730, Function Rm 220 on Level 2, Glenn Innes.
CPAG’s 11th Annual Post Budget Breakfast – Budget 2011: Children, collateral damage? Speakers: Professor Paul Dalziel, Associate Professor Susan St John, Associate Professor Papaarangi Reid. Cost $30 waged, $15 unwaged. RSVP admin

Friday, May 20, 7:15am 8.30am, St John’s Conference Centre, Cnr Willis and Dixon Streets
The Annual Wellington Post-Budget Breakfast – Budget 2011: Children, collateral damage? Co-hosted by the Public Health Association and Child Poverty Action Group. Join us for breakfast and hear how local commentators score the 2011 Budget. Breakfast will begin at 7:15am; speakers will begin at 7.30am. Secure your seat! Register now to postbudgetbreakfast Please pre-pay by direct deposit to account BNZ 02-0576-0234109-000, with your name and ‘PBB’ as the particulars. Cost: $20 $12.00 for unwaged workers. With Speakers: Bill Rosenberg Economist and Policy Director of the NZ Council of Trade Unions (CTU) Anne Else Author, Editor, Blogger, long time CPAG Executive member Alan Johnson Co-chair CPAG, Senior Policy Analyst, Salvation Army Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit. Chairperson: Nikki Turner Child Poverty Action Group. The PHA’s goal is to improve the health of all New Zealanders by progressively strengthening the organised efforts of society, and by being an informed, collaborative and strong advocate for public health. Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) is an independent charity working to eliminate child poverty in New Zealand through research, education and advocacy. For any queries about this event email postbudgetbreakfast

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

OFFICIAL OPPOSITION TO DEEP SEA DRILLING AND PETROBRAS EXPLORATION IN NEW ZEALAND
The following is a growing list of organisations, businesses, groups and high profile individuals who have declared their opposition to deep sea oil exploration and the Petrobras Permit off the East coast of New Zealand… please add your name or an organisation name that have publicly confirmed their opposition by sending me an email to nodrillnz If you are in touch with other organisations who also oppose, please pass this on and ask them to sign on by sending me an email to nodrillnz
The List so far…
IWI AUTHORITIES & HAPU: – Te Rūnanga ō Te Whānau + all 12 hapū of te Whānau-a-Apanui (opposed to Petrobras Permit) – Te Rūnanga ō Ngāti Porou (opposed to Petrobras Permit)

POLITICAL PARTIES: – NZ Green Party (opposed to Petrobras Permit); – Māori Party (opposed to Petrobras Permit);
ORGANISATIONS & BUSINESSES: – NZ Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society; – Nuclear Free NZ Flotilla; – 350 Aotearoa; – Coal Action Network Aotearoa; – Coromandel Watchdog; – Greenpeace NZ; – ECO (Environmental & Conservation Organisations); – Peace Movement Aotearoa; – Board Riders Against Drilling (B-RAD); – AHI International Ltd; – Camp for Climate Action Aotearoa; – Withoutyourwalls Climate Justice Infoshop; – Climate Justice Aotearoa
INDIVIDUALS: – Peter Williams QC (Lawyer); – Meng Foon (Mayor, Gisborne District Council); – Lucy Lawless (Actress); – Taika Waititi (Director)

INTERNSHIP AT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL NEW ZEALAND?
Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand is part of the global Amnesty International movement and exists to help New Zealanders add their voices to the many voices around the world, working to defend the human rights and dignity of people everywhere. Interns play an integral role in the running of Amnesty NZ. Our Internship Programme is designed to ensure that participants are given a rewarding and valuable experience. We are currently recruiting for Interns, for our July 2011 intake. This intake starts on the 4th of July and will run for five months. The following internships are available for this intake: Advocacy (Auckland based); Advocacy (Wellington based); Campaigns (Auckland based); Events (Auckland based); Fundraising (Auckland based); Media (Auckland based); Youth Activism (Auckland based); Activist Support (Auckland based). For further information and an application form please visit http://www.amnesty.org.nz/get-involved/work-amnesty-international/become-intern
Best regards, Chris Kerr, Advocacy & Government Relations Manager, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AOTEAROA NZ, PHONE: +64-9-303-4520 ext 207 | MOB: +64-21-963214 | FAX: +64-9-303-4528 | WEB: amnesty.org.nz Support the human rights revolution in the Middle East & North Africa, donate now at http://bit.ly/dUbQMR

FABIAN SOCIETY: 2011 A BIG YEAR FOR NEW ZEALAND.
The response to the 2010 Fabian seminars on the Resilient Economy indicates that there is a widespread desire for a critical assessment of the failed economic models of the last thirty years. The Fabians strongly reject the neo-liberal slogan ‘there is no alternative’ (TINA). Instead, we believe ‘there are real alternatives’ (TARA), and we have aimed to supply alternatives to assist the debate.

The New Zealand economy remains stalled. The Government talks about the need to promote the export sector but there is still no evidence of a detailed and determined plan to shift the focus and build a stronger future for the next generations. Our program this year will feature around the "Plan for the Productive Economy" series.
Fabians 2011 Seminar program
“The Plan for the Productive Economy”: Rick Boven, NZ Institute, St John’s Church Hall, Wellington, 6pm Wednesday 17 May
“Reconstructing Christchurch”: Peter Harris & Hon Lianne Dalziel MP, St John’s Church Hall, Wellington, 5:30pm Wednesday 27 April
“Inequality in New Zealand”: Dr David Craig, St John’s Church Hall, Wellington, 5:30pm Wednesday 11 May
“Squandering the demographic bonus”: Profs Ian Pool and Natalie Jackson, Ellen Melville Hall, High Street, Auckland CBD, Thursday 9 June
“Taxing Capital gains in New Zealand”: Prof Craig Elliffe and Chye-ching Huang, Owen Glenn Building, Auckland Business School, 6:30pm Thursday 5 May
Further seminars and venues will be advised as soon as they are finalised. We intend to mix the standard lectures with more interactive debates, and continue to seek presenters who are expert and committed to New Zealand’s future. Your suggestions are welcome. Annual General Meeting: The Society has now incorporated, and an Annual General Meeting will be held in June. Date and venue will be advised later.

Thanks: We would like to thank all of you who have made it along to the seminars or followed us on line. Thanks for being interested enough to join the debate and add to the growing chorus of those who believe urgent action is needed if NZ is to retain control over its own future. As always, we would be grateful if you could forward this message to others who may be interested. Please continue the conversation with family and friends, delve into our growing archive of papers and presentations.

OPERATION 8: DEEP IN THE FOREST
CutCutCut Films is pleased to announce the release of Operation 8, a feature length documentary about the 2007 ‘anti-terror’ raids.
Dunedin – Rialto Cinemas Mon 9 May, 8.30 pm; Tue 10 May, 11.15 am. Book tickets through the venue.
Theatrical releases: Wellington, Paramount – from 5 May; Waiheke Cinema – from 5 May; Martinborough, Circus Cinema TBC. more cinemas coming soon… Watch the trailer:

QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"The two parties have combined against us to nullify our power by a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ of non-recognition, no matter how we vote … May God write us down as asses if ever again we are found putting our trust in either the Republican or the Democratic Parties." – W.E.B. DuBois (1922)

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND
AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL UNIONISTS AND FIGHTERS FOR EQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN AOTEAROA https://gpjanz.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/an-open-letter-to-all-unionists-and-fighters-for-equality-and-social-justice-in-aotearoa/
Reflection on Anzac Day by Marianne Bevan, one of the recipients of the 2010 White Poppy Peace Scholarships. The first recipients of the 2011 White Poppy Peace Scholarships will be announced tomorrow. This message is available on-line at http://www.facebook.com/notes/peace-movement-aotearoa/some-thoughts-on-anzac-day/183831318330912
Move cuts help to anti-violence groups http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10721930
Call of Solicitor-General to Stay Case against Urewera 18 http://tinyurl.com/3jhab86
BDS Action – Auckland New, Zealand 23 April 2011
Danger signals of New Zealand’s profit-driven television http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/articles/danger-signals-new-zealands-profit-driven-television
Discontent continues to fester on copyright front http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/discontent-continues-to-fester-on-copyright-front
Lawyers want Urewera case dropped http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4933366/Lawyers-want-Urewera-case-dropped
Justice should prevail in Urewera 18 jury decision – Fran O’Sullivan http://www.nzherald.co.nz/best-of-business-analysis/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501241&objectid=10720960
Some thoughts on Anzac Day A reflection on Anzac Day by Marianne Bevan, one of the recipients of the 2010 White Poppy Peace Scholarships. http://www.facebook.com/notes/peace-movement-aotearoa/some-thoughts-on-anzac-day/183831318330912
Russell Brown (Public Address): Secrets and Lies http://bit.ly/g39DC7
Tactical Utu in a Strategic Quagmire http://bit.ly/flPdT0
National slaps loan sharks with a dead fish http://tinyurl.com/3wdotra

NZ WORK RIGHTS
Helen Kelly Speech to International Workers Memorial Day http://tinyurl.com/3fcxr2f

NZ ECONOMY
Andrew Gawith and Susan Guthrie: Subsidising incomes stunts growth http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10721469&ref=rss
Gisborne Herald editorial canes CAFCA – and readers’ responses http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/articles/gisborne-herald-editorial-canes-cafca-and-readers-responses
People power prescription to cure the trans-Pacific free trade ‘disease http://cafepacific.blogspot.com/2011/04/people-power-prescription-to-cure-trans.html
OECD super advice ‘badly timed’, says CTU http://bit.ly/fbXXQT
End secrecy on TPP trade talks petition http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10718852
Petition Seeks Parliamentary Hearing on Trans-Pacific Partnership Pact http://tppwatch.org/2011/04/12/petition-seeks-parliamentary-hearing/

CULTURAL DISSENT
Operation 8: Review – http://www.listener.co.nz/culture/film/romeo-mnl/operation-8/
What Keith Douglas can tell us this Anzac Day http://readingthemaps.blogspot.com/2011/04/what-keith-douglas-can-tell-us-this.html

FEATURES
Noam Chomsky, Who Owns the World? http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175382/

LAND, LABOUR AND THE ENVIROMENT
Reflections On The Way From Cochabamba To Durban – Speech by Elizabeth Peredo Beltran, Director of Bolivia’s Solon Foundation, to the closing session of the Cochabamba+1 Conference in Montreal, April 17, 2011 http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=4239

AUSTRALIA
The imperialist reality behind the ANZAC myth http://links.org.au/node/2277

BAHRAIN

Adam Hanieh on the US, the Gulf states and Libya http://links.org.au/node/2279

BOLIVIA
The Law of Mother Earth: Behind Bolivia’s Historic Bill – A new law expected to pass in Bolivia mandates a fundamental ecological reorientation of the nation’s economy and society. http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2011/04/law-of-mother-earth-behind-bolivias.html

CANADA
Prison break throws Canada’s Afghan legacy into doubt http://tinyurl.com/3lac3cd

CHINA
Third day of Shanghai strike threatens China exports http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/22/china-strike-idUSL3E7FM09J20110422

CUBA
Raúl Castro has launched a campaign of genuine renewal and redirection http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/apr/20/raul-castro-cuba-renewal-redirection?INTCMP=SRCH
Sixth congress of the Communist Party concludes — three assessments http://links.org.au/node/2280
EGYPT
Empowering Egypt’s workers revolution – Since the fall of Mubarak, union members formed a new political party and struggle to nationalise their company. http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/04/20114221812915532.html

HAITI
Deportees from U.S. face bleak prospects in Haiti By Allyn Gaestel, Los Angeles Times http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-haiti-deportees-20110424,0,6043247.story

JAPAN
Japan’s nuclear history in perspective: atoms for war and peace http://links.org.au/node/2274
Fukushima and Capitalist Inhumanity http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=4154

LIBYA
Libya’s History Sheds Light on Current Conflict http://tinyurl.com/6l2g5rt
PHILIPPINES
New Zealand NGO wants Philippine mining firms’ permit scrapped http://cbcpnews.com/?q=node/15312

RUSSIA
Russia’s Crime of the Century – How crooked officials pulled off a massive scam, spent millions on Dubai real estate, and killed my partner when he tried to expose them. http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/04/20/russia_s_crime_of_the_century?page=full

VENEZUELA
Controversy in Venezuela over Arrest of Alternative Journalist http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/6151

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

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