GPJA #389: Sat 12 noon Aotea Sq – Auck protest against the Infringing File Sharing Amendment Bill
August 26, 2011 Leave a comment
GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 389, August 26, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 12 noon, Aotea Square, Queen St, Auckland
Auckland protest against the Infringing File Sharing Amendment Bill
SKYNET LAW
Govt ‘could fall victim’ to Skynet law http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/5423864/Govt-could-fall-victim-to-Skynet-law
13 reasons why the Infringing File Sharing Act is bad for you by Christopher Wood http://www.geekzone.co.nz/juha/7615
Basics of the new law http://3strikes.net.nz/information/law-basics
No one’s safe from the ‘Skynet’ law – expert http://www.3news.co.nz/No-ones-safe-from-the-Skynet-law—expert/tabid/412/articleID/221067/Default.aspx
SEPTEMBER 11: 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF SPRINGBOK TOUR PROTESTS
Hi everyone, Sunday September 11th is Auckland’s day to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1981 Springbok tour protests (just a day out from the 3rd test and final game of the tour in Auckland). We are having a final planning meeting over a morning tea (address below) next Sunday 21st August at 10am. Please come if you are able. So far we have booked the Mt Eden War memorial hall from 1pm to 8pm and the proposal is something like this: 12noon gather at Walters Road entrance to Eden Park for a walk around the park to scenes of the 81 battles with different people recounting events at different places; then to the hall for a welcome for S’bu Zikode from the shackdwellers organisation Abahlahli baseMjondolo (S’bu will be touring NZ with stories of struggle in post-apartheid South Africa where things are often worse for the poor now than before the ANC government); screen the film Patu and a short video from S’bu called Dear Mandela; afternoon tea; the photo exhibition from Reel Pictures and a power point-type presentation by our own renowned protest photographer John Miller; some short speeches and perhaps an "open mike"; remembering those who have passed on since 1981; some entertainment perhaps etc etc We will need help on the day with set up/tidyup etc and to make it all work smoothly we have next Sunday’s meeting. Please come if you can – (John Minto baked scones for morning tea) Hope to see you there. Please pass this on to anyone you think may be able to help.
Regards, John Minto, 4 Ethel Street, Morningside, Auckland. Ph (09) 8463173
NATIONWIDE DAY OF STUDENT ACTION SEPTEMBER 14
Students from Victoria University of Wellington, the University of Auckland and Massey University Wellington are calling for a Nationwide Day of Student Action on Wednesday 14 September. The government is trying to dictate how students organise on campus, with so-called ‘Voluntary Student Membership’ set to become law in the next month. Universities are under attack from their own management, with lecturers being sacked and research shut down at Victoria University in Wellington, under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Pat Walsh. Students at Victoria University are calling for Pat to be sacked. Auckland University management, under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Stuart McCutcheon, is attempting to remove key academic freedoms from lecturers, calling into question the whole idea of the university as a community of scholars. University management is already cutting papers that encourage students studying business to think critically, things will only get worse. Students at Auckland University are calling for Stuart to be sacked. We are calling for high school students, university students, and everyone else (after all, we are al students really) to organise and prepare for a Nationwide Day of Student Action on Wednesday September 14!
For more information on what’s going on at Victoria University go here: http://www.facebook.com/SackPatWalsh
For more information about what’s going on at the University of Auckland go here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Casual-Uprising-of-Students-Against-the-Abolishment-of-MGMT-231/146445948777427
http://saveourconditions.org/
To help organise in Wellington go here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/264767836875624/
To help organise in Auckland go here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/240219706015827/
ACT NOW: FIJI: WITHDRAW ANTI-UNION LAWS, RESPECT WORKERS’ RIGHTS
Fiji’s military government has dramatically stepped up its harassment of trade unionists. Recently FTUC President Daniel Urai was arrested for holding an ‘illegal’ meeting, and his trial is due to start on 2 September. Meetings of the FTUC itself have also been prevented. Fiji has been under a military dictatorship since 2006, as a result of which Fiji has been suspended from the Commonwealth and the Pacific Islands Forum. The European Union has also suspended overseas aid payments to the regime. Leaders and activists of the Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) have been assaulted or detained on several occasions. In February, Felix Anthony, General Secretary of the FTUC and of the Sugar Workers’ Union affiliated to the ITF and the IUF was taken from home by three uniformed military officers and subjected to threats. His family including children were also threatened. A new government decree issued on 29 July will, ‘effectively abolish all trade unions in Fiji’, according to the FTUC. Fiji has ratified the two relevant core ILO Conventions – Convention 98(1974) and Convention 87 (2002) and is obliged to observe the workers’ rights enshrined in them. Moreover, as a member state of the ILO, the Government of Fiji has an obligation to adhere to the Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work adopted by the ILO in 1998. You can help! Type in your name and email address, then click on ‘Send Message’ on the bottom of this page LINK. http://bit.ly/r7C2fM
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. Register now for this important conference! Friday, September 30 – Monday, October 3, 2011, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, Melbourne University. http://climatechangesocialchange2011.wordpress.com/http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/47144
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
MANA KAIMAHI NETWORK ESTABLISHED
Hi All, Syd Keepa (Mana Movement spokesperson on employment and industrial relations) and Mike Treen have agreed to establish a network of unionists who support the Mana Movement. Called the Mana Kaimahi Network we want to encourage active participation of working people in the Mana Movement leading up to the election on November 26. In the first instance we would like to invite active unionists and union officials to join an email network and/or facebook group to coordinate activities. Until the election we will focus on distributing Mana election material in workplaces, communities and unions; enrolling potential Mana voters; and identifying Mana supporters within the trade union movement to join Mana. In the near future we look forward to the possibility of forming workplace, union or cross-union branches of Mana members. We will aim to have an active role in promoting policy that upholds the interests of working people. Email me to be added to the network mike Join the Mana Kaimahi Network on facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/163366273740120/
POLITICAL POSTER ART IN AOTEAROA
Kotare’s exhibition of political posters, “Art/Movement”, celebrates the creative force of flaxroot activism: the passionate energy of those working for justice in Aotearoa as embodied in the power, beauty and humour of street poster art. Highlighting a variety of key themes in the Kotare collection, the exhibition at the ArtStation Gallery features over 100 posters on honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi, anti-racism/anti-apartheid, unemployed workers’ rights, feminism, peace, environmentalism, and education. Come along and be inspired! Supporting events at the gallery. 20 September, 5-7pm, exhibition opening; 22 September, school students’ talk with Elizabeth Rankin (Professor of Art History, University of Auckland) and Sue Berman (Kotare); 24 September, 2-3pm, "The people behind the posters", oral history presentation with Sue Berman (Kotare); 24 September, "Silkscreen political posters: design and print"; workshop with Jarad Bryant (ArtStation – requires booking and fee); 1 October, 2-4pm, "Dare to struggle, dare to sing", Sue Berman and the Kotare crew: BYO stories, posters, and banners. Postcard reprints of selected posters will be available for sale. There is an opportunity also to purchase a limited edition silk screened poster by Christchurch political artist and historian Jared Davidson. Details will be available on the website : www.kotare.org.nz/Political_Poster_Exhibition Orders and enquiries to research@kotare.org.nz or call Sue Berman 09 833 3421
DRAFT REPORT ON ELIMINATING RACISM IN NZ AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION
Please find below a link to a PDF of a draft copy of New Zealand’s 18th, 19th and 20th periodic reports (consolidated as one document) under the United Nations International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD). The Ministry of Justice is seeking public feedback on the draft CERD Report. The feedback period will run until 30 September 2011. humanrights More background on CERD, article 14 and the draft Report may be found at http://www.justice.govt.nz/policy/constitutional-law-and-human-rights/human-rights/consultation.
WORKSHOPS TO BUILD AND STRENGTHEN WORKING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN UNIONS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS
Hamilton: Monday 29th of August – Anglican Action Conference RoomTe Ara Hou, 100 Morrinsville Rd
Dunedin: Thursday 1st of September, NZNO office, 10th Floor, John Wickliffe House, 265 Princes St
Wellington: Monday 5th of September – NZNO National office, Level 3, Willbank House, 57 Willis Street
Unions and community groups often have mutual interests.. Increasing levels of poverty, inequality and decreasing access to services are all issues we need to combine forces on. We often support each other on these issues. Imagine how much more impact we could have if we could further strengthen the ties between us. That’s why the Kotare Trust is organising these workshops – as a space for building strong, ongoing relationships between unions and community groups working for social change – and to look at how we can campaign alongside one another for mutual benefit. The workshops will include discussing our different ways of working; campaign goals, objectives, strategy and tactics; and shared courses of action in the lead-up to the election and beyond. Cost: We are offering this workshop at the lowest possible cost. The fee is $185 per union attendee and $85 per community organisation attendee. In effect, union colleagues will be subsidising $50 per place for community organisations. If the fee is a real barrier to attending, please contact us and we will see whether we can further subsidise your place. Registration: Please register as soon as possible and no later than Friday the 19th of August. Spaces are limited so get in quick! Facilitation team: Tanya Newman (Kotare) and Liz Robinson (Kotare and NZNO). Kotare’s vision is of a future with economic, social and environmental justice in Aotearoa based on Te tiriti o Waitangi. With that vision in mind, our purpose is to support community action for a more just world through participatory education and research. education or 09 5517765.
WHAT’S ON
Saturday, August 27, 12 noon, Aotea Square, Queen St, Auckland
Auckland protest against the Infringing File Sharing Amendment Bill
Sunday, August 28, 2pm, Whaiora Marae, Otara Road, Otara, Auckland
HONE HARAWIRA PUBLIC HUI: Kia ora whanau, Hone will be at Whaiora Marae, Otara Road, Otara THIS SUNDAY 28 August 2011 at 2pm. Nau mai, haere mai, koutou katoa! All are welcome to attend. Hope to see you there.
Sunday, August 28, 5.30pm, “Southern Cross” Abel Smith Street, Wellington
STANDUP WELLINGTON NETWORK – LAUNCH: We’re establishing grassroots networks across the country to become a strong and relevant youth union movement that will campaign on issues important to young New Zealanders and support other causes in the community. We’re launching our Wellington network on Sunday. You should come…and bring a friend! StandUp is having a get together to launch our Wellington Network. We’ll be talking about getting our local activism off the ground, planning a local youth rates campaign and organising how to link in with other young members of all unions. Southern Cross on Abel Smith Street from 5.30 pm, everyone welcome. And don’t forget to like the StandUp Facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/nzstandup
Thursday, September 1, 7.30pm, Knox Lounge, Cnr Bealey Ave & Victoria St, Christchurch
West Papua: Pacific Peoples seeking Peace in their own lands with John Ondawame. Dr. John Otto Ondawame is the Vice Chairman of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation. West Papua has been occupied by Indonesia since 1962 and its indigenous Melanesian people increasingly face a struggle to protect their human rights and their lands. The story of West Papua is one of struggle and resistance that is often ignored. John has been an international advocate for West Papua since his exile in 1979, lobbying for support especially in the Pacific region. Currently he is Coordinator for International Relations for the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation operating from its new office in Vanuatu. He is one of the nominations for the West Papuan negotiation team in the coming peace talks between the Government of Indonesia and representatives of the people of West Papua.
Contact: gillian.southey Tel: 027 3549899
Friday, September 2, 12.30pm, High Commission of the Republic of the Fiji Islands – 31 Pipitea Street, Thorndon, Wellington
The Fijian Government is removing rights of workers and unions – and it’s getting worse…. Physical assaults of union leaders; Detention of union and church leaders; Restrictions on being able to hold meetings; Major restrictions on the media;Decrees removing trade union and human rights
Military presence in a number of civilian workplaces like sugar mills. Joint protest by CTU and Amnesty International.
Friday, September 2, 1-3pm, Lecture Theatre OGGB5, Level 0, OGGB Building, University of Auckland Business School, 12 Grafton Road, Auckland
Launch of the report – The effectiveness of public investment in Maori and Pasifika children. Maori and Pasifika children are more likely to live in poverty than other groups of New Zealand children. This report, commissioned by Every Child Counts and authored by Dr Manuka Henare of the University of Auckland, explores the contributing factors of Maori and Pasifika child poverty – and presents a new paradigm for future planning.
RSVP to anton.blank 09-376 8378. Every Child Counts is a coalition of Barnardos, Plunket, UNICEF, Save the Children, Te Kahui Mana Ririki and thousands of others working together to improve the status and wellbeing of New Zealand children.
Saturday, September 3, 5.30pm, Te Whare o Te Ata (Fairfield/Chartwell Community House), 60A Sare Crescent, Fairfield, Hamilton.
Mana Hauraki-Waikato Public Forum From South Africa: An evening with a shack-dwellers’ movement leader. S’bu Zikode has been President of the Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement in South Africa since 2005. ABM is the largest organisation of the poor in South Africa and campaigns for housing, water and electricity supplies for the poorest South Africans. Schedule: 5.30pm Kai: Soup & Bread, 6.30 John Minto, 7.00 S’bu Zikode (8.30pm finish).
Cost: Koha / $2 unwaged. Contact: Jared Phillips 029-4949-863 or Alvina Barret-Nepe 027-221-6864. Public Forum hosted by Mana Movement (Hauraki-Waikato), All Welcome!
Monday, September 5, 10am, Copthorne Hotel, 449 Memorial Avenue – near Christchurch Airport
National Cabinet Welcoming Committee! For the first time in 16 years the cabinet are meeting outside of the beehive to acknowledge the anniversary of September’s Earthquake. The same cabinet that brought us 1000’s of families freezing in condemned homes, record levels of unemployment, attacks on workers and beneficiary rights, billion dollar bailouts for private business and a cabinet with a clear agenda to drag New Zealand into a third world economic state – LET’S MAKE IT CLEAR THAT NOT EVERYONE IN AOTEAROA LOVES JOHN KEY AND HIS PARASITIC MATES!!!
Monday, September 5, 8pm, Paramount Theatre, Wellington
UNIONAID FUNDRAISER – REPEAT SHOWING OF THE EXCELLENT “WASTELAND” FILM: UnionAID has been successful in obtaining another excellent Oscar nominated film as a UnionAID fundraiser. Winner of nine audience awards at festivals the world over, including the 2010 Sundance film festival, “Waste Land” is a truly inspiring and moving film about celebrated New York artist Vik Muniz’s work with Rio garbage pickers on an ambitious art project in his native Brazil. Tickets $20 available from insidejob5 All proceeds to UnionAID projects See www.unionaid.org.nz and join us on Facebook
Tuesday, September 6, 5.30pm, NZCTU, Level 7, West Block, Education House, 178 Willis St, Wellington
BOOK LAUNCH – “UNIONS IN COMMON CAUSE”: Helen Kelly, President, NZCTU, will launch “Unions In Common Cause, the New Zealand Federation of Labour 1937-88.” Published by Steele Roberts, this book is the first detailed study of the history of the New Zealand Federation of Labour. Based on a conference held in 2007, it includes chapters by four leading labour historians (Erik Olssen, Peter Franks, Melanie Nolan and Ray Markey), contributions by past and present union activists, biographical and statistical information. The book is richly illustrated. RSVP to Julia London julial@nzctu.org.nz before Thursday 21 July for catering purposes. Phone 04 8023810
Tuesday, September 6, 7.30pm, MacLaurin Chapel, 18 Princes St, Auckland (corner of Princes Street and Waterloo Quadrant)
Hear West Papuan leaders discuss the road to peace and how the Pacific Island Forum Leaders can help. The indigenous Melanesian people of West Papua have been forced to live under Indonesian military rule since the early 1960s, but yearn to be part of the Pacific family again. Speakers: Dr John Ondawame, West Papua People’s Representative Office in Vanuatu; Rex Rumakiek, Secretary-General West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPCNL); Paula Makabory, Institute of Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights (IPAHR) Australia and ELSHAM West Papua (One of the 1000 peace women nominated for the Nobel Prize in 2005). The Pacific Islands Forum meets in Auckland 6-9 September at Sky City in Auckland. Forum leaders must not overlook West Papua which is experiencing an unimaginable human rights tragedy: ‘slow genocide’ What can we do to help. Contact Indonesia Human Rights Committee, Box 68-419 Auckland 1125 or maire
Tuesday, September 6, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m, Knox Centre, Bealey Ave (cnr of Victoria), Christchurch
INTRODUCING S’BU: S’bu Zikode has been President of the Abahlali baseMjondolo (urban shack-dwellers) movement in South Africa since 2005 . (See http://www.abahlali.org/ ) AbM is based in Durban and campaigns for housing, water and electricity supplies for the poorest South Africans. Together with the Landless People’s Movement (Gauteng), the Rural Network (KwaZulu-Natal) and the Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign, AbM is part of the Poor People’s Alliance – a network of radical poor people’s movements in South Africa. Before becoming President of AbM S’bu was Chairperson of the Kennedy Road Development Committee (Kennedy Road is one of the shack-dwellers’ settlements in Durban). He has spent over ten years campaigning for housing justice. S’BU’S VISIT TO NZ: S’bu has been invited to New Zealand by Global Peace and Justice Auckland as part of the 30th anniversary commemoration of the 1981 Springbok Tour of New Zealand. His visit is a great opportunity for New Zealanders, especially those active in the campaign against the 1981 Springboks, to get an up-to- date picture of progress in South Africa in the 17 years since the first democratic election. S’bu will be speaking at public meetings in six cities in New Zealand, and showing highlights from a newly released award-winning post-apartheid movie, Dear Mandela. This film deals specifically with the difficulties faced by young and poor black South Africans today. Read more on S’bu, and also link to what he has written, at christine (03) 329 4588 / 0274 911 884 and for more information about his national tour contact
John Minto, Spokesperson Global Peace and Justice Auckland. Ph (09) 8463173 or 021447067
Thursday, September 8, 7-9pm, Canterbury WEA 59 Gloucester Street, Chrictchurch
WEA Classes on The 2011 Referendum on the Voting System. Starts 8 September, 7-9pm, 3 Thursdays. All welcome! 8 Sept: ‘Understanding Referendum 2011: What are my options?’ – Therese Arseneau, Senior Fellow, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Canterbury.
15 Sept: ‘Proportional and non-proportional systems’ – Alan McRobie, political scientist specialising in electoral systems. 22 September: ‘Why MMP is good for New Zealand’ – the Campaign for MMP Group. A call to our office to register for one or more of these free events is appreciated; phone 366 0285; email: cwea
Tuesday, September 13, 6pm, Museum of Wellington City & Sea, Historic Harbour Board Room, Wellington
1951 WATERSIDERS LOCKOUT DRAMATISED. Few confrontations have divided New Zealand as decisively as the 1951 Waterfront Dispute, lasting 151 days, from February 26 to July 15. Pass It On by playwright Renee Taylor is the peoples’ story of the 1951 waterfront lockout. Come and see Jeannie, Gus, Nell and Cliff and their comrades as they struggle to get their message to the people. Spliced with scenes shot in Wellington, ‘Pass it on’ promises to be as moving and real for audiences today as it was 60 years ago. This version has been produced by Year 12 Paraparaumu College Drama students, and is a whole class collaborative project. The production will take place in the Museum of Wellington City & Sea’s magnificent historic Board Room of the Wellington Harbour Board – one of the key players in the bitter dispute. The dispute is the longest standing industrial dispute in New Zealand’s history. Bookings: Phone: 472-8904, E: museumswellington Koha/gold coin donation (max X50 tickets)
Monday, September 19, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road Grey Lynn, Auckland
GPJA Special Forum in conjunction with AUT’s Pacific Media Centre: Inside Al Jazeera: Guest Speaker Yasmine Ryan. Yasmine Ryan writes for Al Jazeera English Online, where she focuses on North Africa, France and digital activism. She has spent much of the year in Tunisia covering the uprising and its aftermath, and will be returning to cover what Tunisians hope will be their first free and democratic election in October. Al Jazeera has led the way with its coverage of the Arab Spring, gaining a much wider global audience as many people turned away Western news outlets. http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/profile/yasmine-ryan
Tuesday, September 20, 5-7pm, ArtStation Gallery, 1 Ponsonby Rd, Newtown, Auckland
Opening: Political Poster Art in Aotearoa – Kotare’s exhibition of political posters, “Art/Movement”, celebrates the creative force of flaxroot activism: the passionate energy of those working for justice in Aotearoa as embodied in the power, beauty and humour of street poster art. Highlighting a variety of key themes in the Kotare collection, the exhibition at the ArtStation Gallery features over 100 posters on honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi, anti-racism/anti-apartheid, unemployed workers’ rights, feminism, peace, environmentalism, and education. Come along and be inspired! Supporting events at the gallery. 20 September, 5-7pm, exhibition opening; 22 September, school students’ talk with Elizabeth Rankin (Professor of Art History, University of Auckland) and Sue Berman (Kotare); 24 September, 2-3pm, "The people behind the posters", oral history presentation with Sue Berman (Kotare); 24 September, "Silkscreen political posters: design and print"; workshop with Jarad Bryant (ArtStation – requires booking and fee); 1 October, 2-4pm, "Dare to struggle, dare to sing", Sue Berman and the Kotare crew: BYO stories, posters, and banners. Postcard reprints of selected posters will be available for sale. There is an opportunity also to purchase a limited edition silk screened poster by Christchurch political artist and historian Jared Davidson. Details will be available on the website : www.kotare.org.nz/Political_Poster_Exhibition Orders and enquiries to research@kotare.org.nz or call Sue Berman 09 833 3421
Saturday, September 24, 5.30pm, Cityside Baptist Church Hall, 8 Mount Eden Road, Mt. Eden, Auckland
‘Remains to be Seen: Tracing Joe Hill’s ashes in New Zealand’—an easy-to-read account of censorship and radical labour during the First World War—will be launched in Auckland September 24. Jared Davidson, author and designer of ‘Remains to be Seen’, will share a few thoughts on the book, to be followed by a screening of ‘The Wobblies’—a classic and informative documentary of one of the worlds most lively and radical unions, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). You can watch an excerpt here: Come along and share in a slice of Aotearoa’s radical history. More information on the book can be found at http://www.rebelpress.org.nz/publications/remains-to-be-seen.
Thursday, September 29, 6.30 PM Powhiri, WAIPAPA Marae, 16 Wynyard St, Auckland University, Auckland
MANA TOI presents A Contemporary Maori Art Fundraiser: With works from a selection of inspiring contemporary Maori Artists including Star Gossage,Tracey Tawhiao, Ngahina Hohaia, DLT, Rakai Karaitiana, Hemi Kiwikiwi, Charlotte Graham and many more. With GOOD food, beverages & conversation. Live Music from Whirimako Black, Dam Native & DJ Phaze plus others. Special Guest Speakers including Rob Tuwhare reading his late fathers poetry And Hone Harawira for a Q & A. MANA TOI is a collective of Artists who fundraise for non-funded Art initiatives. This fundraiser is in support of MANA MOVEMENT’s Artists who want to support changes directly through Art & Music. Tickets are $75.00 each and there will be tables of 10. If you buy a table you go into win a painting by Tracey Tawhiao. There are only 150 tickets and fifteen tables. To purchase tickets or a table please email: info or tearahori23 Links that may help: http://www.wises.co.nz/l/Auckland/Auckland+Central/Waipapa+Marae/ http://www.korero.maori.nz/forlearners/protocols/powhiri.html
Friday, December 2, Victoria University, Wellington.
New Zealand Labour Law Society Inc (In conjunction with Victoria University of Wellington Law School). Invites you to attend its Inaugural Conference. The New Zealand Labour Law Society Inc will hold its inaugural conference at Victoria University of Wellington on Friday 2nd December 2011. This conference which occurs shortly after the election will focus on two main themes: Labour law across the Tasman and future directions in labour law. Labour Law Across the Tasman: Professor Andrew Stewart (University of Adelaide) will give an address on the current state of labour law in Australia and on the impact of the Australian government’s Fair Work reforms. Professor Richard Johnstone (Griffith University) will speak on Australia’s proposed model OHS law. Future Directions for Labour Law?: The conference date is one week after the 2011 General Election – the ideal opportunity for crystal ball gazing. In addition to keynote speakers and commentators the conference will also feature special sessions looking at future directions in selected areas of the law. These (depending on interest and papers received) are likely to include: Legal Challenges in Advancing Pay Equity, Good Faith Bargaining, Workplace Health and Safety, Employment Security, whether New Zealand should adopt a comprehensive National Employment Standards on the Australian Model. Enrol online now at the Early Bird rate of $200 -Places will be limited. Online enrolment is now open at www.victoria.ac.nz/law/about/events/2011/labour-law-conf.aspx
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed." Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Resistance is feasible even for those who are not heroes by nature, and it is an obligation, I believe, for those who fear the consequences and detest the reality of the attempt to impose American hegemony.” – Noam Chomsky
"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act" — George Orwell
BEST ON THE WEB
NEW ZEALAND
Saboteur priest happy in service of the poor http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/viewer.aspx
John Armstrong (NZH): Reassuring noises from top brass heard before
ACC choice fuels privatisation fears http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/5488884/ACC-choice-fuels-privatisation-fears
Anti capitalist action against Adidas- video http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/08/anti-capitalist-action-against-adidas.html
National Standards opposition brings unwarranted punishment http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1108/S00121/national-standards-opposition-brings-unwarranted-punishment.htm
Clear evidence of deep and widespread concern about National Standards http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1108/S00118/evidence-of-widespread-concern-about-national-standards.htm
Green party announces cost saving transport plan http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1108/S00422/green-party-announces-cost-saving-transport-plan.htm
Matt McCarten: Goff shines by coming clean on class war http://www.nzherald.co.nz/employment/news/article.cfm?c_id=11&objectid=10746432
Call for full funding for quake-hit schools and ECE centres until end of 2012 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1108/S00114/call-for-full-funding-for-quake-hit-schools-nzei.htm
Super Fund investing in cluster bombs – Greens http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10747545
Cuts and consequences http://thestandard.org.nz/cuts-and-consequences/
MANA MOVEMENT
Ae Marika! | 23 August 2011 http://hone.co.nz/2011/08/23/ae-marika-23-august-2011/
Q+A: Mana candidate John Minto (9:39) http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/mana-candidate-john-minto-9-39-video-4358289
EARTHQUAKE
National Party Welcoming Committee! http://actionforchristchurcheast.blogspot.com/2011/08/national-party-welcoming-committee.html
National’s broken promise on quake compensation http://www.3news.co.nz/Nationals-broken-promise-on-quake-compensation/tabid/423/articleID/223282/Default.aspx
Losers and winners in Govt offer http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/rebuilding-christchurch/5497065/Losers-and-winners-in-Govt-offer
Unlucky, but don’t toss us aside http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/5496534/Unlucky-but-don-t-toss-us-aside
Business leaders call insurance delays ‘a cancer’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/5495668/Business-leaders-call-insurance-delays-a-cancer
POVERTY & INEQUALITY
The secret to making money by Dr Campbell Jones is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, University of Auckland. http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/5509344/The-secret-to-making-money
Pay gulf bewteen boss and workers widens http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5477556/Pay-gulf-widens
Choose to reduce inequality in Aotearoa New Zealand.Fill in a "Closer together Choice Card" and drop it into any NZ Post http://www.closertogether.org.nz/
The NZCCSS Auckland Services Group commissioned Auckland Vulnerability Report. http://www.nzccss.org.nz/uploads/publications/AuckalandVR1.pdf
Tapu Misa: Idolise wealth creators? That’s rich http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10743593
BenefitCard – Creating Brighter Futures since 2011
NZ WORK RIGHTS
Help Pak ‘n Save workers get a cost of living pay rise http://sticktogether.org.nz/
Rugby World Cup security strike threat http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10747310
Foreign fishing crews are a modern form of colonisation http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1108/S00261/foreign-fishing-crews-are-a-modern-form-of-colonisation.htm
Union urges wider seafood inquiry http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/5499098/Union-urges-wider-seafood-inquiry
Fish bait for meals? Inquiry begins http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10746914
Adidas jersey makers paid under $100pw http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10745056
Boycott of Auckland University Courses and Careers Day http://teu.ac.nz/2011/08/boycott-of-auckland-university-courses-and-careers-day/
Fishing enquiry has to deliver http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1108/S00315/fishing-inquiry-has-to-deliver.htm
Fishing inquiry needs to hear first-hand evidence of affected seafarers
TV3:CTU puts equal pay issue back in the spotlight
MAF cuts threaten New Zealand industries http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1108/S00327/maf-cuts-threaten-new-zealand-industries.htm
Wellington feels pain of state job cuts http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5502967/Wellington-feels-pain-of-state-job-cuts
NZ ECONOMY
The Great New Zealand Firesale!
C’mon Minister! Less spin and more movement http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1108/S00322/cmon-minister-less-spin-and-more-movement.htm
Gareth Morgan and Susan Guthrie: Rot at centre of modern economics http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10746808
Gareth Morgan’s Big Kahuna http://thestandard.org.nz/gareth-morgans-big-kahuna/
Food prices rises continue to outpace wages http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1108/S00348/food-prices-rises-continue-to-outpace-wages.htm
Youth unemployment problem an election issue? Talking Politics by GORDON CAMPBELL http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/opinion/5499289/Youth-unemployment-problem-an-election-issue
CULTURAL DISSENT
Billy Bragg -There Is Power In A Union
FEATURES
The Arab Awakening by Rami G. Khouri http://www.thenation.com/article/162973/arab-awakening?rel=emailNation
WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
Crises Real and Artificial, and Why a New ‘New Deal’ is Not Feasible http://critiqueofcrisistheory.wordpress.com/
Martin Hart-Landsberg: The troubled US economy means a shaky world economy http://links.org.au/node/2461
We’ve been warned: the system is ready to blow – Only a new way of managing the global economy can prevent more mayhem in the markets and on the streets http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/aug/14/larry-elliott-global-financial-system
Economic attacks against Arab democracy: In their latest documents and meetings, the G8, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund reacted to the democratic movements in the Arab world: The recipe calls – as it did before the popular ousting of the Tunisian and Egyptian presidents – for privatization, austerity measures and “market liberation”. Patrick Bond, economic advisor to the new South African government from 1994-
2002, analyses the ramifications of the economic campaign on Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Palestine. “The same neoliberal pro-dictator narrative was established in Libya, for example, in the IMF’s October 2010 pronouncements in which Muammar Gaddafi’s mass firing of 340 000 civil servants was celebrated: “About a quarter have reportedly found other sources of income and are no longer receiving transfers from the state budget. The mission recommends that the retrenchment program be accelerated.” http://www.palestine.rosalux.org/fileadmin/ab_palestine/pdf/RLF_newsletters_EN/RLF_PAL_Patrick_Bond_G8.pdf
Wall Street Aristocracy Got $1.2 Trillion in Fed’s Secret Loans http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-21/wall-street-aristocracy-got-1-2-trillion-in-fed-s-secret-loans.html
This disastrous ‘debt crisis’ myth: The real risk of a new recession in the US and Europe comes not from debt, but by strangling growth with a fiscal tourniquet http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/aug/17/debt-crisis-recession-economic-policy
LAND, LABOUR AND THE ENVIRONMENT
George Monbiot: As the dream of economic growth dies, a new plan awaits testing http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/aug/22/economic-growth-environment
Anti-capitalism and environmentalism as a political alternative http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=5234
Why GMOs won’t feed the world (despite what you read in the New York Times) http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=5222
Africa: Famine – Less land, more hunger http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article2252
The whys of hunger http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article2250
La Via Campesina: Food sovereignty now! (video) http://links.org.au/node/2464
Fred Magdoff on ‘What every environmentalist needs to know about capitalism’ http://links.org.au/node/2465
AUSTRALIA
Australian aid boost to help Cuban health aid initiative in Timor-Leste http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/08/australian-aid-boost-helps-cuban-health-aid-initiative-in-timor-leste/
Hard Labor: Black incarceration rates soar http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48577
BNC Condemns Repression of BDS Activism in Australia http://www.bdsmovement.net/2011/bnc-condemns-repression-of-bds-activism-in-australia-7866
The vultures of capitalism: Serco and the death of 14 year old Adam Rickwood http://wwwcolinpenter.blogspot.com/2011/01/vultures-of-capitalism-serco-and-death.html
Mental health nurse sacked for criticism http://www.smh.com.au/national/mental-health-nurse-sacked-for-criticism-20110818-1j0aj.html#ixzz1VXrVc57m
Serco’s record of detention shame http://www.sa.org.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=7022%3Asercos-record-of-detention-shame&Itemid=453
Serco Cancels Asylum Seekers’ Hospital Appointments For “Talking” http://refugeeaction.org.au/2011/08/23/serco-cancels-asylum-seekers%E2%80%99-hospital-appointments-for-%E2%80%9Ctalking%E2%80%9D/
Serco accused of brutal at detention site http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/10106592/serco-accused-of-brutal-at-detention-site/
BOLIVIA
A Week At the Barricades http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2011/08/bolivia-week-at-barricades.html
Separating Fact from Fantasy in Bolivia (Book Review of From Rebellion to Reform in Bolivia, by Jeffrey Webber) http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2011/08/separating-fact-from-fantasy-in-bolivia.html
Let Me Speak! A Bolivian Woman Miner’s Revolutionary Life http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2011/08/let-me-speak-bolivian-woman-miners.html
CANADA
Canada’s rulers unite around newly aggressive and militaristic course http://johnriddell.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/canada%E2%80%99s-rulers-unite-around-newly-aggressive-and-militaristic-course/
CHILE
Chilean Students Refuse Talks With Congress On Reform Demands http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsworld.php?id=608253
COLOMBIA
Demand the Immediate Freedom of Liliany Obando Following the Third Anniversary of Her Arrest http://nchamahmiller.blogspot.com/2011/08/demand-immediate-freedom-of-liliany.html
Colombia’s National Encounter for the Land and Peace: Is a Political Solution Possible? http://afgj.org/?p=1508
Colombia Inquiry Implicates US Aid in Abuses of Power – Funds allegedly used for spying, political activities By Karen DeYoung and Claudia J. Duque New revelations have implicated American aid, and possibly US officials, in egregious abuses of power and illegal actions by the Colombian government under the guise of fighting terrorism and drug smuggling. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article28903.htm
HAITI
No tarp relief for Haiti’s homeless: Individual Americans donated a total of $1.4bn after the 2010 earthquake, yet 600,000 Haitians are still living in tents. Why? http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/aug/22/haiti-homeless-tents-aid
Brazilian Defense Minister Amorim Supports Withdrawal of Troops from Haiti — But When? by Mark Weisbrot http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/weisbrot210811.html
INDIA
Red Bengal’s rise and fall http://www.newleftreview.org/?page=article&view=2909
Kashmir Is A Human Rights Disaster By Naveed Qazi http://www.countercurrents.org/qazi250811.htm
LIBYA
Too soon to declare victory http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/08/2011823123039439122.html
Seumas Milne: Libya’s imperial hijacking is a threat to the Arab revolution http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/aug/24/libyas-imperial-hijacking-threat-arab-revolution
The Great Tripoli Uprising http://www.juancole.com/2011/08/the-great-tripoli-uprising.html
Rebel advances mask uncertainty over Libya’s future http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/21/libya-rebel-advances-mask-uncertainty
The Scramble for Access to Libya’s Oil Wealth Begins http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/23/business/global/the-scramble-for-access-to-libyas-oil-wealth-begins.html?_r=1&nl=afternoonupdate&emc=aua2
NATO Tries to Control Libyan Revolution: Hamid Dabashi: Neo-liberalism a greater threat to Libya than tribalism or extreme Islam http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=7187
Robert Fisk: History repeats itself, with mistakes of Iraq rehearsed afresh http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-history-repeats-itself-with-mistakes-of-iraq-rehearsed-afresh-2343459.html
Robert Fisk: How long before the dominoes fall? We have spent far too much time honouring the courage of Libyan "freedom fighters" as they scurried across the desert floor, far too little time examining the nature of the beast, the glutinous Transitional National Council whose supposed leader, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, has still been unable to explain if his own chums connived in the murder of their own army commander last month
MEXICO
Electrical Workers Occupy ZÓcalo as Leaders Are Charged http://www.ueinternational.org/MLNA/mlna_articles.php?id=190#1325
MOROCCO
The Moroccan ‘Exception’ by Laila Lalami http://www.thenation.com/article/162967/moroccan-exception?rel=emailNation
PALESTINE
Gaza Update: Death Toll Climbs As Israel Attacks Continue – Report – By Julie Webb-Pullman In Gaza http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1108/S00322/gaza-update-death-toll-climbs-as-israel-attacks-continue.htm
Gaza: Why? The question my 11 year old son asks me, said Dr Al Sahbani By Julie Webb-Pullman In Gaza http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1108/S00322/gaza-update-death-toll-climbs-as-israel-attacks-continue.htm
Free Samer Allawi: Al-Jazeera Network demands Israeli authorities immediately release Samer Allawi, Al-Jazeera’s Afghanistan Bureau Chief. http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/spotlight/freesamerallawi/
How protests against Israel (and Flagman) saved lives in Gaza http://electronicintifada.net/blog/ali-abunimah/how-protests-against-israel-and-flagman-saved-lives-gaza
Gaza; 15 Palestinians Killed Due To Israeli Bombardment In 24 Hours http://www.imemc.org/article/61858
Egypt withdraws ambassador from Israel http://tinyurl.com/3srco6v
Special Report: 10 Discriminatory Laws (June 2010) http://www.adalah.org/eng/10.php
Arab spouses face Israeli legal purge http://news.scotsman.com/world/Arab-spouses-face-Israeli-legal.2775379.jp
Tears of Gaza
Dropping the last mask of democracy http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article2248
SYRIA
Syria’s Assad on the Ropes? http://www.thenation.com/article/162971/syrias-assad-ropes?rel=emailNation
UK
England riots: Prison governors warned over inmates http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14598021
USA
Is the SEC Covering Up Wall Street Crimes? A whistle-blower claims that over the past two decades, the agency has destroyed records of thousands of investigations, whitewashing the files of some of the nation’s worst financial criminals. BY MATT TAIBBI http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/is-the-sec-covering-up-wall-street-crimes-20110817
Jon Stewart Does Obama’s Job for Him http://www.thenation.com/blog/162872/jon-stewart-does-obamas-job-him
Rupert Murdoch’s American Scandal http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/rupert-murdochs-american-scandals-20110803
George Jackson – 40 year commemoration – Video http://vimeo.com/27870164
VIETNAM
Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin: ‘Agent Orange in Vietnam was a crime against humanity’ http://links.org.au/node/2457
OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS
VISIT CUBA THIS SUMMER
Cuba consistently makes the news: whether it is it’s health care system (see Salud or Sicko), its response to its oil crisis, its environmental programmes, or by remaining a political opponent of US imperialism for forty years. At the moment it is fundamentally revamping its economy and administration system, while remaining true to the spirit of socialism. It is also the home of salsa and its music is world renowned. Registrations are open for the 27th Southern Cross Brigade to Cuba. Members of the Brigade, which is made up of Australians and New Zealanders, spend approximately four weeks in Cuba, leaving 27th December and returning 24th January. The Brigade stays in the Julio Mella International Camp and the time there co-incides with visits by Brigades from the Nordic countries and South America, which gives an excellent opportunity for dialogue. The programme is varied and includes social occasions, dance lessons, cultural events, talks by community groups e.g. the Womens’ Federation, visits to schools, hospitals and trade unions, resorts and national parks, as well as free time in Havana. Some voluntary work is included in the programme. Brigade members with a special interest in an area can usually be provided for. The trip is suitable for people of any age group. Children are welcome and an 85 year old has coped well. While some knowledge of Spanish is useful, an interpreter is always on hand. As an initial introduction to Cuban society and Cuban people the Brigade is an excellent opportunity to quickly gain insight into this unique country and to express solidarity. The all up cost is $5500, including airfare, spending money and all accommodation and meals. Members of the Brigade often stay longer in Cuba as private travelers or move onto other countries in the region. For further enquiries and registration e- mail Ina at inashina or Paul at wkcultur; (03 732 4010).
PLEASE SIGN ONLINE PETITION AGAINST TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
This was originally going to close on July 4th, but it’s built up momentum, so it seemed a shame to stop it now. More and more of the disastrous implications of the TPPA are making themselves obvious. The new cutoff date (which won’t be extended again) is November 1st. So please sign it now (if you haven’t already done so). And if you’ve got a hard copy of it, please post it to New Zealand Not For Sale Campaign, Box 2258, Christchurch 8140. We urge you to circulate and publicise the petition, online and hard copy, through your organisations and networks. Murray Horton, Convenor, New Zealand Not For Sale Campaign, Box 2258, Christchurch 8140. nznot4sale www.nznotforsale.org
Petition:
We the undersigned citizens and permanent residents of New Zealand call upon the Government of New Zealand.
• to cease negotiations on the Transpacific Partnership agreement; and
• to not sign this agreement; and
• to cease work on any other in-progress or proposed international trade and investment treaties containing clauses which limit or abrogate New Zealand’s sovereign and democratic right to make and enforce laws and regulations and provide services which differ from those of other states or transnational organisations.
NOMINATIONS CALLED FOR ROGER AWARD
Nominations are now open for the 2011 Roger Award for the Worst Transnational Corporation Operating in Aotearoa/New Zealand. All details are on the nomination form, which is online at our Website. Here are the links to it, in both Word and PDF.
http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/2011Nomination.doc
http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/2011Nomination.pdf
You can use it to send us your nomination/s, either electronically, or print it it, fill it in and post it to us at the below postal address. And please distribute it far and wide. Murray Horton, Secretary/Organiser, CAFCA, Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa. cafca
Please Join CAFCA’s Facebook Group & Follow Our Blog & On Twitter http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117427631610589&ref=ts
http://www.watchblogaotearoa.blogspot.com/ https://twitter.com/#!/NZN4S
ME RONGO 2011 PEACE CONGRESS INFORMATION, REGISTRATION AND INVITATION 7 TO 21 NOVEMBER 2011, REKOHU (CHATHAM ISLANDS)
This message is to let you know that information about the Me Rongo 2011 Peace Congress – ‘Peace, Sustainability and Respect for the Sacred’ – the registration form and draft programme are now available. Below is the welcome message from the Congress hosts, an outline of the purpose and vision of the Congress, and an invitation for peace to groups to present workshops at it. The document with more information, the registration details, draft programme and contact details for the organisers, is available as a pdf file at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/merongo01.pdf and as a Word document at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/merongo01.doc This message is available online at http://www.facebook.com/notes/peace-movement-aotearoa/me-rongo-2011-peace-congress-information-registration-and-invitation/195449993835711
GPJA's Blog 