GPJA #391: West Papua and Fiji Protests tomorrow!
September 6, 2011 Leave a comment
GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 391, September 6, 2011
EMERGENCY ACTION AROUND SOUTH PACIFIC FORUM
Wednesday, September 7, 8:30am, Outside the Cloud on Quay St, Downtown Auckland City (close to the Ferry Buildings)
West Papua – Demonstration. The Pacific Island Forum leaders must not overlook the human rights tragedy in West Papua. Indigenous people are close to becoming a minority in their own land. They have endured 48 years of oppressive military rule, the exploitation of their forests and mineral resources as well as torture, killings and displacement. Organised by the Indonesian Human Rights Group
Wednesday, September 7, 12pm (meet from 11:30am), Corner of Karangahape Rd and Queen St – and march down to Sky City.
Fiji Protest: Organised by the Fiji Democracy and Freedom Movement New Zealand (FDFM NZ), NZ Council of Trade Unions & Amnesty International
Wednesday, September 7, 11:45am to 1:00pm, Hotel Grand Chancellor, 1 Hobson St, Auckland (Bridgeway Room)
Seminar – Fiji Poll : Fiji at Home and in the World. Speakers/Panelists: Jenny Hayward-Jones – Program Director, Lowy Institute Melanesia Program; Shamima Ali- Director, Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre; Sitiveni Halapua – Co-Director, PIDP East-West Centre & Tongan Member of Parliament; Michael Field – Journalist. Organised by the Lowy Institute for International Policy
Saturday, September 17, 4:30pm to 6:00pm, Westpac Stadium, 147 Waterloo Quay, Wellington
Fiji Demonstration: Handing out of leaflets and armbands before the Fiji-South Africa rugby game. Organised by the NZ Council of Trade Unions
S’BU ZIKODE FROM SOUTH AFRICAN SHACKDWELLERS ORGANISATION SPEAKS
SEPTEMBER 11: 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF SPRINGBOK TOUR PROTESTS (Please pass the word around)
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 have refined the plans for the day which will go like this:
12noon – Gather at the Walters Road entrance to Eden Park for a walk around the park to scenes of the 81 battles… (bring old flags, banners, placards, flour bombs…)
1.00pm – Walk to Mt Eden War Memorial Hall (Dominion Road opposite Potters Park)
Lunch provided – gold coin koha please to cover costs
1.30pm – Welcome and address from special guest S’bu Zikode from the South African shackdwellers organisation Abahlali baseMjondolo
2.00pm – Dear Mandela video of life for the shackdwellers 17 years after the ANC was elected to power.
2.20pm – Marshalls from Biko, Patu and Tutu Squads to share a few memories.
2.40pm – special operations stories – Moir’s hill, Margaret’s birthday, harbour bridge, Waiatarua, plane jacking, Southern motorway…
3.00pm – Remembering those who have passed on (eg Tom Newnham, Tom Poata, Terry Dibble, Syd Jackson, Hana Jackson, Heta Te Hemara, Merata Mita, Sophie Stockman, Neil Roberts, Mark Allen, Pat McQuarrie etc)
3.10pm – Auction of several new copies of Tom Newnham’s book By Batons and Barbed Wire donated by the family as a fundraiser. Auctioneer: Dick Cuthbert.
3.20pm – Screening of Merata Mita’s film Patu.
5.00pm – Wind up
The famous Reel Pictures photo exhibition from the tour will be on display and our own renowned protest photographer John Miller will show a powerpoint presentation from the protests. This is an afternoon that comes up just once every 30 years – not to be missed.
Regards, John Minto, 4 Ethel Street, Morningside, Auckland. Ph (09) 8463173
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
AUSA HUMAN RIGHTS WEEK AT AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY
AUSA PRESENTS Human Rights Week 2011 Te Wiki o te Mana Tangata. AUSA Human Rights Week 2011 will put the spotlight on what’s been done in the fight for respect of people’s human rights around the world and here in NZ. There are two pillars to the event:
– The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml : The UDHR is the world’s most translated document and represents the widest worldwide consensus on human rights that has ever been achieved. Every event and display this week will focus on action in support of the realization of one or more of the rights described in this document.
– Action: What can we *do* to see that our rights and the rights of all people are respected? Every event and display this week will focus on action students can take to see human rights more respected around the world. Find out more about Human Rights Week here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=261476933865086
Monday 12 September: Thinking Matters Presents: "FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN A SECULAR SOCIETY"
Tuesday 13 September: AUSA Presents: DOUBLE FILM NIGHT: Courage Unfolds and Operation 8 – 6 PM Eng 3.401. Find out more about the event here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=277147725634023
Wednesday 14 September: Human Rights Expo 11-2PM The Quad. Find out more about Human Rights Expo here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=220135984702402
AUSA & UN Youth Present: HUMAN RIGHTS DEBATE: An all-star lineup of all your favourite humanities lecturers from the University of Auckland discuss “Humanitarian Intervention is a tool to impose non-universal standards on human rights.” 6.30 PM Library Basement B15. Featuring: Mohsen al Attar (Law) | Anita Lacey (Politics) | Tim Dare (Philosophy) v Kris Gledhill (Law) | Rhema Vaithianathan (Economics) | Corey Wallace (Politics)
Find out more about the event here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=204659562926785
Thursday 15 September: The Reason And Science Society Presents a discussion: WHAT ARE HUMAN RIGHTS AND SHOULD WE WANT THEM?
By Tim Dare of the Philosophy Department. 5 PM Seminar room G25, Clock Tower East Wing RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=123478771083553
Amnesty on Campus & SJP Present: What about Palestinian Human Rights? – A Panel Discussion. Margaret Taylor (Amnesty International) | Tuma Hazou (Journalist) | Harmeet Sooden (Freedom Flotilla activist). 6.30 PM Engineering Room E.3403 RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=260051864015100
Friday 16 September: HUNGER BANQUET – Join us for a delicious, fun, thought-provoking end to human rights week. Entry tickets are just $2 but as in real life not all guests are guaranteed a full 3-course meal…. 6.30PM Cap & Gown Lounge. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169783093097661 For more information contact the organizers Ben Smith (022 685 4105) and Dan Haines (021 0258 6355).
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:
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/
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/48372
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
WHAT’S ON
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
Sunday, September 11, 2pm, Avon Riverbank just south of the munted Medway Street Bridge, Christchurch
RIVERSIDE RALLY: Riverside Community Group in east Richmond is calling for a mass rally. We will not accept the offers from CERA or Insurance Companies until: 1. Insurance companies honour Full Replacement policies for homes that are due for demolition in the red zone; 2. RVs are reviewed where there is significant and demonstrable undervaluation; 3. Measures are taken to improve availability and affordability of relocation options so that home owners can move on without losing equity or increasing their debt burden; 4. There is certainty and clarity about the future use of the red zone lands. Please support us – bring your own placards and banners! In order to progress the organisation of this rally I need a number of helpers to organise placards, banners, flags, bunting, bbq, etc – please meet at 3 Lois Place at 10am Saturday 10 September if you can help in any way! Thanks. We would hope to see further rallies organised in Christchurch and Waimakariri in the future on similar themes until these issues are addressed. If you have any further questions relating to the rally please do not hesitate to get in touch. Best regards, Evan Smith, Riverside 029 739 9796
Monday, September 12, 7.30pm, Peace Place, 22 Emily Place, Auckland City.
Films at the Peace Palace …exploring creative artists’ response to war:
Grand Illusion (1937); Director: Jean Renoir; Runtime: 114 min. Black & White. Admission: by Koha / donation (Please post this to friends, on Mail Lists, Notice Boards etc) See also: http://thepeaceplace.wordpress.com/
Tuesday, September 13, 6:30pm, Eng3.401. Department of Engineering, Symonds St, University of Auckland
Operation 8: Deep in the Forest – Screening for Auckland University Human Rights Week. On October 15th 2007, activists around New Zealand woke to guns in their faces. Black-clad police smashed down doors, dragging families out onto roads and detaining some without food or water. In the village of Ruatoki, helicopters hovered while locals were stopped at roadblocks. Operation 8 involved 18 months of invasive surveillance of Maori sovereignty and peace activists accused of attending terrorist training camps in the Urewera ranges – homeland of the Tuhoe people. Operation 8 asks why and how the raids took place. How did the War on Terror become a global witch-hunt of political dissenters reaching even to the South Pacific? Screening will be followed by Q&A with guest speakers. Collection will be taken to support the October 15 Solidarity Fund. Screened as part of AUSA’s Human Rights Week.
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)
Thursday, Friday September 15–16, City Campus Conference Centre WA220,WA224 A & B Wellesley Campus, Auckland University of Technology Wellesley Street, Auckland CBD
JOURNALISM, MEDIA and DEMOCRACY CONFERENCE: All Attendees Welcome. Conference Website, Programme and Electronic Registration w.hope Centre for Journalism, Media and Democracy School of Communication Studies Auckland University of Technology.
OVERVIEW: The Political Economy of Communication is a research field that deserves wider recognition. It has identified a deepening symbiosis between capitalism and communication. Convergences across mass media, telecommunication and computer technologies have opened up new sectors of production and profit realisation. These same technologies also shape the networks of finance, production, symbolic representation and consumer culture. Such developments have generated concerns about regulation, cultural expression, ideological obfuscation and communication rights. Meanwhile, evolving information and communication technologies directly facilitate local–global activism against prevailing relations of power.
To consider such themes we have invited an array of established and aspiring researchers. Our keynote speakers Graham Murdock, Dwayne Winseck and Janet Wasko are not only distinguished scholars in the political economy of communication; they have given identity and purpose to the field. However, this is not merely a forum for specialist media academics. Many of the issues that will be discussed here have wide public relevance – nationally and internationally. Such issues include the defunding on TVNZ’s digital channels, local encroachments of the Murdoch empire, Hollywood and Wellywood, the surveillant capabilities of Facebook, child literacy, world food prices and global warming. We anticipate that animated discussion concerning the political economy of communication will extend beyond lecture/seminar rooms toward local bars and restaurants.
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
Thursday, October 20, 6.30-8.30pm, Academy Cinema, Lorne St, below Auckland City Library.
Strange Birds in Paradise – a West Papuan story. From the Act of Free Choice to the random sanctioning by the Indonesian military today- West Papua still under siege. And it is happening under our own eyes. A great chance here to hear the story of the people themselves. While the Indonesian army continues to dominate the indigenous inhabitants of West Papua, three friends gather in Melbourne to record outlawed folk songs with renowned Australian rock musicologist. A combined event organised by the Auckland-based Indonesian Human Rights Committee, Amnesty International and AUT’s Pacific Media Centre. Map: www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/contact Strange Birds in Paradise website http://www.strangebirds.com.au/
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
“We need to grow out of the selfish, sordid, brutal spirit of individualism which still lurks even in Socialists and is responsible for the strife and contention which prevail where there should be concord and good will. The social spirit and the social conscience must be developed and govern our social relations before we shall have any social revolution.” The Social Spirit, Eugene Debs 1915 http://rustbeltradical.wordpress.com/2011/07/02/the-social-spirit/
“No business which depends for existence on paying less than living wages to its workers has any right to continue in this country. By living wages I mean more than a bare subsistence level–I mean the wages of decent living.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
“If any man tells you he loves America, yet hates labor, he is a liar. If any man tells you he trusts America, yet fears labor, he is a fool.” – Abraham Lincoln
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living in society, they create for themselves, in the course of time, a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it." – Frederic Bastiat, (1801-1850) French economist, statesman, and author
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Tapu Misa: Cuts hurt kids instead of making parents work http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10749417
Thank tha police… Tiki charges dropped http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10749466
Poverty-related child hospital admissions climb http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/83739/poverty-related-child-hospital-admissions-climb
New working classes By Simon Collins http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10747700
Child poverty in New Zealand http://tumeke.blogspot.com/2011/08/child-poverty-in-new-zealand.html
NZ IN AFGHANISTAN
Release of Nicky Hager’s new book: Other People’s Wars: New Zealand in Afghanistan, Iraq and the war on terror http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1109/S00013/release-of-nicky-hagers-new-book-other-peoples-wars.htm
SST: US played dirty: Apiata claims
Derek Cheng (NZH): Hager: Our spies cogs in US war on terror
Anthony Hubbard (SST): A decade on, it’s time to quit
Fran O’Sullivan (NZH): Bluster won’t bury Hager’s revelations on military
Matt McCarten (NZH): Muckraker reveals sad truths about system
Chris Ford (Voxy): Nicky Hager Disclosures Show Our Military Is A State Within The State
The Dim-Post: Other People’s Wars: Hager’s thesis
The Dim-Post: Other People’s Wars: repeating my point
Kiwi base ‘hid CIA’, Hager book claims http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5546295/Kiwi-base-hid-CIA-Hager-book-claims
NZ military kept closer ties with US secret – Hager http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10748785
‘Candyfloss’ PR exposed in all its cynicism http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10748909
Steve price: Other Peoples Wars http://www.medialawjournal.co.nz/?p=498
Gordon Campbell: On Nicky Hager’s new book http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/09/02/gordon-campbell-on-nicky-hager%E2%80%99s-new-book/
John Armstrong (NZH): ‘Kiwi Camp’ a CIA base – Hager
Vernon Small and Tracy Watkins (Stuff): Kiwi base ‘hid CIA’, Hager book claims
Lloyd Burr (TV3): Hager’s book analyses NZ role in ‘war on terror’
Keith Ng (Public Address): Other People’s Wars
No Right Turn: Our rogue establishment
Nicky Hager: Other People’s Wars
EVERY CHILD COUNTS REPORT
TVNZ/Newstalk ZB: Poverty report prompts call to put children first
Yvonne Tahana (NZH): NZ’s brown poverty ‘a timebomb’
Auckland Now: Kids victims of ‘brown underclass’
3 News / RadioLIVE: Children suffer when parents are poor – report
RNZ: Closing gaps policy doesn’t work – report
NZ ECONOMY
US attempts to steer NZ drug regulation http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/10141642/us-attempts-to-steer-nz-drug-regulation/
Jane Kelsey: Human Rights Commission rejection of Trans-Pacific Partnership audit latest blow to democratic process http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1109/S00059/human-rights-commission-rejection-of-tpp-audit-latest-blow.htm
Government has Choices on Earthquake Finances http://union.org.nz/news/2011/government-has-choices-earthquake-finances
John Tamihere: Workers the real heroes http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-news/opinion/5560546/Workers-the-real-heroes
Third World NZ: http://thestandard.org.nz/third-world-nz/
Cost of essentials outstrips wages http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/5558156/Cost-of-essentials-outstrips-wages
NZIER makes grim prediction for economy http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/nzier-makes-grim-prediction-economy-4378782
Gareth Morgan: Reviving values of an egalitarian society http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10748261
NZ WORK RIGHTS
Support sought for aged care charter http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/5559708/Support-sought-for-aged-care-charter
SkyCity gambles with health of staff http://labour.org.nz/news/skycity-gambles-with-health-of-staff
DOC job cuts will impact regional economies and conservation protection to communities http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/doc-job-cuts-will-impact-regional-economies/5/100613
Housing New Zealand proposal poses dangers for staff http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/10176083/housing-nz-proposal-poses-dangers-for-staff-psa/
Gordon Campbell: On workplace deaths, and Italy’s threat to Europe http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/09/06/gordon-campbell-workplace-deaths-italy%E2%80%99s-threat-to-europe/
That’s my mum you’re hurting, PM told http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5529022/Thats-my-mum-you-re-hurting-PM-told
MANA MOVEMENT
An answer for almost everything http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/175980/answer-almost-everything
Vote Chat 2011 – At home with Hone http://mydeology.co.nz/2011/09/vote-chat-2011-at-home-with-hone/
Hone Harawira visits Otago University http://www.ch9.co.nz/content/hone-harawira-visits-otago-university
CULTURAL DISSENT
Evolution not ‘reinvention’: Manning Marable’s Malcolm X http://links.org.au/node/2479
These Are My Heroes – Harlan County USA – Video Documentary: Least we think that America was built by the starched shirts and expensive suits featured on FOX News and CNN. This documentary will help to remind us that our freedoms and working conditions were not won by U.S. soldiers in foreign lands but through the suffering and sweat of our fathers and grand fathers in their struggle against commercial interests.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article13730.htm
The Ghost Of Tom Joad By Bruce Springsteen: "Now Tom said "Mom, wherever there’s a cop beatin’ a guy, Wherever a hungry newborn baby cries
Where there’s a fight against the blood and hatred in the air, Look for me mom I’ll be there" Video and lyrics http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29034.htm
FEATURES
"Was War the Only Answer to 9/11? By Noam Chomsky – "The jihadi movement could have been split and undermined after 9/11 if the ‘crime against humanity’ had been approached as a crime." http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29040.htm
Lies We Still Tell Ourselves about 9/11 By Robert Fisk – We still haven’t told the truth about the crime which – we are supposed to believe – "changed the world for ever". Mind you, after watching Obama on his knees before Netanyahu last May, I’m really not surprised. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29027.htm
Hegemonic Powers Show Extreme Contempt For Democracy By Noam Chomsky – Governments acting in ways they know will increase terrorism.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29000.htm
How US firms profited from torture: Court documents illustrate how US contracted out secret rendition transportation to a network of private companies http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/31/us-firms-torture-flights-rendition
LAND, LABOUR AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Tar-sands protests go global http://www.grist.org/climate-change/2011-09-01-tar-sands-protests-go-global
John Bellamy Foster: The ecology of Marxian political economy http://links.org.au/node/2474
famine: Less land, more hunger http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22741
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan: in the hands of the Taliban: While Nato insists the insurgents are on the defensive and progress is being achieved, the reality is that Afghanistan stands on the edge of collapse. http://mondediplo.com/blogs/afghanistan-in-the-hands-of-the-taliban
AUSTRALIA
Book now: Climate Change Social Change, Melbourne Sep 30-Oct 3 http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48372
Serco unfit to run centres, say workers http://www.smh.com.au/national/serco-unfit-to-run-centres-say-workers-20110903-1jreq.html
Union criticises Christmas Island detention centre operator http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/connectasia/stories/201109/s3310334.htm
CANADA
Québec Solidaire: A Québécois approach to building a broad left party http://links.org.au/node/2473
Worker Power in an Age of Uneven Austerity http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/541.php
Farmers seek defenses against the giants of agribusiness http://johnriddell.wordpress.com/2011/09/05/farmers-seek-defenses-against-the-giants-of-agribusiness/
CUBA
Cuba Has Already Suffered Capitalism http://www.walterlippmann.com/docs3266.html
HAITI
Is this Minustah’s ‘Abu Ghraib moment’ in Haiti? Shock video of UN soldiers apparently raping a Haitian teenager raises questions about why these ‘peacekeepers’ are there at all http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/sep/03/minustah-un-haiti-abuse
Garry Conille: The Neo-Liberal Pedigree of Haiti Latest Prime Minister Nominee http://www.haiti-liberte.com/archives/volume5-7/The%20Neo-Liberal.asp
INDIA
Jan Lokpal Bill Is Very Regressive: Arundhati Roy Sagarika Ghose Interviews Arundhati Roy http://www.countercurrents.org/roy310811.htm
Kashmir : Worlds Most Dangerous Border By Eric Margolis – The state human rights commission of the Indian-ruled portion of Kashmir reported its investigators had found 2,156 bodies buried in unmarked graves in 38 locations. Most were young men. Many bore bullets wounds. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29032.htm
JAPAN
What happened at Fukushima? http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22732
Our urgent demands to the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Company regarding the Fukushima Daiichi power plant nuclear accidents http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22730
The Hidden Face of Disaster: 3.11, the Historical Structure and Future of Japan’s Northeast http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22731
KOREA
The Arms Race Intrudes on Paradise http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22752
Back to the Future: Korean Anti-Base Resistance from Jeju Island to Pyeongtaek http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22751
LEBANON
LIBYA
Black migrants now live in fear in Libya: Rebels suspect the young men of being mercenaries for Kadafi. But the terrified sub-Saharans say they were merely laborers. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-libya-migrants-20110902,0,3249340.story
Files Note Close C.I.A. Ties to Qaddafi Spy Unit http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/03/world/africa/03libya.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=LIbya%20CIA&st=cse
Can the joy last? As the first flush of liberation begins to fade, differences between the new rulers may soon begin to widen http://www.economist.com/node/21528299
Richard Seymour: Libya — All they are saying is give war a chance http://links.org.au/node/2476
PACIFIC
5 troublesome ?real? challenges for island countries http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/09/five-troublesome-real-challenges-for-forum-island-countries/
Human and trade union rights on trial in Fiji today http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1109/S00044/human-and-trade-union-rights-on-trial-in-fiji-today.htm
PALESTINE
Why the Palmer-Uribe report on Israel’s flotilla attack is worthless http://electronicintifada.net/blog/ali-abunimah/why-palmer-uribe-report-israels-flotilla-attack-worthless
Time for Israeli Social Protest to Make Political Choices, End Illusion of National Unity http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22763
450,000 Israelis Take to the Streets Demanding Social Justice http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22762
Turkey to challenge Gaza blockade at International Court of Justice http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/03/turkey-challenge-israel-gaza-blockade
SPAIN
“What has happened since 15 M has favoured the politicization of society and the opening of new spaces for self-organization and participation” http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22726
SRI LANKA
Protest against repression in the FTZ http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22748
SYRIA
Interview with the Local Coordination Committees of Syria (audio) http://links.org.au/node/2478
A revolution on the march http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22760
UK
London Protesters Disrupt Israeli Orchestra’s Concert http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/03/world/europe/03london.html
BBC Proms protest: peaceful disruption versus Israeli destruction
USA
Where Pay for Chiefs Outstrips U.S. Taxes http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/31/business/where-pay-for-chief-executives-tops-the-company-tax-burden.html?_r=1&hp
Remembering Attica, 40 years Later http://blackagendareport.com/content/remembering-attica-40-years-later
Attica Prison Riot – William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe . POV on PBS
ATTICA (1980) Morgan Freeman
The case of the US jobless recovery http://www.voxeu.org/index.php?q=node/6896
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 