GPJA #395: Sat – March & Rally against poverty & exclusion

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 395, September 29, 2011

SATURDAY: MARCH AND RALLY AGAINST POVERTY AND EXCLUSION
Saturday, October 1, 10am, QE2 Square (Britomart), March up!! Queen Street to Aotea Square
THE REAL AOTEAROA (NZ) NAU MAI… HAERE MAI. Kaupapa (Purpose): This is a chance to involve as many social justice groups as possible, where the people of Aotearoa (NZ) can bring their issues, and address it to the world and to remind the world, the injustices of, Oil Drilling, Mining, Rising of GST, High food prices, Benefit cuts, Stealing Maori land, Poverty, Kaipara Turbines and Student & Workers rights that this NZ GOVT has done, and is still doing today, to the people of Aotearoa (NZ). 10.00amMobilise at QE2 Square (Britomart); 11.00am March up!! Queen Street to Aotea Square. Stop along the way for a moment of silence. 12.00pm -1.00pm Assemble at Aotea Square. Speakers from different groups or movements to speak. Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=233418306710580

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA! JOIN THE 29TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN CROSS WORK-STUDY TOUR TO CUBA
Organised by the New Zealand – Australia Cuba Friendship Society 28 Dec 2011 to 20 Jan 2012. Be more than just a tourist join the 29th Southern Cross Work-Study Tour and support Cuba in the most direct manner by working alongside Cubans for a few days picking fruit, pruning or planting fruit trees or slashing grass and then visiting schools, hospitals, cultural sites & urban agriculture projects, etc. You’ll experience at first hand the cultural, political and social conditions in socialist Cuba. This year’s program will give participants an opportunity to celebrate the 51st anniversary of ICAP & gain an insight into how the Cuban people have triumphed over adversity to keep the revolution strong. For more information about the 29th Contingent of the Southern Cross Brigade visit the Brigade Webpage , email us or call 027 226 9950.

PETITION – STOP THE PERSECUTION OF RENÉ GONZÁLEZ: LET HIM RETURN TO CUBA!
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: René González is one of the “Cuban Five” prisoners who have now spent 13 years in U.S. prisons, having been falsely labeled as “spies,” unjustly convicted in the anti-Cuban environment of Miami, and condemned to long terms in prison, all for the “crime” of fighting terrorism by infiltrating Miami-based terrorist groups to expose their continuing terrorist plots against Cuba. González will be the first of the Five to be released from prison on October 7, and, in a measure that can only be described as vindictive, the U.S. government wants to force him to spend his three years on probation in the United States, where he has no family, rather than allowing him to return to Cuba. http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-persecution-of-ren-gonzlez-let-him-return-to-cuba

Email President Obama and Demand René Gonzalez be returned to CUBA! http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

AMNESTY’S SECRETARY GENERAL TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND
On Monday 3 October Amnesty International’s Secretary General Salil Shetty will visit New Zealand as part of the organisation’s 50th birthday celebrations. While in the country, Salil will meet with New Zealand members of parliament and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to discuss the human rights situation in the country and the rest of the Pacific to ensure human rights are at the forefront of the country’s 26 November General Election agenda.

As Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand seeks to prioritise its engagement in the Pacific, Salil will also be meeting with several Pacific Human Rights Defenders to determine how the organisation can strengthen its campaigns in the Region and support local organisations in their work to promote and protect human rights. Salil will also be speaking at two public engagements on how Amnesty has grown as an organisation over the past five decades and how the New Zealand public can continue to contribute to positive human rights change in the next 50 years.

A long term activist on poverty and justice, Salil Shetty joined Amnesty International in July 2010 and, as Secretary General, leads Amnesty International’s worldwide work to end grave human rights violations. He is the organisation’s chief political adviser, strategist and spokesperson and takes Amnesty International’s campaigns to the highest level of government, the United Nations and business. Salil has ambitious plans to strengthen Amnesty International’s work in the global south and Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand’s Chief Executive Patrick Holmes says his visit reinforces how important it is to recognise the leadership role New Zealand can play in seeing this become a reality.

“New Zealand is one of only two Pacific sections in the Amnesty International movement and we have a powerful role to play in supporting those who speak out on human rights issues and those who don’t have a voice to be heard,” says Holmes.

“Amnesty International is pleased to welcome Salil Shetty to New Zealand and we would encourage the New Zealand public to hear him speak.”

EVENTS: Salil Shetty will be speaking at two public meetings to be held in Auckland and Wellington in the first week of October.

Auckland: Monday 3 October- 6:30pm to 7:30pm, Lecture Theatre 4, Owen G Glenn Building, Business School of the University of Auckland, 12 Grafton Road, Auckland. Contact: RSVP to Renee Moore- campaigns.intern

Wellington: Tuesday 4 October- 1.00pm to 2.00pm, Spectrum Presentation Theatre, Ground floor BP House, 20 Customhouse Quay, Wellington. Contact: RSVP to Renee Moore- campaigns.intern
BACKGROUND: Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand has published campaign digests which provide further information on the two strands of our Election Campaign and our recommendations: Make Rights Real and Champion Human Rights in the Pacific. Click on the following links to view the digests: anita.harvey

WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST JANUARY 20-22, 2012
The Waihopai spybase was subjected to unprecedented public attention by the March 2010 trial and acquittal of the three Ploughshares peace activists who penetrated its high security in 2008 and deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. This legal saga has continued into 2011 with the Government changing the law to prevent their grounds of defence being used again and then suing the three activists personally for the $1.2 million damage to the dome. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity, from start to finish.

The public face of New Zealand’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealand’s most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control.
First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes intercept a huge volume of civilian telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international civilian communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls. Post- 9/11 the GCSB and Waihopai now spy further afield, to those regions where the US is waging wars. The codename for this – Echelon – has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, not citizens.

Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires.

How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head.

Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in America’s wars. Waihopai must be closed. Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch. E-mail cafca www.converge.org.nz/abc $40 Registration ($20 unwaged). Make all cheques to ABC

OPERATION 8: DEEP IN THE FOREST
There are opportunities around the country to see the ‘Operation 8’ documentary. The film is now also available on DVD. Have a look in your local DVD store for a copy. For more information see http://cutcutcut.com/Operation8.html

FOREIGN CONTROL WATCHDOG 127 AUGUST 2011
TPPA: Are We There Yet? No, And Hopefully Never Will Be by Murray Horton
What Star-Struck NZ Journos Didn’t Tell Us About U.S. And TPPA by Jane Kelsey
TPPA And The Democratic Deficit by Bill Rosenberg
Trade Deal Threatens Alcohol Reform And Democracy by Viola Palmer
Earthquake Update by Murray Horton
Political Quake Behind Christchurch Rebuild by Fiona Farrell
A Risky Business: Or, How Insurance Companies (And Friends) Rule The World by Liz Gordon
Food, Crisis, And The Global Economy: Countering NZ’s Corporate Bonding by Dennis Small
Don Brash – The Brown Man’s Burden by John Minto
Back To The Future: Small Communities Point The Way? by Maire Leadbeater
Reviews by Jeremy Agar – Operation 8 A Film by Errol Wright and Abi King-Jones – Ill Fares The Land by Tony Judt – A History Of The World Since 9/11 by Dominic Streatfield –
Biggest Ever Donations To CAFCA & The Organiser Thank You, Ron Resnick by Murray Horton
Please Sign Petition Against Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
Postcards Opposing Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement Available To Send To Politicians

WHAT’S ON

Friday, September 30, 6.30pm, OGGB4, Owen G. Glenn Building, University Of Auckland
AUSA International Affairs Presents the FIRST ANNUAL Foreign Affairs Political Forum with Maryan Street (MP, Labour Party; Foreign Affairs Spokesperson); Keith Locke (MP, Green Party, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson); John Minto (Mana Party Manakau East Candidate and NZ’s best known human rights activist); Aaron Galey-Young (United Future Auckland Central Candidate); David Seymour (Act Party Auckland Central Candidate). And we will hold a seat for any National list candidate who would like to join us! Challenge your future and current MPs the tough questions about New Zealand’s foreign affairs policy. You get to vote but once every 3 years and now is the time to tell future MPs what you want for New Zealand. Are we doing enough to end extreme poverty? What has disbanding NZAid achieved? Should NZ vote for a State of Palestine in the UN? Is it time to bring our troops home from Afghanistan and East Timor, or are they doing a superb job? What about our free trade deals with the US and India – what benefits will they bring to New Zealand, and will the deals support sweat shops? What about democracy in the Pacific – in Fiji, West Papua, East Timor, and other nations? These questions and more will be addressed, and there will also be a time for questions from the audience. We have requested the attendance of several National Party MPs and all have been too busy to join us. We maintain an open invitation for any who wish to make an entrance to represent their party’s position on these crucial issues!

Saturday, October 1, 10am, QE2 Square (Britomart), March up!! Queen Street to Aotea Square
THE REAL AOTEAROA (NZ) NAU MAI… HAERE MAI. Kaupapa (Purpose): This is a chance to involve as many social justice groups as possible, where the people of Aotearoa (NZ) can bring their issues, and address it to the world and to remind the world, the injustices of, Oil Drilling, Mining, Rising of GST, High food prices, Benefit cuts, Stealing Maori land, Poverty, Kaipara Turbines and Student & Workers rights that this NZ GOVT has done, and is still doing today, to the people of Aotearoa (NZ). 10.00amMobilise at QE2 Square (Britomart); 11.00am March up!! Queen Street to Aotea Square. Stop along the way for a moment of silence. 12.00pm -1.00pm Assemble at Aotea Square. Speakers from different groups or movements to speak. Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=233418306710580

Saturday, October 1, 2pm, QE2 Square, Downtown, Auckland
Auckland rally for justice and peace in Palestine: callout by NZ Palestine Human Rights Campaign. We rally on the first Saturday of every month.

Next rally – 2pm this Saturday, 1 October 2011.
QE2 Square
, Customs St and Queen St intersection
 (outside Downtown shopping centre). Come support justice and peace based on: Ending 44 years of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip (including East Jerusalem); Ensuring the right of return for Palestinianrefugees; Sharing Jerusalem; Vacating all settlementcolonies in Israelioccupied Palestine; Dismantling Israel’s annexation/apartheid wallin occupied Palestine.

Sunday, October 2, 5.30 (for 6), Penthouse, Brooklyn, Wellington
A romantic comedy/fantasy written and directed by Woody Allen. The plot centers on a small group of Americans visiting the French capital for business and pleasure. The protagonist, a screenwriter, is forced to confront the shortcomings of his relationship with his fiancée and their divergent goals because of his magical experiences in the city beginning each night at midnight. Stars Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams. Tickets $20 for the Campaign for MMP. Secure your tickets by making payment to the Campaign for MMP at 38-9010-0239972-00. Please include in the reference line your name and “Wellington movie”. Email rebecca.matthews427 with any questions.

Friday, October 7, 5.30pm-7.00pm, The Brewery (Cassels and Sons). Corner Garlands Road and Cumnor Terrace Woolston, Christchurch.
Farewell for Keith Locke MP. Please join us to to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Keith Locke MP as he farewells Parliament. At

With special guest : Keith Locke MP. Bar available. Nibbles provided. More information chchgreens or ph 372 1375. Hosted by the Aoraki Greens.

Saturday, October 8, 10am-4pm, St John’s Church, the corner of Willis Street & McDonald Crescent, Wellington
PEOPLE’S EXPO – organised by the W E A . – Come for 10 minutes or stay all day. 10 minutes or stay all day. Keynote address 11:00 a.m. Catherine Delahunty MP: ‘A Better World is Possible’. Live music and an open microphone. Forums and discussions throughout the day on a range of topics Including: becoming an activist, working inside and outside the system. Want to know what other people are doing? Got something to say? Get together with other people interested in a just and more equitable society. Live – Learn – PARTICIPATE – Organize – agitate – educate – Explore – discover – Share. THE WELLINGTON WEA INVITES YOU TO JOIN US FOR A DAY OF COMMUNITY ACTION & DISCUSSION. Organisations participating to date include: • Unions Wellington; P S A [Community Sector]; M M P Campaign; Peoples Centre; The Futures Trust; Freedom Shop; October 15th Raids Support Group; Tax Justice Campaign; Electoral Enrolment Centre; Residents Coalition; and probably a number of others e.g. Transition Towns Group; a Postal Workers campaign and many more. If your union/organisation wants to exhibit, there are tables still available (no charges) – For more information contact Victoria Quade Phone: 021 023 77 642 email: vntquade The Wellington Workers Educational Association is committed to the advancement, encouragement and provision of continuing and community education of adults that promotes a just and more equitable society which takes account of Te tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Monday, October 10, 5.30pm, Rialto Cinemas, 167 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland
Warm Heart of Africa Screening + Discussion with Mustafa Davis. The Muslim Youth Advisory Council presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to get up and personal with the well-known photographer and director, Mustafa Davis. Mustafa Davis is a well-known American photographer and film m

aker whose work is primarily based around issues in the Muslim and wider community. The Muslim Youth Advisory Council is proud to host him on his first ever ‘extended’ trip to New Zealand whilst on his South East Asia Tour! The “Warm Heart of Africa” takes you on a journey in Malawi and discusses the blunt and harsh reality of the HIV/AIDs epidemic in one of the worlds’ poorest countries. The screening will be followed by a discussion with Mustafa Davis himself. For more work by Mustafa Davis visit www.mustafadavis.com Ticket Prices: Adult – $15; Student/Child – $10. VERY LIMITED SEATING. To purchase a ticket please email myac.nz@gmail.com with your name and contact details or contact Fatima Ali – 0210309287 or Moshin Khan – 02102736240.

Wednesday, October 12, 6.30pm – 9pm, Room 018, Clock tower Bldg, 22 Princes St, Auckland University
The 2011 New Zealand Election: The Centre for Continuing Education brings you this seminar which will grapple with and address some of the big issues looming in the 2011 election. Speakers include: Lisa Chant: Maori Politics at the Crossroads; Rod Oram: Do or Die: Strategic challenges for the New Zealand economy; Jennifer Lees-Marshment: Playing the Political Marketing Game with principles as well as pragmatism? An assessment of National and Labour against international practice . Fee: $55: Student/ unwaged $35. E-mail: je.davies Web: www.cce.auckland.ac.nz

Thursday, October 13, 7.30pm, Canterbury WEA, 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch
The annual Lincoln Efford Memorial Lecture: The lignite plans of Solid Energy and why the coal must be kept in the ground – Jeanette Fitzsimons

All welcome! Any queries, please phone WEA, 366 0285; or email: cwea

Monday, October 17, 6pm to 7.30 pm, St Peter’s, Corner Willis and Ghuznee Street, Wellington
RESPONSE TO POVERTY IN WELLINGTON: Speakers: Stephanie McIntyre, Downtown Community Ministry; Brian Easton, Economist, Listener Columnist; Chair: Bishop Richard Randerson. More information: www.stpetersonwillis.org.nz

Thursday, October 20, 6pm, Academy Cinema, Lorne St, below Auckland City Library.
Strange Birds in Paradise: A must see Documentary. 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 David Bridie: Donny a recent exile to Australia, Jacob a former child soldier in the West Papuan Resistance Movement and Charlie Hill-Smith an Australian filmmaker who has formed close friendships with Melanesian & Javanese families he met as an exchange student. Afloat in an extraordinary musical tradition from the West Papuan highlands, hearing stories of escape, oppression and exile from Jacob and Donny, listening to the defiant songs of murdered musician and independence hero Arnold Ap, Charlie confronts a basic question: how could these two vibrant cultures be at war and how can the rest of the world seemingly not care? This film is his search for an answer. This is a joint event organised by Amnesty International, the Indonesian Human Rights Committee and the AUT Pacific Media Centre. Join us in the foyer for nibbles & drinks from 6pm onwards, learn more about the Human Rights issues affecting Papua and take action on behalf of Papuan activist Filep Karma, imprisoned in 2004 for raising the Morning Star flag. Tickets are available on event finder $20-00 marnilisa Map: www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/contact Strange Birds in Paradise website http://www.strangebirds.com.au/

Monday, October24, 2pm, Te Papa Museum, Wellington
“BREAD AND ROSES” – NEW VERSION: A new version of Gaylene Preston’s film Bread and Roses about the life of Sonja Davies has been compiled / cut by the National Film Studio. It is exactly the same film, but now made in a durable medium that will last. It will be launched on Monday 24 October – Labour weekend at Te Papa at 2 p.m. It is part of a retrospective of Gaylene’s films and she will be there to talk and discuss these in the theatrette from 1 p.m. onwards. The film itself is still 3 hours long.

Tuesday, October 25, 5.30pm, Lecture theatre 3, Rutherford House, Pipitea campus, Lambton Quay, Wellington.
A seminar: Sex, Lies and Pay Rates – Speakers: Catherine Delahunty – Green MP; Helen Kelly – NZCTU President; Lyndy McIntyre – Communication and Campaigns Advisor SFWU; Nicole Skews – Young Feminists’ Wellington Collective; Paul McKay – Manager Employment Relations Policy Business New Zealand; Susan Guthrie – Co author of “ The Big Kahuna”. Chaired By Christine Brookes – Wellington Improvisation Troupe. Hosted by the Pay Equity Challenge Coalition and the Women’s Studies Association, Wellington. http://payequity.wordpress.com/

Wednesday, October 26, 6.30pm, Maidment Theatre, Alfred Street, The University of Auckland
Bruce Jesson Lecture: Recreating full employment – Professor Paul Dalziel, AERU, Lincoln University. Bruce Jesson’s last book Only Their Purpose is Mad tracked the destructive impacts of what he termed “the open slather approach to economic reform”. Twenty years after the reforms, New Zealand still lives with the legacy of that period in the form of unemployment and poverty. The government’s response is to blame the social welfare system and to propose policy reforms that will take us along the same failed path of the 1990s. Bruce Jesson finished his book by arguing that “the challenge facing New Zealand is to redefine the role of the nation in the modern global economy”. He called for nation-building understood as “creating a cohesive society that can act internationally with some sense of purpose”. This lecture will address Jesson’s challenge. It aims to set out a concrete programme for nation-building built on strategies to recreate full employment. Paul Dalziel has been Professor of Economics at Lincoln University since 2002 and currently works full-time in the AERU research centre. His first research publication was an article on the 1984 Economic Summit Conference that began New Zealand’s decade of economic reforms. Since then he has produced more than 200 research publications on aspects of New Zealand economic and social policy. Paul is part of a multi-disciplinary research team involved in a five-year research programme on education employment linkages in New Zealand. He is President of the Australia and New Zealand Regional Science Association International and a Council member of its parent organisation, RSAI. In 2010, he was a member of the Welfare Justice group that acted as an alternative forum to the government’s Welfare Working Group.

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
“The crisis consists precisely in the fact that the old is dying and the new cannot be born; in this interregnum a great variety of morbid symptoms appear”- Antonio Gramsci
“We must move past indecision to action. If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight.” Martin Luther King Jr. delivered 4 April 1967, Riverside Church, New York City

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

On the latest SAS death in Afghanistan http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2011/09/29/gordon-campbell-on-the-latest-sas-death-in-afghanistan/

Killed soldier was caught in family feud http://www.3news.co.nz/Killed-SAS-soldier-was-caught-in-family-feud/tabid/309/articleID/227664/Default.aspx

Book Review: Nicky Hager’s “Other People’s Wars” http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1109/S00109/book-review-nicky-hagers-other-peoples-wars.htm

Mana calls for NZ troop withdrawal http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/mana-calls-nz-troop-withdrawal/5/102322

Students occupy university building http://www.nzherald.co.nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10754503&ref=mobile

Criminalising Dissent on Campuses

Cop brutality

Voluntary membership Bill passes; students not giving up http://www.odt.co.nz/campus/university-otago/179975/voluntary-membership-bill-passes-students-not-giving

Kia Ora Gaza Returns http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1109/S00343/kia-ora-gaza-returns.htm

Four Kiwis to break Gaza siege with aid convoy http://kiaoragaza.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/four-kiwis-to-break-gaza-siege-with-aid-convoy/

$50,000 Gaza Appeal: your dollars will send a Kiwi Team http://kiaoragaza.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/50000-gaza-appeal-your-dollars-will-send-a-kiwi-team/

McCully’s cautious response to Palestinian appeal http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1109/S00358/mccullys-cautious-response-to-palestinian-appeal.htm

MANA calls on Government to support UN recognition of Palestine http://mana.net.nz/press-releases/mana-calls-on-government-to-support-un-recognition-of-palestine/

NZEI joins with others to fight misuse of “National Standards” data http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1109/S00104/nzei-joins-fight-against-misuse-of-national-standards-data.htm

Matt McCarten: Bosses get abysmal ratings http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10754130

South Africa: Solidarity with Comrades in New Zealand http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1109/S00751/south-africa-solidarity-with-comrades-in-new-zealand.htm

VIDEO SURVEILLANCE LAW

Ex PM: ‘Fix it’ bill oppressive http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10755129

The pitfalls of rushed legislation http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/opinion/5699685/The-pitfalls-of-rushed-legislation

Dr Rodney Harrison: Why Govt plan to overrule top court is wrong http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10753685

NZ ECONOMY

Murray Horton, CAFCA, New Zealand Is Not For Sale http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Miscellaneous/NZNotForSale20.pdf

NZ WORK RIGHTS

NZNO Democracy network http://www.nznodemocracy.org.nz/

School support staff acknowledged for contribution to earthquake recovery http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/10341968/school-support-staff-acknowledged-for-contribution-to-earthquake-recovery/

PSA celebrates legal living wage for sleepover workers http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1109/S00402/psa-celebrates-legal-living-wage-for-sleepover-workers.htm

Jobs security a major concern in home support shake up http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1109/S00134/jobs-security-a-major-concern-in-home-support-shake-up.htm

Mothballing Northland rail line short sighted http://www.nzweek.com/newzealand-news/mothballing-northland-rail-line-short-sighted-4759/

MANA MOVEMENT

Vote Chat – Hone Harawira Part 1 of 5

Minto for Mana- Campaign launch in Otara http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/09/minto-for-mana-campaign-launch-in-otara.html

Annette Sykes standing in Waiariki electorate http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5705633/Annette-Sykes-standing-in-Waiariki-electorate

CULTURAL DISSENT

Immortal Technique on Obama, 9/11 truth & Corporate America

Immortal Technique- Poverty of Philosophy

Revolutionary health care in Cuba and Venezuela: Beyond Western ‘sickness-based’ medicine http://networkedblogs.com/nqsaU

Tom Morello & Michael Moore support Occupy Wall Street on Bill Maher

United States: Two classic documentaries on the 1960s radicalisation http://links.org.au/node/2511

Review: Pierre Brocheux and Daniel Hémery, “Indochina: An Ambiguous Colonization, 1858-1954” http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22985

FEATURES

Capitalism and Democracy – Tariq Ali at the Hazlitt Society http://tinyurl.com/3ec58wt

“Getting it Right: Dilemmas in Humanitarian Intervention.” By Noam Chomsky – On September 15, 2011, Noam Chomsky shared remarks on the pitfalls of humanitarian intervention with the Williams College community. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29245.htm

LAND, LABOUR AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Anti-capitalism and environmentalism as a political alternative http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22951

Fred Magdoff and John Bellamy Foster: A `realistic’ answer to the ecological crisis http://links.org.au/node/2510

BBC Speechless As Trader Tells Truth: “The Collapse Is Coming…And Goldman Rules The World”

Feral Capitalism Hits the Streets by David Harvey http://davidharvey.org/2011/08/feral-capitalism-hits-the-streets/

Day’s End: The 9/11 decade is now over. The terrorists lost. But who won? http://nymag.com/print/?/news/9-11/10th-anniversary/frank-rich/index1.html

Green capitalism: a dangerous fiction http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48924

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

Recession’s second act would be worse than the first http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/09/22/7900826-recessions-second-act-would-be-worse-than-the-first

Follow the Money: Behind the European Debt Crisis Lie More Bank Bailouts by David McNally http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22944

Wealth, Inequality, and Power – Earth Web Site – Key facts, charts, and maps about the distribution of wealth around the world http://www.theglobaleducationproject.org/earth/wealth.php

Will Hutton: The ailing euro is part of a wider crisis. Our capitalist system is near meltdown http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/18/euro-crisis-recession-europe

Occupy Wall Street rediscovers the radical imagination http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/sep/25/occupy-wall-street-protest

Latin American States at UN focus on financial crisis, suggest transaction tax http://en.mercopress.com/2011/09/23/latin-american-states-at-un-focus-on-financial-crisis-suggest-transaction-tax

BBC: Has Western capitalism failed? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14972015

Video: Christian Parenti in conversation with David Harvey http://davidharvey.org/

The eurozone: a crisis of policy, not debt – The European authorities’ doctrinaire decision to use debt issues to force austerity on Greece made the situation so much worse http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/sep/27/eurozone-crisis-debt-policy

Can the Middle Class Be Saved? http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/09/can-the-middle-class-be-saved/8600/?single_page=true

The Human Cost of a Global Crisis: Grim warning from global agencies as ILO fears 40m jobs could be lost by 2012. Undernourished total at 1bn, says Red Cross http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/27/warning-human-cost-global-crisis

AFGHANISTAN

How McChrystal and Petraeus Built an Indiscriminate “Killing Machine” http://www.truth-out.org/how-mcchrystal-and-petraeus-built-indiscriminate-killing-machine/1317052524

What went wrong for Afghanistan’s women? Many assumed the invasion of Afghanistan would improve women’s lives. But, a decade on, little has changed Read more: http://www.rawa.org/temp/runews/2011/09/26/what-went-wrong-for-afghanistan-s-womeno.html#ixzz1Z5tTmQZY

AUSTRALIA

Big parties debate cruel refugee measures http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48922

BOLIVIA

Conflict deepens over disputed highway http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48959

What’s Behind the Highway Protests in Bolivia? http://johnriddell.wordpress.com/2011/09/25/what%E2%80%99s-behind-the-highway-protests-in-bolivia/

CANADA

Fighting to win: Steel City Solidarity http://tinyurl.com/4ypjor3

The North, the Arctic and the Indigenous national question – A Québécois perspective http://lifeonleft.blogspot.com/2011/09/north-arctic-and-indigenous-national.html

Voters in B.C. reject HST regime promoted by big business http://rabble.ca/news/2011/09/voters-bc-reject-hst-regime-promoted-big-business

CHILE

‘Our future is not for sale’: The Chilean Student Movement Against Neoliberalism http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22943

CHINA

iSlave Behind the iPhone. Foxconn Workers in Central China – New SACOM report http://sacom.hk/archives/898

COLOMBIA

Senior UK figures call for release of Colombian human rights activist http://tinyurl.com/6klutgd

CUBA

An Oil-Rich Cuba? http://monthlyreview.org/2011/09/01/an-oil-rich-cuba

Cooperatives and Socialism in Cuba http://cubasocialistrenewal.blogspot.com/2011/09/translation-cooperatives-and-socialism.html

Voluntary work abolished — a step forward? http://links.org.au/node/2506

Speech by H.E. Mr. Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba at the 66th Session of the UN General Assembly http://axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/Article_63811.shtml

REFLECTIONS OF FIDEL: Chávez, Evo and Obama (Part 1) http://axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/Article_63800.shtml (Part 2) http://axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/Article_63807.shtml

GREECE

Greek despair over further cuts sees suicide and crime rates on the rise: More austerity measures likely to be passed in return for IMF help, but has nation been pushed beyond breaking point? http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/24/greek-despair-cuts-suicide-crime

HAITI

WikiLeaked U.S. Cables Paint Portrait of Brutal, Ineffectual and Polluting UN Force http://www.haiti-liberte.com/archives/volume5-10/U.S.%20Cables.asp

10 Reasons Why the UN Occupation of Haiti Must End http://www.thenation.com/article/163632/10-reasons-why-un-occupation-haiti-must-end?rel=emailNation

INDIA

Questions of Economic Policies and Democracy that Confront the Anti-Corruption Struggle http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22992

IRAQ

Oil and the Iraq War: A New Interpretation http://www.newleftproject.org/index.php/site/article_comments/oil_and_the_iraq_war_a_new_interpretation

LIBYA

Libyan divisions, and a mirage of revolution http://leninology.blogspot.com/2011/09/libyan-divisions-and-mirage-of.html#disqus_thread

In Libya, the peril of being black http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/in-libya-the-peril-of-being-black/2011/09/09/gIQAY2FoFK_print.html

Sirte civilians accuse NATO of genocide http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/sirte-civilians-accuse-nato-of-genocide/story-e6frg6so-1226147923376

Libyan Islamists must have share in power, warns leader http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/27/libyan-islamists-power-share-warning

PALESTINE

Democracy Now! debate: Does UN statehood bid advance or undermine Palestinian struggle? http://links.org.au/node/2508

Interview: “What is being called into question, and this is already very important, is the dismantling of the Welfare State and its disastrous impact on education and health” http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article22937

Palestinians submit statehood request to UN http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/09/201192312433584593.html

Phyllis Bennis: Abbas bid for Palestinian statehood means he’s given up on US-backed peace process http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=7355

Jusoor with Dr. Ang Swee

Israel’s Social Justice Movement shows the possibility of change http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/strenger-than-fiction/rosh-hashana-5772-hope-and-the-social-justice-movement-1.387259

PHILIPPINES

Satur C. Ocampo | Post-US bases: Concerns remain http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/09/24/satur-c-ocampo-post-us-bases-concerns-remain/

SYRIA

The revolution will be weaponised: Journalist Nir Rosen discusses armed struggle with army officers who have defected to join the opposition. http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/09/2011923115735281764.html

USA

Occupy Wall Street Protest Enters Second Week; 80 Arrested at Peaceful March

How Anonymous emerged to Occupy Wall Street http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/sep/27/occupy-wall-street-anonymous

Police crack down on ‘Occupy Wall Street’ protests http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/sep/25/occupywallstreet-occupy-wall-street-protests?fb=optOut

Police brutality? Occupy Wall Street turns ugly http://www.examiner.com/anonymous-in-national/police-brutality-occupy-wall-street-turns-ugly

Occupy Wall St S24 Police Riot

Is Social Security a Ponzi Scheme? Is The Washington Post a Criminal Enterprise? http://www.truth-out.org/social-security-ponzi-scheme-washington-post-criminal-enterprise/1316439015

live stream from the people at Wall Street – powerful stuff!! http://www.livestream.com/newchannel/popoutplayer?channel=globalrevolution

Michael Moore At Occupy Wall Street 9-26 – Video –

VENEZUELA

Chavez sets date for crucial presidential poll http://tinyurl.com/3na3arr

Statement from President Hugo Chávez at 66th Session of the UN General Assembly http://axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/Article_63810.shtml

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

Sign the petition

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