GPJA #410: Occupy Auckland – stand up for democracy Sat 3pm

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 410, January 27, 2012

FROM OCCUPY AUCKLAND PROTEST SATURDAY, 3PM
Defend the Right to Protest in Auckland- stand up for democracy and civil liberties. Rally at Britomart this Saturday Jan 28th at 3pm – forward widely. Occupy Auckland Thursday: 22 people arrested, with 8 people charged with willful trespass. 2 people still held, and 1 person to be deported. Most tents and communal gear seized and confiscated by Auckland Council.

PORTS OF AUCKLAND DISPUTE

Helen Kelly: Workers accept flexibility in port dispute http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10781153

CTU: Port of Auckland Dispute http://asms.org.nz/Site/News/Top_Story/20_Jan_2012.aspx

Sign up to help the workers at the Ports of Auckland http://union.org.nz/

Matt McCarten: It’s time to step up, Mr Mayor http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10778767

Ports of Auckland vs 400,000 wharfies http://thestandard.org.nz/ports-of-auckland-vs-400000-wharfies/

Ports action puts businesses and jobs at risk – CTU http://www.guide2.co.nz/money/news/business/ports-action-puts-businesses-and-jobs-at-risk-ctu/11/23055

Redundancies expected at port http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10779988

Ports dispute ‘top CTU priority’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6264117/Ports-dispute-top-CTU-priority

Ports ‘on brink’ of ‘port of convenience’ declaration http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/ports-brink-port-convenience-declaration-4694387

ITF warns Port of Auckland is on brink http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/itf-warns-port-auckland-brink/5/112781

Unions call on public to rally against port plans – Business – NZ Herald News http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10779669

Video- Auckland Community support for Wharfies http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2012/01/video-auckland-community-support-for.html

New AntiCapitalist- Victory to the Wharfies! http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-anticapitalist-victory-to-wharfies.html?mid=580

Port dispute spiralling out of control Union http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/port-dispute-spiralling-control-union-4690245

Ports dispute intended to ‘break’ union – expert (3:47) http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/port-dispute-spiralling-control-union-4690245/video?vid=4686605

Auckland board members weigh in on port dispute http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/business/6270650/Auckland-board-members-weigh-in-on-port-dispute

Chris Ford: Why I’m siding with the Auckland wharfies http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/chris-ford-why-im-siding-auckland-wharfies/1273/112774

Port and Government support for privatisation of Port of Auckland made clearer http://union.org.nz/news/2012/port-and-government-support-privatisation-port-auckland-made-clearer

Mana – We Support the Wharfies http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1201/S00052/mana-we-support-the-wharfies.htm

Auckland wharfies find friends on city’s boards http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6272419/Auckland-wharfies-find-friends-on-citys-boards

Ports of Auckland’s agenda: Casualisation, union-busting and privatisation by Denise Roche http://blog.greens.org.nz/2012/01/14/ports-of-auckland-agenda-casualisation-union-busting-and-privatisation/

Harawira wades into port dispute http://news.msn.co.nz/nationalnews/8405622/harawira-wades-into-port-dispute

Scott Hamilton (Reading the Maps): Return of the cossacks http://readingthemaps.blogspot.com/2012/01/return-of-cossacks.html

US Port dispute: ILWU’s stand in Longview – A struggle that will shape the future for dockworkers around the world is coming to a head in Longview, Wash. http://socialistworker.org/2012/01/18/ilwus-stand-in-longview

ANNOUNCEMENTS

VOTE FOR FREEPORT NOW
Greenpeace and the Berne Declaration will contribute again the Public Eye Awards in 2012 for the most irresponsible, exploitative and polluting company of the year. The vote starts today! Vote mining giant Freeport as worst company in Public Eye’s worst company award: http://www.publiceye.ch/en/vote/freeport/
SUMMARY: Precious metals in exchange for death and exploitation: The Arizona-based mining corporation has operated the Grasberg Mine, the world s largest gold and copper mine in West Papua, for 45 years without regard for nature and people. The mine produces 230,000 tons of tailings contaminated with heavy metals every day, resulting in a blanket of copper-laden waste covering over 200 square kilometers (90 square miles) and up to 15 meters (50 feet) deep that kills everything in its path and threatens a World Heritage site. In a large strike at the end of 2011, two strikers were shot dead by the police and union members received death threats. Switzerland is the fifth-largest trading center for Freeport s precious metals (after the U.S., Japan, Indonesia and Spain).
ABOUT FREEPORT MCMORAN: Headquarters: Arizona, USA; Industry: mining; Revenue / Profit: USD 19 billion / USD 4.3 billion (2010) Owned by: publicly-listed corporation; Employees: 29,700; CEO: Richard C. Adkerson; Website: www.fcx.com
IRRESPONSIBLE CORPORATE BEHAVIOR: Freeport McMoRan has been exploiting West Papua for four decades. Thanks to 1967 deal with then-dictator Suharto, the corporation has been able to brazenly help itself to the vast gold and copper reserves of West Papua . As a result, Freeport contaminates the environment, drives the indigenous population into slums, and ruins their religious and cultural sites. They have removed a mountaintop considered sacred by local indigenous people to create the world s largest copper and gold mine. The activities of Freeport lead to social disintegration and the creation of ghettos. This form of economic colonization inhibits the development of society, drives people to prostitution, and promotes the sharp rise in HIV infections in the West Papuan population.
CONSEQUENCES: The mine produces 230,000 tons of tailings contaminated with heavy metals every day, resulting in a blanket of cement-like waste covering over 200 sqaure milesand up to 15 meters (50 feet) deep that kills everything in its path. The Lorentz National Park, a World Heritage site, is increasingly threatened by Freeport s toxic waste. The displaced population lives in slum-like conditions: In the mining town of Timika, more than half the population lives below the poverty line. Crime, prostitution and HIV infections are steadily rising. The corruption of military and police adds oil to the fire in West Papua s already unstable political climate. The potential for conflict surges, with repeated riots, injuries and deaths. More than 160 people have been fatally shot by the military in the surroundings of Freeport s Grasberg Mine.
CURRENT STATUS AND DEMANDS ON THE COMPANY: Thousands of underpaid mine workers went on strike at the end of 2011, temporarily paralyzing the mine. In light of Freeport s catastrophic practices, the company s financial partners must distance themselves from Freeport; the Norwegian Government Pension Fund has already taken this step. The Indonesia Human Rights Committee claims Freeport cannot operate the Grasberg Mine without committing human rights violations and irreversible environmental destruction, and therefore calls for the closure of the mine.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Indonesian Human Rights Committee: www.indonesiahumanrights.org.nz
Occupy Phoenix against Freeport:
Asian Times on the 2011 strike: www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/MK02Ae01.html
The Norwegian Government Pension Fund s Disinvestment from Freeport: www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/fin/press-center/Press-releases/2006/Two-companies
Statement on the operations of the Freeport McMoran Mine in West Papua, Indonesia http://www.etan.org/news/2008/09freeport.htm

VII "MAY DAY" INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE FROM APRIL 22ND, TO MAY 6TH, 2012
Dear friend: Receive a cordial and warm greeting on behalf of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples that affectionately summons you to participate in the sixth edition of the International Brigade of Volunteer Work and Solidarity with Cuba on the occasion of the International May Day. As in previous editions, it will be integrated by friends from all continents. Brigade’s aim is to provide a wider understanding of Cuban reality as well as carrying out some voluntary work sessions, as a support to agricultural development and productive sphere in our country. Program includes visits to historical, economical, cultural and social places, not only in Havana but also in other provinces, lectures about national issues as well as meetings with representatives of Cuban organizations. Staying includes 10 nights in the International Camp Julio Antonio Mella (CIJAM) located in the municipality of Caimito, 45 km from Havana City and 4 nights in tourist facilities in Pinar del Rio province. It will cost 295.00 CUC which includes accommodation in shared rooms for up to 6 people in CIJAM, three meals daily, transfer in-out and transportation to all program activities. Agricultural work sessions will be carried out in areas near CIJAM. The camp, founded in 1972, has appropriate conditions for community life and for satisfying needs of friends who visit us from around the world. Registrations are open for those interested until March 30th, 2012. Confirmations of participation as well as information about date, flight number and airline to which you are scheduled to arrive and departure from Cuba, should be sent to asia.norte and director.dao Looking forward your enthusiastic participation with our people in this proletarian celebration of the May Day. See you then! Asia and Pacific Division, Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples.

CALL FOR THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM FREE PALESTINE, NOV. 2012 IN BRAZIL
http://www.bdsmovement.net/2012/call-for-the-world-social-forum-free-palestine-nov-2012-in-brazil-8603

Occupied Palestine is part of every free heartbeat in this world and her cause continues to inspire solidarity across the globe. The World Social Forum Free Palestine is an expression of the human instinct to unite for justice and freedom and an echo of the World Social Forum’s opposition to neo-liberal hegemony, colonialism, and racism through struggles for social, political and economic alternatives to promote justice, equality, and the sovereignty of peoples.
The WSF Free Palestine will be a global encounter of broad-based popular and civil society mobilizations from around the world. It aims to:
1. Show the strength of solidarity with the calls of the Palestinian people and the diversity of initiatives and actions aimed at promoting justice and peace in the region.
2. Create effective actions to ensure Palestinian self-determination, the creation of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, and the fulfillment of human rights and international law, by:
a) Ending Israeli occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall;
b) Ensuring the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and
c) Implementing, protecting, and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194.
3. Be a space for discussion, exchange of ideas, strategizing, and planning in order to improve the structure of solidarity.
Exactly sixty-five years after Brazil presided over the UN General Assembly session that agreed upon the partition of Palestine, Brazil will host a different type of global forum: an historic opportunity for people from all over the world to stand up where governments have failed. The world’s people will come together to discuss new visions and effective actions to contribute to justice and peace in the region.

We call on all organizations, movements, networks, and unions across the globe to join the WSF Free Palestine in November 2012 in Porto Alegre. We ask you to join the International Committee for the WSF Free Palestine, we will establish as soon as possible. Participation in this forum will structurally strengthen solidarity with Palestine, promote action to implement Palestinian’s legitimate rights, and hold Israel and its allies accountable to international law. Together we can raise global solidarity with Palestine to a new level.
Palestinian Preparatory Committee for the WSF Free Palestine 2012. Secretariat members: • PNGO Palestinian NGO Network; • Stop the Wall Palestinian grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign; • OPGAI Occupied Palestinian Golan Heights Advocacy Initiative; • Alternatives represented by: Alternative Information Center, Teacher Creativity Center; • Ittijah; • General Union of Palestinian women. Coordination office: PNGO Palestinian NGO Network, Tel: +970 2 2975320/1, Fax: +970 2 2950704, E mail: samahd

TREATY RESOURCES CENTRE NEWSLETTER
There are some events and activities coming up that may be of interest to you:
Exploring Pākehā Identity seminar: This seminar explores what surveys say about us: Do we see diversity as a positive value? What is the first language spoken in our homes? Do we value te reo Māori? How does the ‘we’ vary by age, gender, ethnicity and geography in New Zealand? Introduced by Carl Chenery, with Kate Terry, Director, Client Services Media NZ and Anca Cernic from the Nielsen Company. 6 to 7:30pm, Thursday 2nd February, Whare wananga, Level 2, Central City Library, 44-46 Lorne St. For more details: Treaty Resource Centre
Elevate and celebrate the Treaty of Waitangi: Various Presentations and workshops sponsored by the Auckland Libraries February 7th to 10th, 2012. For more details: Auckland Libraries Free Treaty Workshops. We are running a number a free Treaty workshops between February and April. One 12 hour workshop: Glenn Innes, 14th,15th, 16th February Three 6 hour workshops: Manukau, 15th February; Warkworth, 24th February; and Glenn lnnes, 2nd March. For more details:
Treaty Resource Centre TRC Digital Resource Library: Our digitised library is up and ready to go. We have an archive of resources and papers from the anti-racism and Treaty movements dating back to the early 1970s. Many of these are now in our digital library. Try it out and see how it works! For more details: TRC Digital reference library
Educational resources to support primary teachers incorporate Te Tiriti into the curriculm: These are being drafted — please tell us if you know anyone who could trial them. Contact: TRC co-ordinator
Review of New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements: In the previous term the Government made a commitment to review New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements. The review will include public consultation on a wide range of matters, including the Treaty of Waitangi. We will post updates on Treaty Topics— but in the meantime you can find information and resources on the Peace movement Aotearoa website. Happy new year, Treaty Resource Centre team.

WHAT’S ON

Saturday, January 28, 6pm, 8 Mount Eden Road, Auckland.
Contagious Strikes: Talk on workers’ struggles in China. In mid-2010 a strike wave rolled through China’s factories, the most widespread and militant struggle of China’s internal migrant workers so far. The struggle shook the Chinese regime and provoked a world-wide debate: Is this the beginning of the end of the low-wage-model that stands behind China’s rise to the "factory of the world" and provides the rest of the world with cheap consumer products? The workers’ strikes continued in 2011, and together with riots and peasant uprisings they are indicators for the increasing pressure for social change in China. Come along to a talk and discussion evening given by a German-born activist living in China on Saturday 28th January, 6pm at Cityside Hall, 8 Mount Eden Road. The talk will focus on the social conditions behind the strikes, the formation of a new working class movement in China, and the implications for social struggles around the world.

Sunday, January 29, 1pm until 5pm, Unite Union, 6a Western Springs Road, Morningside, Auckland
Bloody Sunday (Irish: Domhnach na Fola) was an incident on 30 January 1972 in the Bogside area of Derry, Northern Ireland, in which 26 unarmed civil-rights protesters and bystanders were shot by soldiers of the British Army. Thirteen males, seven of whom were teenagers, died immediately or soon after, while the death of another man four-and-a-half months later was attributed to the injuries he received on that day. Two protesters were also injured when they were run down by army vehicles.[4] Five of those wounded were shot in the back.The incident occurred during a Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association march; the soldiers involved were members of the First Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (1 Para). Bloody Sunday remains among the most significant events in the Troubles of Northern Ireland, chiefly because it was carried out by the army and not paramilitaries, in full view of the public and the press. Join the Connolly Club of Auckland as we look at the background events leading up to the massacre- the Orange State, the Civil Rights Movement, the autonomous zone of Free Derry, and the revolutionary wave that spread across the world in 1968 that led to a mass movement in the North of Ireland. Discussion forum will be followed by a screening of the movie Bloody Sunday, starring James Nesbitt. For more info, contact Joe Carolan at 029 44 55 702.

Sunday, January 29, 1pm until 2pm, Wellington People’s Centre. 2 Lukes Lane, Wellington
Peter Dunne: Stop Asset Sales! Did you know the proposed (partial) asset sales could be stopped by one vote? Peter Dunne, leader and sole MP for United Future (Ohariu) has the deciding vote in National’s proposed asset sales? Believe it or not, if Mr. Dunne were to withdraw his support, the government should not be able to sell our assets. Why Peter Dunne? Mr. Dunne entered parliament in 2011 as the Member for Ohariu by a very slim margin, making him more suceptible to pressure from his constituents regarding controversial issues such as partial asset sales. So, this campaign focuses on Peter Dunne, his single vote can halt asset sales in their tracks. What can you do? Here are some ideas: * First, tell your friends and family who live in Crofton Downs, southern Tawa, Ngaio, Khandallah, Johnsonville, Newlands, Korokoro, Maungaraki and Normandale to write, call, email or meet Mr. Dunne to express their opposition, to remind him of his duty as the member for Ohariu and to vote against the government’s asset sales; * Organise leafleting and public speaking in the shopping areas of Ohariu; * Contact MPs Charles Chauvel (Labour) and Gareth Hughes (Greens) ask these two fine men to support in whatever way they can – leafleting, speaking, resources; * Write letters to MPs, to the media, newspapers etc; * Write press releases and send to all media; * Organise drive-bys (horn tooting, noise makers, whistles, pots/pans/wooden spoons, flags etc), organise protests – occupations in Ohariu – maybe outside Mr. Dunne’s house? * Create your own news programmes – questions prepared, video cameras, interviews with people in Ohariu; * Let the entire country know through media, emails etc – grow support against asset sales. If you think this is an issue worth fighting for let’s meet to discuss the practical possibilities this Sunday in Wellington – ALL WELCOME

Monday, January 30, 7.30pm, Alexander McMillan Room, Dunedin Community House, 283 Moray Place, Dunedin
Contagious Strikes – Talk on workers’struggles in China: In mid-2010 a strike wave rolled through China’s factories, the most widespread and militant struggle of China’s internal migrant workers so far. The struggle shook the Chinese regime and provoked a world-wide debate: Is this the beginning of the end of the low-wage model that stands behind China’s rise to the ‘factory of the world’ and provides the rest of the world with cheap consumer products? The workers’ strikes conitinued in 2011, and together with riots and peasant uprisings they are indicators for the increasing pressure for social change in China.

Tuesday, January 31, 6pm, The Pegasus Arms (Oxford Terrace, down from the Christchurch Hospital), Christchurch
January Books & Beers: Pro-Feminist Men Fellow Travelers or False Friends? ‘Books and Beers’ invites you to a reading/social group dedicated to good ideas and good beer. Every so often we will be getting together at a pub to discuss a chosen paper, zine or book. From topical themes and radical history, to ideas around organising and other random rants, we hope to gain some knowledge, exchange ideas, and have a few beers while doing it. Our first reading for 2012 will be a paper translated from the French: ‘Pro-Feminist Men: Fellow Travellers or False Friends’ (read it or download it here: http://issuu.com/garagecollective/docs/pro-feminist_men ). Have a read, then join us in a conversation, hot chips, and a brew. Books & Beers is an informal, open space and anyone interested is welcome to take part.

Saturday, February 4, 8pm, Kings Arms, Auckland
ANTI POVERTY BENEFIT SHOW $10 waged/$8 unwaged. • Heart Attack Alley blues trio Caoimhe Macfehin (The Drab Doo-Riffs) on vocals, Kristal G on guitar, and Karl Steven (Supergroove, the Drab Doo-Riffs) on blues harp; • Shitripper fast and energetic hardcore punk with Justin, Kylie, Josh, Kolya, Berry and Brogan; • Lubin Rains (of Vietnam War) singer/song writer/guitarist doing his solo thing, country and folk inspired; • Tina Turntables Queen of DJ; • Moppy Lofi electronic sounds – ‘the twisted side project from Thom Burton of the Wilberforces.’ Help us raise money for AAAP, as well as joining us in a great night out all welcome! We look forward to seeing you soon and hope you’re having a great summer despite the weather Best wishes, Karen, Chris, Sarah and Sue, for AAAP.

Saturday, February 4, 7pm, Fred’s, 46 Frederick St (between Taranaki and Tory St), Wellington
Contagious Strikes – Talk on workers’struggles in China:

Saturday, February 11, 7pm, Orakei Community Centre, 156 Keepa Rd, Orakei, Auckland

Fiesta Latina: Latin American drinks, music, show. $10 entry.

Monday, February 13, 9am 12noon, Auckland High Court, Cnr Waterloo Quadrant & Parliament Street, Auckland.
Free the Urewera Four Drop All the Charges. Taame, Rangi, Emily and Urs, are the last to still face charges from the state terror raids of 15th October 2007 and their trial will start on 13th February 2012 in the Auckland High Court. This date has been confirmed which means we all have less than ONE MONTH to get ready and do what we can to support. There is plenty of things you can do. Here are a few ideas: 1. Talk to your whanau, friends and workmates about the trial and get them signed up to this email list (email us their address) and ‘like’ our facebook page to stay up to date: https://www.facebook.com/pages/October-15-Solidarity/25598818522 2. If you are in Auckland or planning to come to Auckland for the trial (or some of it – it is expected to last three (!) months), have a think about what you could do in terms of political and practical solidarity. 3. If you are a member of a union or a political group, get a story about this trial printed in your magazine to make the links between this trial and political activism and aspirations for tino rangantiratanga. 4. Write a letter to the editor – a great way to keep this show-trial in the public’s mind. 5. Watch ‘Operation 8’ – you can get it at many Video stores and libraries. Or you can buy a copy here: http://cutcutcut.com/Operation8.html

Thursday, February 16, 8pm, Auckland Rioalto Theatre, Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland.
Brother Number One – preview film screening for Amnesty International. Public Event for Amnesty International Auckland Central. In 1978, when future Kiwi Olympian and transatlantic rowing champion Rob Hamill was 14, his older brother Kerry disappeared. Two years later the family … http://brothernumberone.co.nz/

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never, to forget. " – Arundhati Roy

"We’re losing public goods available to all, supported by the tax payments of all and especially the better off. In its place we have private goods available to the very rich, supported by the rest of us." Robert Reich, former U.S. secretary of labor, The Decline of the Public Good, January 4, 2012

“The real science of political economy, which has yet to be distinguished from the bastard science, as medicine from witchcraft, and astronomy from astrology, is that which teaches nations to desire and labour for the things that lead to life: and which teaches them to scorn and destroy the things that lead to destruction.” John Ruskin, Unto This Last (1860)CYFs shut down Aupouri Program

"Today is a sad day for the rule of law and for those who believe that the courts should protect American citizens from torture by their own government," – "By dismissing this lawsuit, the appeals court handed the government a blank check to commit any abuse in the name of national security, even the brutal torture of a U.S. citizen on U.S. soil. " – Ben Wizner – ACLU National Security Project Litigation Director 01/23/2012 – http://bit.ly/wLv6kP

"In a time of universal deceit – telling the truth is a revolutionary act." – George Orwell

"All the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting." – George Orwell

STATS OF THE WEEK

· Since 2000, says a new GMI research group study, 21 U.S. CEOs have pocketed severance packages worth over $100 million. The chief executives averaged only 13 years with the companies they exited.

· In 2010, notes Syracuse University tax expert Len Burman, the average American earning under $200,000 had a capital loss, not a gain. Those Americans making over $1 million had $258 billion of the $261 billion of the year’s net capital gains.

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Matt McCarten: Cheerful free-market ride about to nosedive http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10780225

2Johns2Cups the infamous teapot tapes

Twenty arrests as Occupy Auckland evicted http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/sixty-police-move-in-oust-occupy-auckland-protesters-4702272

Additional trespass notice for Occupy Auckland protesters http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/6298753/Additional-trespass-notice-for-Occupy-Auckland-protesters

CTU: Government needs change in policy direction http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1201/S00122/government-needs-change-in-policy-direction.htm

Auckland police probe after Occupy arrests http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6301469/Auckland-police-probe-after-Occupy-arrests

NZ slips out of top 10 for freedom in the media http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10781445

Gordon Campbell: On Kim Dotcom’s bail application http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/01/24/gordon-campbell-on-kim-dotcoms-bail-application/

CYF shuts down trust’s free lunches for pupils http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10780696

Waihopai Valley spybase protest http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6294623/Waihopai-Valley-spybase-protest

Waihopai dome buster says ‘sorry’ http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/waihopai-dome-buster-says-sorry-4696033/video

New blood in spy base protest http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/6298414/New-blood-in-spy-base-protest

2.7% rise for the firefighters; 70% for their boss http://rdln.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/2-7-rise-for-the-firefighters-70-for-their-boss/#more-1421

Party leaders battle for crucial Ratana blessing http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6297660/Party-leaders-battle-for-crucial-Ratana-blessing

Teen becomes leading voice on child poverty http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6258305/Teen-becomes-leading-voice-on-child-poverty

Inflation low, but so is the growth rate http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/6286589/Inflation-low-but-so-is-the-growth-rate

No Corporate Welfare for Coca Cola &Transnational Bludgers http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1201/S00072/no-corporate-welfare-for-coca-cola-transnational-bludgers.htm

Tom Frewen: NZ on Air Spooked by Political Interference http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1201/S00086/tom-frewen-nz-on-air-spooked-by-political-interference.htm

CPI increase still leaves need for big wages catch up http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1201/S00067/cpi-increase-still-leaves-need-for-big-wages-catch-up.htm

Government urged to take note of damning Australian childcare study http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1201/S00027/government-urged-to-take-note-of-damning-childcare-report.htm

Poverty trap set at birth study http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10779433

PressTV doco on the successful Viva Palestina5 international aid convoy to Gaza in Sept/Oct 2010, which included a 6-person Kia Ora Gaza team of Kiwis.

Inequalities can no longer be justified http://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/opinion/194588/inequalities-can-no-longer-be-justified

Union says immigrants forced to accept pay below minimum wage http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10778932

Rena anger grows http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/rena-crisis/6258692/Rena-anger-grows

The $2.7b debt could cost Kiwis http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/latest-edition/6257550/The-2-7b-debt-could-cost-Kiwis

Probe call as supermarket profits exceed food costs http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/latest-edition/6258700/Probe-call-as-supermarket-profits-exceed-food-costs

NZ houses rated ‘highly unaffordable’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/economy/news/article.cfm?c_id=34&objectid=10780453

NZEI: Urgent action required to support early childhood education in Christchurch East http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1201/S00051/urgent-action-for-early-childhood-education-in-chch-east.htm

FEATURES

The International Context of Global Outrage (in 5 parts): Looking back on the movements that preceded the Arab Spring, the Indignados, and Occupy Wall Street by Eric Toussaint http://www.cadtm.org/Looking-back-on-the-movements-that

Richard Branson: End failed war on drugs http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/6305150/Richard-Branson-End-failed-war-on-drugs

Patrice Lumumba: 50 Years Later, Remembering the U.S.-Backed Assassination of Congo’s First Democratically Elected Leader http://www.democracynow.org/2011/1/21/patrice_lumumba_50_years_later_remembering

Lupe Fiasco – The End Of The World (Occupy Wall Street Anthem Song) #OWS ft. M83 Midnight City http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PDDCmHr0G2E

The Distinguishing Features of Latin America’s New Left In Power – The Governments Of Hugo Chavez, Evo Morales And Rafael Correa By Steve Ellner http://www.zcommunications.org/the-distinguishing-features-of-latin-america-s-new-left-in-power-by-steve-ellner

Out of the Backyard: New Latin American and Caribbean Bloc Defies Washington http://quotha.net/node/2051

Whose hands are behind those dramatic YouTube pictures? The Newsfakers by PATRICK COCKBURN http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/01/16/the-newsfakers/print

Why Now? What’s Next? Naomi Klein and Yotam Marom in Conversation About Occupy Wall Street http://tinyurl.com/6vmt2mk

Obama Increases Hostility Toward Venezuela: It’s an Election Year http://www.cepr.net/index.php/op-eds-&-columns/op-eds-&-columns/obama-increases-hostility-toward-venezuela-its-an-election-year

John Pilger: Media lies fuel war drive http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49727

Jacob Hacker and Paul Pierson on Engineered Inequality – In this show segment, Moyers & Company dives into one of the most important and controversial issues of our time: How Washington and Big Business colluded to make the super-rich richer and turn their backs on the rest of us. http://www.truth-out.org/jacob-hacker-paul-pierson-engineered-inequality/1326819737

The Networked Era – An Interview with Michael Nielsen by Lindsey Gilbert: The Internet may well have its downsides, but it also has the potential to make us collectively smarter, according to open-science advocate Michael Nielsen. http://www.bostonreview.net/BR37.1/michael_nielsen_reinventing_discovery.php

Interpol faces legal threat for helping oppressive regimes hunt dissidents http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/23/10167327-interpol-faces-legal-threat-for-helping-oppressive-regimes-hunt-dissidents

LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT

The Green Economy: the Wolf in Sheep’s clothing BY Edgardo Lander: The fundamental flaw at the heart of UNEP’s report "Towards a Green Economy" is its failure to analyse the extraordinarily unequal power relations that exist in today’s world, and the interests at play in the operation of this global economic system. http://www.tni.org/report/green-economy-wolf-sheeps-clothing

Worth Framing: Future World Bank president explains why Africa is ‘vastly underpolluted’ http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=6394#more-6394

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

How Hayek helped us to find capitalism’s flaws by Occupy London http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/89d242b0-4687-11e1-89a8-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1kau2fIna

The Perils of 2012: When Austerity Bites Back: In this article, Joseph Stiglitz speaks of 2011 as a year that will have serious negative consequences for the world economy, and predicts that 2012 will be even worse http://tinyurl.com/7lm9x6j

Stewart Lansley: Enrichment at the top is deepening the recession http://tinyurl.com/84mdkyg

Neoliberalism and the End Of Shorter Work Hours by Christoph Hermann http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/590.php#continue

The Perils of 2012 by Joseph E. Stiglitz http://tinyurl.com/7p8ufcj

The rise of the overclass – We’ve all heard of the ‘underclass’: now its mirror image a super-rich elite that is equally cut off from the rest of us is defining the political debate http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9027846/The-rise-of-the-overclass.html

Are the wealthy paying too much in taxes? http://tinyurl.com/89sju8e

Tax Cuts, Privatization and Deregulation Disguised as Public Policy by Paul Kahnert and Sam Gindin http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/587.php

CULTURAL DISSENT

The Slavic Punk Rock Connection http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2012/01/slavic-punk-rock-connection.html

Hint: Abolish copyright: By the same token, preempt theft by eliminating private ownership. Dean’s been advocating his "artistic freedom voucher" formula for a

while, but it just feels that people are now more receptive to these messages. No? http://www.cepr.net/index.php/op-eds-&-columns/op-eds-&-columns/the-surefire-way-to-end-online-piracy-end-copyright

Greedy Lying Bastards: Best movie title of 2012! A new documentary film exposes the environmental destruction, illness and death caused by the fossil fuel industry http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=6427

Review: Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions: The Global Struggle for Palestinian Rights http://tinyurl.com/7zsfeek

Offender of the Rich and Powerful – The Politics of Upton Sinclair by RON JACOBS http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/01/20/the-politics-of-upton-sinclair/

ARGENTINA

Argentina hits back at David Cameron over colonialism jibe http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jan/19/argentina-david-cameron-colonialism

AUSTRALIA

Gillard and Abbott were never really threatened by aboriginal protestors http://www.independentaustralia.net/2012/politics/gillard-and-abbott-were-never-really-threatened-by-aboriginal-protestors/

Aboriginal activists speak on Tent Embassy 40-year milestone http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49759

ASIO rulings put refugees’ lives in limbo http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49749

Speech by member of Australasian brigade to Cuba Jan 2012 http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18076151/Brigade%20speech%202012.pdf

Trade Unions Have Been Good For Australia (67%), But Membership Must Be Voluntary (87%) Say Clear Majority Of Australians http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2012/4739/

CANADA

Canadian Labour At The Crossroads? By Doug Nesbitt: A wage cut of fifty per cent. An elimination of pensions. Cuts to benefits. These demands have inevitably led to a major showdown at a locomotive factory in London, Ontario between the 700 unionized workers of Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) and Caterpillar, a massive U.S.-based corporation. The workers, members of Canadian Auto Workers Local 27, responded to the employer’s demands with a positive strike vote of 97 per cent. The employer, Progress Rail, a subsidiary of Caterpillar, locked out the workers on New Year’s Day. http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/586.php

Strategizing the Resistance: A Conversation with Manny Ness: “In 2012 workers in Toronto face a large coordinated attack on jobs and services. We must resist, again, as workers have resisted throughout history.” http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/ls127.php

COLOMBIA

U.S. Fueling Human Rights Abuses in Colombia By Dan Kovalik – Human Rights Watch (HRW) just released its annual human rights report on Colombia, and it is not pretty. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30360.htm

CUBA

Cuba’s truths: OVER the last few days, the media and representatives of certain governments traditionally committed to anti-Cuba subversion have unleashed a new campaign of accusations, unscrupulously taking advantage of a lamentable event: the death of an ordinary prisoner, which possibly only in the case of Cuba, is converted into news of international repercussion. http://www.granma.cu/ingles/cuba-i/23enero-Editorial.html

The Paradox of Cuban Agriculture BY Miguel A. Altieri and Fernando R. Funes-Monzote http://monthlyreview.org/2012/01/01/the-paradox-of-cuban-agriculture

Speech by member of Australasian brigade Jan 2012 http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18076151/Brigade%20speech%202012.pdf

Give Guantánamo Back to Cuba http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/opinion/give-guantanamo-back-to-cuba.html?_r=1

CHILE

Did the Mapuche Cause Wildfires, or Was It Climate Change? http://weeklynewsupdate.blogspot.com/2012/01/wnu-1113-whos-to-blame-for-chiles.html

CHINA

Questions for Li Qiang of China Labor Watch http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/q-and-a-with-li-qiang-of-china-labor-watch/

EGYPT

Tahrir trembles again with the Egyptian revolution http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2012/01/tahrir-trembles-again-with-egyptian.html

Tahrir One Year Later: The Fight for Egypt’s Future http://www.thenation.com/article/165735/tahrir-one-year-later-fight-egypts-future?rel=emailNation

GRENADA

Savage Lockout at Grenada Breweries! http://cms.iuf.org/?q=node/1363

GUATEMALA

Cruel experiments on Guatemalans: Jason Farbman reports on another terrible chapter–one the Obama administration doesn’t want told–in the suffering the U.S. government has inflicted on Guatemala http://socialistworker.org/2012/01/23/experiments-on-guatemalans

HAITI

Haiti two years on: Beyond relief, beyond belief http://canadahaitiaction.ca/content/haiti-two-years-beyond-relief-beyond-belief

INDIA

Beware the ‘gush-up gospel’ behind India’s billionaires By Arundhati Roy http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/925376ca-3d1d-11e1-8129-00144feabdc0.html

INDONESIA

Locating the power of labour – Workers are not a dominant force in political life, but they are far from being powerless by Benny Hari Juliawan http://www.insideindonesia.org/feature/locating-the-power-of-labour-23012885

Still an age of activism – Left-wing politics are fragmented, but left-wing ideas are surprisingly influential by Edward Aspinall http://www.insideindonesia.org/feature/still-an-age-of-activism-22012883

IRAN

‘Guerrilla assault on Iran well underway’

Bring on the Sanctions. Send in the Clowns By Robert Fisk: We’ve been here before – and it suits Israel that we never forget ‘Nuclear Iran’. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30352.htm

IRAQ

Diary BY Tariq Ali: In this podcast, Tariq Ali reads extracts from his Diary about North Korea. The full article is below. http://www.lrb.co.uk/v34/n02/tariq-ali/diary/print

KOREA

Bleak Blockbusters: Korean directors are making dark, cynical films about the war with the North—and audiences can’t get enough of them. http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/movies/2012/01/the_front_line_why_do_koreans_love_bleak_war_movies_.html

LIBYA

Libya Protests Spur Shake-Up in Interim Government http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/23/world/africa/protests-shake-libyas-interim-government.html

Gaddafi loyalists take back Bani Walid: Reports say at least four people killed in clashes between besieged NTC forces and well-organised pro-Gaddafi fighters http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/23/gaddafi-loyalists-bani-walid/print

In Libya, a Fundamentalist War against Moderate Islam Takes Shape: Libyans are discovering that their hard fought battle to win freedoms is at risk. Puritanical Muslims known as Salafis are applying a rigid form of Islam in more and more communities. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2104578,00.html

MEXICO

Do the United States and Mexico Really Want the Drug War To Succeed? http://monthlyreview.org/2012/01/01/do-the-united-states-and-mexico-really-want-the-drug-war-to-succeed

PALESTINE

‘Israeli economy on verge of collapse’ – Interview with Ralph Schoenman, author of ‘The Hidden History of Zionism’ http://www.presstv.ir/detail/221395.html

The ‘Invented People’ Stand Little Chance By Robert Fisk: His statement that the Palestinians were an "invented people" marked about the lowest point in the Republican-Christian Right-Likudist/Israel relationship. So deep has this pact now become that you can deny the existence of an entire people if you want to become US president. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30257.htm

PORTUGAL

Indignados march hits Lisbon again

RUSSIA

SPAIN

Spain’s "Indignados" and the Globalization of Dissent
NIGERIA

A rising of the poor http://tinyurl.com/73pzfqm

Nigeria: The state versus the people — 10 million join general strike, protests; Unions condemn state killings http://links.org.au/node/2697

ROMANIA

‘One solution, another revolution!’ the slogan as thousands protest austerity in Romania http://tinyurl.com/7k5obc5

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa: ANC centenary a display of elite power http://links.org.au/node/2696

SYRIA

Between popular resistance and foreign intervention http://links.org.au/node/2698

Most Syrians back President Assad, but you’d never know from western media – Assad’s popularity, Arab League observers, US military involvement: all distorted in the west’s propaganda war http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/17/syrians-support-assad-western-propaganda

TUNISIA

The Bouazizi Spark: The Beginning of a Long Revolutionary Process http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/bouazizi-spark-beginning-long-revolutionary-process

UK

The scandal of low-paid care workers http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/gavin-kelly/2011/12/minimum-wage-paid-care-pay?mid=5809

How to… pay the living wage in your borough – Islington is one of England’s most deprived boroughs, with a huge divide between rich and poor but it has committed to paying and promoting the London living wage http://www.guardian.co.uk/local-government-network/2012/jan/17/islington-pay-living-wage

Olympics: free tickets for corporate sponsors, rationing for the masses http://tinyurl.com/7h4fqrk

USA

More Lockouts as Companies Battle Unions http://www.cnbc.com/id/46100610

The Modern Immigrant Rights Movement http://www.cipamericas.org/archives/6080

We’re still 10 million jobs short of boom times by MARK WEISBROT http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/19/4199029_were-still-10-million-jobs-short.html#storylink=cpy

Alan Greenspan’s ship of fools – The Fed’s FOMC is supposed to steer the US economy to prosperity. As we now see, it was completely rudderless in 2006 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/jan/18/alan-greenspan-ship-of-fools

Wall Street, Small Business, and the Limits of Corporate Personhood: An Interview with Doug Henwood http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2012/henwood210112p.html

ILWU’s stand in Longview – A struggle that will shape the future for dockworkers around the world is coming to a head in Longview, Wash. http://socialistworker.org/2012/01/18/ilwus-stand-in-longview

The Torture of Mumia Abu-Jamal Continues off Death Row – Supporters Demand Transfer to General Population by Hans Bennett http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/588.php#continue

Outlawing dissent: Rahm Emanuel’s new regime – On the pretext of policing upcoming G8 and Nato summits, Chicago’s mayor has awarded himself draconian new powers http://tinyurl.com/856mq4d

Noam Chomsky Response to Ron Paul at CNN/Tea Party Debate

Survey Finds Rising Perception of Class Tension http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/12/us/more-conflict-seen-between-rich-and-poor-survey-finds.html?ref=us

Standing Up to Indiana’s Attack on Unions by Tithi Bhattacharya http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/591.php

For Too Many African-Americans Prison is a Legacy Passed from Father to Son By Gary Younge Today is Martin Luther King Day. But with more African-American men facing jail than were enslaved in 1850, there is little to celebrate. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30264.htm