GPJA #412: Aotearoa is not for sale – meeting Friday 7.30pm

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 412, February 15, 2012

Friday, February 17, 7pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland.
Aotearoa not for sale – Public meeting. Charter Schools. Crafar Farms. Deep Sea Oil Drilling by Petrobas off the East Coast. Wharfies facing the sack as Ports Of Auckland gears up to privatise. And now no Treaty when it comes to selling off public assets. New Zealand is for sale. Come to the Forum this Friday to begin organising the fightback to defend Aotearoa. Speakers: Phil Twyford, Labour MP. Matt McCarten, Mana Movement. Denise Roche, Green MP. Russell Mayn, Maritime Union of New Zealand. Joe Carolan, Aotearoa is Not for Sale. http://www.facebook.com/events/175257735910484/

PORTS OF AUCKLAND DISPUTE
MUNZ: Seven day full strike for Ports of Auckland http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00084/seven-day-full-strike-for-ports-of-auckland.htm
Save Our Port.com: For job security and public ownership at Ports of Auckland http://www.saveourport.com/
Ports of Auckland management attack free speech http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00127/ports-of-auckland-management-attack-free-speech.htm
CTU President Helen Kelly talks about the Ports of Auckland and the effects of casualisation on workers and workplace health and safety. http://thestandard.org.nz/ports-of-auckland-and-casualisation/
MUNZ Ports of Auckland Dispute Update 5 – This update from Carol Beaumont is primarily aimed at union officials in Auckland but it is copied to you for information:
Support Building: With more information getting out into the community via written material and attendance at meetings we are obtaining increasing numbers of signatures on our petitions and people volunteering to assist us. Certainly there is wide knowledge of the dispute and we are finding the casualisation issue is well understood. We are continuing to identify events and meetings to attend.
18 & 19 February – Public Support: This weekend we want to continue our approach of being visible in the community – we want a sense that we are actively engaging with Auckland and seeking their support. The Maritime Union will have members at the following fleamarkets this weekend: Saturday 18th: Mangere (Saturday 7am – 2pm); Location: Town Centre carpark off Mascot Avenue, Mangere. Otara (Saturday 7.45 am -12 ) Location: East Tamaki Rd. Turn left at McDonalds. Market in carpark. Notes: Our site on bend at end of food aisle. NZ Labour party gazebo with table and couple of chairs. Sunday 19th Avondale (Sunday 7am – 12.30pm).Location – Avondale Racecourse, Rata Street, Avondale. Notes – our site is in middle of Food Court. Manurewa (Sunday 7am – 12.00pm). Location – North Crest Car park, opposite RSA, Maich Rd, Manurewa. Notes – our site will be under red Labour gazebo. Browns Bay (details to be provided). You are welcome to join us at these events. In addition to the fleamarket presence we would like to have people in smaller ‘main street’ locations on Saturday 18th from 10.30 to 12.30. These will go ahead if we can identify at least 2 people who are willing to hand out postcards and to encourage the signing of our petition. We are also happy for other locations to be suggested. We need to know of any of you or your members who are willing to do this and we need to know by Thursday 12 noon so we can organise getting material to a contact person for each location.
25 & 26 February – Picket Activities: Limited industrial action has commenced on the Port today but there will be no pickets until the full strike action commences on Friday 24th February 7am. The strike notice is for 7 days. Over the weekend of Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 we will have events for families and we will be inviting Aucklanders to join us. Please make sure your members know about this and that they come down to the picket at Teal Park (outside the Fergusson Wharf gate/Westpac Rescue Centre) corner Tamaki Drive and Solent Street and join us. If you know anyone prepared to help with entertainment, food, activities for children etc please contact me. Summary: 1. Please continue to let us know of events/meetings we can speak at; 2. Please continue to encourage people to sign our petition by distributing hard copy petitions or by going online www.saveourport.com ; 3. Please continue to encourage people to volunteer to help us by either going online www.saveourport.com or phoning 099510226; 4. Please find us people to assist us on Saturday 18th at one of the above locations and let us know their name and phone number; 5. Please let people know about joining us on the picket line, especially over the 25 and 26 February and let me know the names of people who can help with food entertainment and activities for children. Thanks for all your support – we appreciate itThanks, Carol Beaumont, MUNZ Campaign Adviser, Ph 0272757374.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FREE SOMYOT CAMPAIGN
Dear friends, Please find an update from the international campaign to free labour and political activist Somyot Pruksakasemsuk from detention in Thailand. Somyot has been charged with the crime of “Lese Majeste” which means criticising the King. This “crime” has a maximum sentence of 30 years! I have known Somyot as a labour activist for over 20 years and he is a personal friend. I have stayed with him and his family on many of my visits to Thailand. I was able to visit Somyot in pre trial detention earlier this year and it was heart wrenching to see him in custody. As you can see below, Somyot’s son Tai has begun a hunger strike this week to bring attention to the plight of his father. I ask you to take a few minutes to go to the website below and sign up to the letter that you see printed below seeking at least the right of Somyot to be released on bail while he faces the charges. There is more information on this website and also on the other sites listed below. http://www.cleanclothes.org/urgent-actions/somyot-trial Thanks, Robert Reid, General Secretary, First Union.

PARIHAKA DOCUMENTARY – FUNDING NEEDED
A documentary has been made about Parihaka by film makers Paora Joseph, Gaylene Preston, Janine Martin, Tracey Egerton, and people of Parihaka called ‘Tatarakihi. Children of the Prophets’. There is a need for support to complete the project. For more info go to www.pozible.com and search under ‘Parihaka’ to find the trailer and story behind it. Please circulate among your networks.

8/9TH JUNE AUCKLAND PEACE CITY PUBLIC LAUNCH & NUCLEAR FREE NZ EVENT AOTEA SQUARE
Calling all people who support the ideals of peace, justice and a nuclear free world. ADVANCE NOTIFICATION –put into your diaries NOW, circulate among group networks to include in your calendar of major events, newsletters etc. Auckland Peace City Public Launch ~ Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone and Disarmament Legislation of 1987. Auckland Aotea Square & Centre – Friday 8th June 12:00-1:00pm. Mayor’s official Peace City launch and Opening of Peace Exhibitions celebrating New Zealand’s Nuclear Free Zone. (on show inside Aotea Centre for 3 weeks). Aotea Square – Saturday 9th June 1:00-6:00pm – multicultural PEACE celebration and performance event –music, dance, poetry, art, food stalls, children’s activities. ‘Pohutukawa for Peace Tree Planting Ceremony’ with plaque.

NICKY HAGER’S OTHER PEOPLE’S WARS HITS THE STAGE WELLINGTON APRIL 17-28
Other People’s Wars The stage play. Bats Theatre, Wellington, April 17-28. How do we get into Afghanistan? Why are we there? What happened the night Willie Apiata won his VC? Are NZ intelligence officers there on humanitarian purpose? And did we really keep out of Iraq? And can you believe ANYTHING Foreign Affairs and the Defence Forces say? In fact— are Foreign Affairs and the Defence Forces riddled with traitors working for a foreign power? Aided by Wikileaks and local Deep Throats, and some extraordinarily indiscreet material posted on Facebook, Nicky Hager’s Other People’s Wars drew alarming conclusions about the general nature of New Zealand defence policy—how it’s decided, and by whom. And now it’s on stage. As it should be. Besides the documenting of shifty departmental manoeuvres and cover-ups, there’s love, death, courage, pathos, raillery, bombast and—of course—farce; all the Shakespearean elements. The play ends with an Anzac Day ceremony and its premiere season in Wellington (April 17-28) is nicely timed to coincide with Anzac Day, April 25, the day we remember those who have given their lives for their government’s foreign policy. “Anyone familiar with Other People’s Wars will know more about New Zealand military and what it did in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Gulf than any politician in parliament.” – Nicky Hager.

CENTRE OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES – RIGHT TO HEALTH WORKSHOPS
Right to Health Workshops: The Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand (HPF), University of Otago Wellington Public Health Summer School, and the Centre for Development Studies of the University of Auckland are working together to have Professor Paul Hunt, world expert on the right to health, teach two workshops in New Zealand in February 2012. Professor Hunt, a New Zealander based at Essex University, UK, is one of the world’s leading experts on the right to health. He spent six years as the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur (expert) on the Right to Health. Wellington workshop: 14-15 February 2012, Wellington Public Health Summer School http://www.otago.ac.nz/wellington/departments/publichealth/summerschool/otago025188.html Auckland workshop: 22-23 February 2012, University of Auckland, www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/about/departments-and-schools/developmentstudies/health-and-human-rights-workshop or www.hpforum.org.nz/the-right-to-health.html For more details about the Auckland workshop, please contact: Dr Ieti Lima and Dr Alison Blaiklock, Health Promotion Forum – 09 531 5500 or Dr Carmel Williams – 021 708 396 Registrations can be made on the HPF website www.hpforum.org.nz/the-right-to-health.html

PALESTINIAN CHRISTIAN LEADER TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND FEBRUARY-MARCH 2012
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is pleased to host the Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem Claudette Habesch for a visit to New Zealand 24 February – 13 March 2012. Ms Habesch is available for media interviews. Caritas Jerusalem is the humanitarian and development organisation for the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, based in Jerusalem. It was founded in the aftermath of the Six-Day War in 1967, and Ms Habesch has led it since 1987.
She has played a leading role in the Caritas Internationalis confederation of 168 Catholic agencies working for justice, peace and development. From 1999 to 2007 she was President of Caritas Middle-East and Northern Africa region (Caritas MONA) and Vice-President of Caritas Internationalis. A passionate defender of Palestinians’ rights and peace in the region, Ms Habesch is a member of the Committee for Christian Affairs of the Palestinian Authority (PA), and of the Islamic-Christian Commission funded by the PA to support Jerusalem and the Holy Sites. She has been active since 1992 in the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and in the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees. She also participates in the inter-religious activities of Rabbis for Human Rights
Ms Habesch was born in Jerusalem. At the age of 7, during the war of independence for Israel in 1948 (called the ‘nakba’ or catastrophe by Palestinians), her family was expelled from their home in Jerusalem. They could never enter the house again and never received compensation. Palestinian families continue to be evicted from their houses in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. In a recent Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Ms Habesch retells her story and how it has influenced her work defending Palestinian rights today. ‘I am prepared to forgive them, but I will never forget the years of suffering by the little girl of 7, in whose bed another child was sleeping and whose bicycle another child was riding… I recognize the right of the State of Israel to exist in 78 percent of the territories of Mandatory Palestine, but I do not recognise its right to expel Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem and put in Jews.’ Ms Habesch has three children, two sons and one daughter, and several grandchildren. She lives with her extended family in East Jerusalem. Claudette Habesch will be a guest of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand for its Annual Lent Appeal (22 Feb – 6 April). She will be talking to parishes, church groups, social justice groups and schools. While her schedule is still being confirmed, recommended times for media interviews are below. Pre-visit interviews by phone may also be possible to arrange. For more information and to arrange an interview, contact: Martin de Jong, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, 04 496 1782 or 021 909 688. Additional Info:Watch our recently released video The Holy Land: Hearts of Hope (15 mins) on Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand health care partnership with Caritas Jerusalem in the context of the Holy Land today. More about our work with Caritas Jerusalem here.

CAMBODIAN PEOPLE’S TRIBUNAL ON MINIMUM LIVING WAGES AND DECENT WORKING CONDITIONS STARTS NEXT WEEK
The ‘People’s Tribunal on for Minimum Living Wages and Decent Working Conditions for Garment Workers as a Fundamental Right’ has been organised by the International Asia Floor Wage Alliance and the Asia Floor Wage-Cambodia (AFW-C), both coalitions of garment workers’ trade unions and workers’ rights groups. The tribunal will examine evidence from workers, multinational companies and other stakeholder groups in front of a panel of independent judges, in an effort to make public the relevant concerns of those employed in the garment sector in Cambodia. The proceedings will take place on the 5-6 February 2012 in Phnom Penh and will be overseen by a panel of five expert judges. On February 8, their finding will be presented to the press. The tribunal has been established as a response to the critically poor working conditions experienced by garment workers, particularly in regard to salaries. “Despite experiencing sustained growth in the sector Cambodia’s minimum wage allowance is $66 USD a month and is currently the lowest of all its neighbouring states. It is currently estimated that this wage amounts to around half that required to adequately meet the average worker’s basic needs.” said Tola Moeun head of Labour Programs for the Community Legal Education Centre (CLEC). Low paid workers in Cambodia are taking action against the pervasive low wages, union repression and poor working conditions. Low wages also creates malnutrition and weakness among workers affecting their long-term health and productivity. “Both Better Factories Cambodia and government representatives have attributed the phenomenon of mass fainting directly to inadequate salaries”, said Ath Thorn, President of Cambodian Labor Confederation.
In recognition of the global nature of the garment sector, which accounts for 90% of Cambodia’s exports, representatives from international brand and retailers have been invited to attend the proceedings. The Clean Clothes Campaign will participate in the tribunal and will urge global buyers sourcing from Cambodia to take the findings of the People Tribunal very serious. Frequent updates on the tribunal can be found at: http://twitter.com/afwcam http://www.facebook.com/pages/Asia-Floor-Wage-Cambodia/320157644669845?sk=info http://afwcam.wordpress.com/

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.

KMU INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY FAIR, PHILIPPINES, APRIL 24-MAY 5, 2012
We are inviting you and your organization to participate in the 28thInternational Solidarity Affair (ISA) hosted by the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) from April 24 to May 5, 2012 in Manila, Philippines. http://www.labournetaustria.at/aktion223.htm

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

WHAT’S ON

Wednesday, February 15, 7.30-9am, Old Government House, University of Auckland, Auckland City
AUCKLAND REFUGEE FAMILY TRUST BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER with MITCHELL PHAM talking on: “Born Overseas, Made in New Zealand: Refugees and Business Opportunities.” Tickets: $40 – for bookings please email: trien.steverlynck Payment for tickets can be made via internet banking to Auckland Refugee Family Trust: #38-9010-0704176-00 (Kiwibank) (reference: Surname) or by cheque to Auckland Refugee Family Trust, PO Box 47008, Ponsonby 1144 AND email trien.steverlynck with the numbers of tickets you require www.arft.org.nz http://www.facebook.com/pages/Auckland-Refugee-Family-Trust/149990401691291

Thursday, February 16, 5.30pm, NZ Herald Office, 46 Albert St, Auckland City
It’s time to go Paul Holmes – Picket NZHerald. Paul Holmes racist rantings in the Weekend Herald have the potential to cause racial disharmony. This bigot is attempting to stir up anger and ridicule against Maori and in turn sister against sister, brother against brother, friend against friend. Paul Holmes last racist column has already created a legitimation that racists and bigots around New Zealand are using to denigrate Maori. We call on all Aucklanders who oppose racism and who were offended by Holmes’s slurs to join us in a picket of the NZ Herald this Thursday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm @ NZ Herald Office, 46 Albert Street ,Auckland. http://www.facebook.com/events/239254506160211/

Thursday, February 16, 6pm, Whare Wānanga, Level 2, Central City Library, 44-46 Lorne Street, Auckland
Scotland’s Radical Exports Author Talk: Pat Kelly – Pat Kelly presents his new book Scotland’s Radical Exports: The Scots abroad – how they shaped politics and trade unions. Scotland’s Radical Exports records the determination and sacrifices of the men and women who took trade unionism and working class politics to the countries of the Scottish diaspora. Bookings highly recommended; phone 377 0209. Find out more: phone 09 301 0101 or visit www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz

Thursday, February 16, 5.30-7.30 pm, Webb’s Auction House, 18 manukau rd, newmarket, Auckland.
Invitation to Preview VAANA (Visual Artists Against Nuclear arms) Works , 16 February,

Thursday, February 16, 8pm, Auckland Rialto 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/

Friday, February 17, 7pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Aotearoa not for sale – Public meeting. Charter Schools. Crafar Farms. Deep Sea Oil Drilling by Petrobas off the East Coast. Wharfies facing the sack as Ports Of Auckland gears up to privatise. And now no Treaty when it comes to selling off public assets. New Zealand is for sale. Come to the Forum this Friday to begin organising the fightback to defend Aotearoa. Speakers: Phil Twyford, Labour MP. Matt McCarten, Mana Movement. Denise Roche, Green MP. Russell Mayn, Maritime Union of New Zealand. Joe Carolan, Aotearoa is Not for Sale. http://www.facebook.com/events/175257735910484/

Friday, February 17, 9pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Revolution rock! with Nemamo Ime, New Natives, Myth of Democracy and Rose Fischer.Koha on the door, and $3 beers! Full throttle street punk, folk, acoustic punk, indies rock alapixies/blondie/smiths, and possibly the most bad assed collection of ska in NZ are uniting in SOLIDARITY to bring you one huge night of mean sounds and good times. Proceeds to Socialist Aotearoa, the revolutionary organisation at the fore front of the political fight back against the forces of greed.

Saturday, February 18, 4pm, meet at corner of Taniwha and Silverton Ave in Glen Innes, Auckland
Saturday BBQ and community rally against evictions in Glen Innes. The Glen Innes community has pledged to resist the evictions of 156 tenants from their homes by HNZ who want to privatise their land. Support this community struggle rally on Saturday afternoon in a show of unity against the evictions. http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02/gi-will-not-be-moved.html

Monday, February 20, 7.30pm, Canterbury WEA, 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch
Will the real Terrorist please stand Up? Guest Speaker Her Excellency María del Carmen Herrera Caseiro, Cuban Ambassador to New Zealand. In April 1961, the CIA sent a force of Cuban exiles to overthrow the Cuban government. This resulted in the Bay of Pigs fiasco. Fifty years later, a new documentary shows that US-backed violence against Cuba continued for decades. The new film, with Danny Glover, anti-Cuba terrorists, and Fidel Castro himself (filmed recently) is combined with fascinating archival footage and a rare recorded interview from prison with one of the Cuban 5. These men are serving long sentences in US prisons for trying to stop terrorism against tourist sites in their country. More Information Here

Wednesday, February 22, 6pm, University of Auckland Law School Common Room, 4th Floor Building 801 at 9-17 Eden Crescent, Auckland
The Annual General Meeting of the Human Rights Foundation of Aotearoa New Zealand: Drinks and nibbles from 5:30pm. Presentation: “Poverty in NZ – A Human Rights perspective” by Professor Paul Hunt. Special Guest: Patron, Dame Silvia Cartwright. All welcome. If you wish you can also join the Human Rights Foundation online at www.humanrights.co.nz or sign up or pay your membership fee at the meeting.

Monday, February 27, 5.30pm, Lecture Theate 018, level 0, Clock Tower, 22 Princes St, Auckland University
“The Vandals at the Gate”: David Robinson, Senior Advisor to Education International.

Tuesday, February 28, 6pm, Owen Glenn Business School, 12 Grafton Road, Auckland
Global environmental trends and New Zealand’s future. I am writing to invite you to a Fabian lecture on Tuesday 28th February at 6pm at the Owen Glenn Business School, 12 Grafton Road, Auckland. Rick Boven, Director of the New Zealand Institute will discuss how global environmental trends will affect New Zealand’s future. Rick will summarise the high-level trends, identify implications for New Zealand, explain obstacles to an effective response and propose strategic priorities to reduce risks and take advantage of opportunities. Responsibilities and how to act will be presented for businesses, individuals, Government and NGOs. The lecture will be held at the Owen Glenn Business School at Auckland University, OGGB 5, Level 0,12 Grafton Road Auckland. Parking is available under the building – take lift to ground floor and walk down the stairs to the sign-posted room. You can register on our web site for the lecture here. If you know of others who would be interested, please take advantage of the ‘Tell a Friend’ feature on the registration page. Kind regards, Mike Smith, www.fabians.org.nz

Friday 2 March – Sat 3 March 9.00am – 5.00pm both days, PSA training room, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Auckland
Auckland Action Against Poverty Workshop – getting organised for 2012: Goals: Doing more work together on clarifying our plans for political action and campaigning this year, and on developing our ability to design and convey messages which accurately reflect our kaupapa, as well as helping us win over peoples’ hearts and minds. Who is invited? Anyone who supports our kaupapa (see attached), and is committed to being an active member of AAAP this year. The workshop is being provided by our friends Kotare Trust (education if you are able to make it – by 24 February, if possible. For those of you were at the earlier meeting, please note the slightly changed dates, due to Holly’s availability – we hope you are still able to take part. Cost for the workshop will be $0-$100 sliding scale. Payment is self-assessed based on what you can afford – if you can’t pay anything, that’s OK. However, any contribution you can make will be much appreciated, as it will help cover Kotare’s costs in offering the workshop. Holly Hammond is the director of Plan to Win, which helps individuals, groups and campaigns to develop the skills and clarity required to win change in the world. Holly brings twenty years of experience in social movements to her work as an educator, facilitator and mentor. For more information about Holly, see http://plantowin.net.au/people. She recently completed SmartMeme’s Advanced Story-based Practitioner’s Training in Oakland, California. This training will inform the second day of the workshop. See http://plantowin.net.au and http://smartmeme.org if you want to find out more. Morning teas and lunches provided.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"In our condition as colonial slaves, we could not observe: that "Western Civilization" disguises behind its showy facade a picture of hyenas and jackals. That is the only name that can be applied to those who have gone to fulfill such "humanitarian" tasks in the Congo. A carnivorous animal that feeds on unarmed peoples. That is what imperialism does to men." – Che Guevara – December 11, 1964, 19th General Assembly of the United Nations http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30459.htm

"Everything for everyone and nothing for ourselves" – (Para todos todo, para nosotros nada). A Zapatista slogan

" A time will come when a politician who has willfully made war and promoted international dissension will be as sure of the dock and much surer of the noose than a private homicide. It is not reasonable that those who gamble with men’s lives should not stake their own": H.G. Wells

STATS OF THE WEEK

In every U.S. state, new Corporation for Enterprise Development data show, the top 1 percent of taxpayers pay a smaller share of their incomes in state taxes than the poorest 20 percent. The median difference? In the most typical states, the poor pay state taxes at twice the rate of the rich.

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Urewera trial start, Crown propaganda begins http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00114/urewera-trial-start-crown-propaganda-begins.htm

Here is the link for the petitions about child poverty from Jazmine Heka http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52374050/Children%20Against%20Poverty%20-%20Petition%20.pdf and also the Children’s Charter: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52374050/Children%27s%20Charter.pdf

State house residents vow to resist evictions http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10785388

Families in caravans, cars as Housing NZ gets tough http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/families-in-caravans-cars-housing-nz-gets-tough-4719873

Poll shows strong Maori oppositon to asset sales http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/poll-shows-strong-maori-oppositon-asset-sales-4721840

The hidden agenda behind asset sales will hurt Maori http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/6406613/The-hidden-agenda-behind-asset-sales-will-hurt-Maori

CTU calls for cross party support on Mondayising Bill http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00065/ctu-calls-for-cross-party-support-on-mondayising-bill.htm

Catching up with Aust just got harder – PSA http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/catching-aust-just-got-harder-psa/5/114201

Tom Frewen: NZoA Board Members Commission Political Docos http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1202/S00045/tom-frewen-nzoa-board-members-commission-political-docos.htm

HOLMES

Hone Harawira: Paul Holmes, Maori have plenty to protest http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10785544

Oh dear, Paul, were you drunk when you penned this racist diatribe? http://brianedwardsmedia.co.nz/2012/02/oh-dear-paul-were-you-drunk-when-you-penned-this-racist-diatribe/

Holmes: morally repugnant and deeply racist http://mauistreet.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02/holmes-morally-repugnant-and-deeply.html

Holmes’ strange ally http://readingthemaps.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02/holmes-strange-ally.html

Paul Holmes – senile old white male syndrome http://thejackalman.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02/complaining-about-senile-old-white-guy.html

SIMON COLLINS ON DIVIDED AUCKLAND

Bridging Auckland’s wealth gap – Simon Collins looks at what can be done to tackle the widening rich-poor divide in our unequal city http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10784783

Simon Collins (Herald): Divided Auckland: Overcrowding a hotbed for infections http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10784294

Simon Collins (Herald): Dr says he sees effects of poverty on children every day http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10784293

MANA Leader Hone Harawira: Who Do You Support Maori Party? http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1202/S00154/who-do-you-support-maori-party.htm

On the Law Commission plan to scrap jury trials http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/02/14/gordon-campbell-on-the-plan-to-scrap-jury-trials/

‘Manifold sins’ cost 12 lives http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/perspective/6406474/Manifold-sins-cost-12-lives

Come clean on the public service cuts Mr Key – blog http://www.3news.co.nz/Come-clean-on-the-public-service-cuts-Mr-Key—blog/tabid/1135/articleID/242800/Default.aspx#ixzz1mQ5WLgmA

New Labour MPs call for equality and justice http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10785578

RMTU: Publically owned companies should protect, not destroy, jobs http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00113/publically-owned-companies-should-protect-not-destroy-jobs.htm

ECONOMY

Why State Capitalism Is Beating The Free Market nd why New Zealand is no good at either… by Gordon Campbell http://werewolf.co.nz/2012/02/why-state-capitalism-is-beating-the-free-market/

Banks take $3b profit overseas http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6394291/Banks-take-3b-profit-overseas

Unemployment still too high http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00083/unemployment-still-too-high.htm

Foreign ownership of our land gives overseas investors power http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/perspective/6373800/Foreign-ownership-of-our-land-gives-overseas-investors-power

Living on edge of darkness, despair http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/perspective/6373799/Living-on-edge-of-darkness-despair

Increase the Tax on Profiteering Aussie Banks http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00109/increase-the-tax-on-profiteering-aussie-banks.htm

On bank profits, and Gerry Brownlee’s asset sales plans for Christchurch http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/02/10/gordon-campbell-on-banks-and-brownlees-christchurch-sellof/

Govt defends 50c an hour minimum wage lift http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6386905/Govt-defends-50c-an-hour-minimum-wage-lift

High Court orders Crafar rethink http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10785695

FEATURES

Working Man’s Death: In today’s technological age, is heavy manual labour disappearing or is it just becoming invisible? From the exhausted mine shafts of Ukraine to the bloody slaughterhouses of Nigeria, this series offers an unflinching portrait of physical labour in the 21st century, talking to the people engaged in this dreary, demanding and, often, dangerous work http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/workingmansdeath/

Dark History in Latin America and the Struggle for Justice By Cyril Mychalejko – Elliott Abrams, a former high level State Department official during the 1980s, testified last week that the Reagan administration knew that Argentina’s military junta was systematically stealing babies from murdered and jailed democracy activists and giving them to right-wing families friendly to the regime. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30471.htm

Anniversaries From ‘Unhistory’ By Noam Chomsky – The events we fail to commemorate say as much about our national narrative as those we acknowledge. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30460.htm

The Right’s Stupidity Spreads, Enabled by a Too-polite Left By George Monbiot – Conservativism may be the refuge of the dim. But the room for rightwing ideas is made by those too timid to properly object. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/feb/06/right-stupidity-spreads-enabled-polite-left

Noam Chomsky: America’s Decline Is Real — and Increasingly Self-Inflicted http://tinyurl.com/7auvvvg

LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT

Behind the ‘Green Economy’ – A new drive to commodify nature http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=6592

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

Book review: We’re More Unequal Than You Think by Andrew Hacker http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2012/feb/23/were-more-unequal-you-think/

As the Plutonomy Powers Ahead, the "Realonomy" Remains in Recession http://www.truth-out.org/plutonomy-powers-ahead-realonomy-remains-recession/1328219553

Is anyone benefiting from the wealth of the super-rich? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16800265

The oil-funded super rich of the UAE http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16853218

Reports from the Economic Front by Martin Hart-Landsberg: Big Trouble Brewing In Europe http://media.lclark.edu/content/hart-landsberg/2012/02/10/big-trouble-brewing-in-europe/

The Entropy of Capitalism & Urban Ag: Interview with Robert Biel http://groaction.com/discover/2347/entropy-capitalism-urban-ag-robert-biel-interview/

ALBA Advances towards “Alternative Economic Model”, Pursues Anti-Imperialist Agenda http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/6789

CULTURAL DISSENT

Review: Healthcare as it should be – What is being done, in Cuba and Venezuela puts to shame the dysfunctional healthcare system of the US and exposes the Coalition government in Britain as it steers the NHS towards the profit-driven American model. Peter Arkell reports. http://www.aworldtowin.net/reviews/RevolutionaryDoctors.html

ARGENTINA

Thirty years later: Falklands flashpoint for more Malvinas mayhem? http://ww4report.com/node/10829

AUSTRALIA

Australia’s link to secret Iraq prisons http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/australias-link-to-secret-iraq-prisons-20120208-1rf10.html

BAHRAIN

Bahrain: A Forgotten Arab Spring http://www.countercurrents.org/fenley130212.htm

CUBA

How Cuba mobilises to defeat public health emergencies http://links.org.au/node/2736

GREECE

From Despair to Resistance http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/598.php#continue

Greece: a Sisyphean task http://thenextrecession.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/greece-a-sisyphean-task/

IRAN

An attack on Iran must be stopped – As the US and UK gear up for another senseless war in the Middle East, one thing is certain – it will end in disaster http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/feb/04/attack-on-iran-stopped

US Says Russia/China UN Veto "Disgusting", "Shameful", "Deplorable", "a Travesty" . . . Really?" By Arab Studies Institute – A Quick Listing of The United States’ Record of Veto Use at the United Nations (UN): 1972-2011 http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30468.htm

LIBYA

Seven killed in Libyan refugee camp: Killings at a Tripoli refugee camp highlight ongoing perse cution of black Libyans. http://aje.me/yNcgXT

NEPAL

Interview: Debating the way forward in Nepal http://tiny.cc/b2m08

PORTUGAL

Massive demonstration against cuts and austerity http://www.marxist.com/portugal-massive-demononstration-against-cuts.htm

SYRIA

Intervention in Syria will Escalate Not Stop the Killing By Seumas Milne – For the US, Britain and their allies to indulge in moral posturing over Syria or pose as friends of its people is preposterous. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/feb/07/syria-intervention-escalate-killing

Imperialism, despotism, and democracy in Syria – The stark choice between a fascist or an imperialist course in Syria should be discarded for a third and better course. By Joseph Massad, Al Jazeera, http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/02/2012269456491274.html

Arab League Report Shows that Syria Has Been Mischaracterized By WashingtonsBlog – While the Western media act like the Syrian government is wantonly and indiscriminately killing its own people without provocation, an independent investigation has found a different reality on the ground. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30462.htm

From Washington this looks like Syria’s ‘Benghazi moment’ By Robert Fisk – The West has been so deluged with stories and lectures and think-tank nonsense about the ghastly Iran and the unfaithful Iraq and the vicious Syria and the frightened Lebanon that it is almost impossible to snap off these delusional pictures and realise that Assad is not alone. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30466.htm