GPJA #418: Forum Easter Mon – Supporting the Palestinian struggle: Vivienne Porzsolt and Roger Fowler speaking.

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 418, April 5, 2012

Yes this forum is on Easter Monday as it was the only day available for our Australian guest!

GPJA April Forum: Monday 9th April, 7.30pm at Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn
Supporting the Palestinian struggle: Vivienne Porzsolt and Roger Fowler speaking. Vivienne Porzsolt, is a spokesperson for Jews Against the Occupation Sydney. Over the years, Vivienne has been engaged in a range of social justice work: the trade union movement, feminism, anti-racism including anti-apartheid and over the last 20 years, in working for a just peace in Israel-Palestine where Jews and Palestinians can live side by side in mutual respect and equality. Vivienne says: “I cannot abide what Israel is doing in my name and in that of all Jews. As a Jew I feel a special obligation to oppose it in the traditions of Jewish ethics abandoned by Israel and its Zionist supporters". She was with a group of protesters who tried to travel on a flotilla hoping to break the naval blockade in Gaza in July 2011. When the Freedom Flotilla, which included New Zealand activist Harmeet Sooden on the MV Tahrir, was turned back by the Greek coast guard, Porzsolt and NSW Green MP Sylvia Hale flew to Israel instead where they were detained by Israeli authorities for daring to say their intention in coming to Israel was to ‘visit Palestine.’ They were due for deportation but appealed this successfully in an Israeli court. Vivienne took part in the march in Jerusalem for an independent Palestine and the first march of the huge tent protests in Tel Aviv. Roger Fowler is spokesperson for Kia Ora Gaza which is a New Zealand based campaign to support the upcoming Viva Palestina Arabia International aid convoy aiming to break the Israeli siege of Gaza. The convoy, bearing construction aid, departs London on 22 April, and is due to arrive in Gaza on 15 May. Roger is one of four kiwis going with $40,000 raised for aid materials so far. For more information and for people wishing to donate to their Gaza Appeal visit http://kiaoragaza.net/ Israeli war planes and troops have frequently attacked Gaza since their brutal 22-day invasion three years ago, which left 1,400 Palestinians dead. In the last few weeks these attacks have intensified with dozens of Palestinians killed. Most victims are civilians, including women and children. Gaza has also been subjected to a crippling siege since 2007 when democratic elections resulted in a Hamas government.

AOTEAROA IS NOT FOR SALE HIKOI
Hikoi against privatisation of public assets, mining and land sales to foreign owners, and the TPPA leaves Te Rerenga Wairua on 23 April and arrives in Wellington on 5 May. Protest Rally Auckland Saturday, 28 April 2012 – 3PM Britomart, Auckland.
Q&A regarding upcoming Aotearoa is not for sale Hikoi 2012 http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/16662
Where can I get more information? Go to: rangiwhero

AFFCO LOCKOUT
CTU Welcomes Legal Challenge to AFFCO Lockout http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00077/ctu-welcomes-legal-challenge-to-affco-lockout.htm
Affco lockout move ducks Easter pay, says union http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10796088
Newsletter for Talley’s AFFCO workers, their families and supporters. Day 33, Week 5. http://goo.gl/TFKga

WHAT’S ON

Monday, April 16, 6pm, St Andrew’s on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand Workers – Then & Now Lectures by Helen Kelly and Cybèle Locke. Please come to these free lectures and the launch of Workers in the Margins: Union Radicals in Post-War New Zealand by Cybèle Locke. New Zealand is entering a new phase of industrial unrest. These lectures will connect today’s challenges with Cybèle Locke’s account of ‘marginal workers’ in the late twentieth century. As Erik Olssen says, Workers in the Margins “recaptures the mood and texture of a radical movement” and is “a substantial contribution to New Zealand scholarship that will be of great interest to all those concerned with social justice”.

Monday, April 23, 6pm, Old Government House, University of Auckland, corner of Princes Street and Waterloo Quadrant.
AUCKLAND: New Zealand Workers – Then & Now Lectures by Helen Kelly and Cybèle Locke. Please come to these free lectures and the launch of Workers in the Margins: Union Radicals in Post-War New Zealand by Cybèle Locke. New Zealand is entering a new phase of industrial unrest. These lectures will connect today’s challenges with Cybèle Locke’s account of ‘marginal workers’ in the late twentieth century. As Erik Olssen says, Workers in the Margins “recaptures the mood and texture of a radical movement” and is “a substantial contribution to New Zealand scholarship that will be of great interest to all those concerned with social justice”.

Saturday, April 28, 10am-4pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont Street, Ponsonby, Auckland
QPEC Annual meeting and forum: After last year’s great AGM and forum, there was little evidence that educational issues were to the fore in the general election. Thus the abrupt resumption of neo liberal education policies, with the announcement that charter schools would be opened in Auckland and Christchurch as part of National’s coalition agreement with ACT, came out of the blue. The forum and AGM are free, but a $10 donation toward the cost of lunch would be most welcome.

Saturday, April 28, 3pm, britomart, Downtown, Auckland
Aotearoa Is Not For Sale demonstration: Let’s get out in our thousands to march up Queen Street next month and show we’re serious that AOTEAROA IS NOT FOR SALE. For: retaining and developing public assets and services – keeping our schools, prisons, universities, hospitals and ports publicly owned; affordable electricity, education and housing; workers’ right to a good job and a liveable wage. Against: privatisation of public services, sale of public assets to private investors (local AND overseas), casualisation of labour, privatisation and pillage of our country’s resources. Most New Zealanders don’t want our public assets sold to private investors; whether they are American, Chinese, German or Kiwi, it is not in our interests to put our future into the hands of a few billionaires whose primary incentive is to make a profit for themselves. Our public assets, our schools, our jobs and our homes are all under attack. New Zealand is for sale. Come to the demonstration on Saturday April 28th to defend Aotearoa and force the government to put a stop to this madness. Invite everyone you know.
Auckland march: 3pm Saturday April 28th, From Britomart, downtown Auckland. http://www.facebook.com/events/334873306563769/

Saturday, April 28, 8.30am-5pm, St Aidan’s Church, cnr Remuera Road and Ascot Ave, Remuera, Auckland
Church, State & WAR – ECUMENICAL Study Day Paul Oestreicher • Richard Jackson • Stephen Tollestrup • Thomas Noakes-Duncan. This Study Day has been arranged by the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship NZ Branch in conjunction with the New Zealand Christian Network. Fee $20, to be paid on the day. Lunch, morning and afternoon tea provided.

Tuesday, May 1, 1pm, Aotera Square, Auckland
On 1st May Unite Waitemata is initiating a protest against the Social Security Reform Bill. All who share our opposition are invited and indeed urged to participate. We will be assembling at Aotea Sq at 1:00P.M. where there will be speeches and street theatre, then marching in a pram parade to the Queen St WINZ office.

Tuesday, May 1, 7pm, Rm 3402, Engineering Building, Auckland University, 20 Symonds St, Auckland
Auckland Philippines Solidarity is pleased to invite you to join the film screening on "Ka Bel" a May Day Productions documentary on the life of Philippines and International Working Class Leader CRISPIN "Ka Bel" Beltran. Ticket costs $10. Proceeds will go to the Crispin Beltran Resource Center and APS solidarity campaigns. To order tickets, please email ph.solidarity or contact Helen Te Hira at 098348690 or Dennis Maga at 0226073918. Drinks from 6.30pm.

June 8 & 9, Aotea Square, Auckland
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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

URGENT – SUBMISSIONS TO SAVE HECTORS & MAUI’S DOLPHINS NEEDED
Hi everyone, As you have no doubt heard the numbers of Maui’s dolphins left alive are estimated at only 55 individuals. These are our local dolphins, living only on the west coast of the North Island. They are the smallest and rarest dolphins in the world & each individual now represents 2% of the entire population. We cannot afford to lose a single one if they are not to face extinction. What a disgrace for New Zealand to be the first country in the world to allow a cetacean species to become extinct, so much for clean & green. You can help by making a brief submission to MAF before 11 April to support increased protection for these dolphins. A suggested proforma submission is below with the key points to make. It will carry more weight if you put it in your own words, but making the points below is very important.

Send your submission to kara.mckelvey and also sign the petition and the submission at www.hectorsdolphins.com Please spread the word far & wide & get as many submissions out there as possible, before 11 April. Also everyone is invited to join the Funeral March for Maui’s – this Saturday 7 April 10.30am from Kumeu Arts Centre, 300 Main Rd Kumeu. Wear black & bring a cut out dolphin for a silent march to John Key’s office where we’ll leave him a dolphin graveyard, cos that’s what we’ll have out there if their protection is inadequate – and what the Govt is proposing is very inadequate. The only fish caught by the gillnets that are killing these dolphins is used for fish & chips – and can be caught just as efficiently on long lines. The fishery is only worth $6m gross per year (that’s about $600k profit). Is it worth losing a species and our national reputation for that? Tourists coming to swim with Hector’s Dolphins in the South Island will spend far more – but will they still come when there are no dolphins?

Suggested submission: Send to: Marine and kara.mcKelvey

To whom it may concern, Thanks for the opportunity to submit on the Ministry of Fisheries and Department of Conservation consultation documents on temporary extended protection for Maui’s dolphins. We support the measures proposed but they do not go far enough to protect the dolphins from any human induced deaths which is what’s required if this species is to survive.
We call on the Government and its agencies to reduce the accidental by-catch and and other threats to Maui’s (and Hector’s dolphins) to zero, through the following means:

• Complete protection of Maui’s and Hector’s throughout their range – out to the 100m depth contour, and right along the coast including protection of the corridor down the North Island West Coast to Golden and Tasman Bays so there is safe movement of both Hector’s and Maui’s between the two islands.
• Complete protection from set nets within all West Coast Harbours
• Proper and comprehensive monitoring and enforcement, with observers on all commercial fishing boats within Maui’s & Hector’s range
• Controls on seismic testing and seabed mining in the dolphins’ habitat.
• Comprehensive monitoring and enforcement with observers on all commercial fishing boats in the Maui’s (and Hector’s habitat), and better education, monitoring and enforcement of recreational fishing.

In conclusion, we support all measures that will save these dolphins, and because their numbers are so low, we urge the Government to adopt the precautionary approach. Please notify us of further submission opportunities. Thank you

WHO WILL WIN THE 2011 ROGER AWARD FOR THE WORST TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OPERATING IN AOTEAROA/NZ?
All will be revealed on FRIDAY APRIL 20, 7.30 p.m. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HALL 28 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch. The eight finalists are: Adidas, Newmont Waihi Gold, Oceania, New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Ltd/Rio Tinto Alcan NZ Ltd, Sajo Oyang Corporation, Sky City, Telecom and Westpac. There is one finalist for the Accomplice Award – the Government (in its own right and accompanying both Sajo Oyang and Telecom). Click here for the downloadable flyer for the event hcafca Murray Horton, Secretary/Organiser. CAFCA, Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa, Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand cafca www.cafca.org.nz

WHITE POPPIES FOR PEACE ANNUAL APPEAL 17-24 APRIL 2012
This message to remind you about the 2012 White Poppies for Peace Annual Appeal. There are street collections in Wellington and Dunedin again this year – details of both street collections are below, as well as information about the white poppy, the Annual Appeal and how you can support it, and an update on the White Poppy Peace Scholarships. This information is available online at http://www.whitepoppies.org.nz (including the printable formatted edition of this message) and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/notes/peace-movement-aotearoa/white-poppies-for-peace-annual-appeal-17-to-24-april-2012/340135272700515
About the white poppy: The white poppy is an international symbol of remembrance for all the casualties of war, civilians and armed forces personnel, and of peace. Some people wear it as an alternative to the red poppy, others see it as complementary; some choose to wear both poppies, some one or the other, and some no poppy at all. More information about the white poppy is available at http://www.whitepoppies.org.nz White poppies are available for a donation to the White Poppy Peace Scholarships. The White Poppies for Peace Appeal is held annually from 17 to 24 April. The Annual Appeal is the main fundraiser for the White Poppy Peace Scholarships.
How you can support the Appeal: There are three ways you can support the Annual Appeal – helping with a street collection, having a collection box so you can collect donations, or ordering white poppies for yourself or your group.
1) Helping with a street collection in Wellington and Dunedin. Wellington: the street collection in Wellington is on Monday, 23 April, and there will be three collections in and around the central city: from 7am to 8.30am, from 12.30pm to 2pm, and from 4.30pm to 6pm. If you can help with the Wellington street collection, please email whitepoppies as soon as possible and let us know what time/s you are available. Please include your phone number in your message, thank you. Dunedin: the street collection in Dunedin is on Monday, 23 April, and there will be collections at various locations around Dunedin, including the Peace Pole on the Museum Green and in George Street, times to be confirmed. If you can help with the Dunedin street collection, please email whitepoppies as soon as possible, include your phone number in your message, and let us know what time/s you are available on the 23rd. Please note that your email and phone number will be passed on to the Dunedin collection coordinator.
2) White poppies collection boxes. You could: a) have a white poppies collection box: at your work, school, church or other community place during the appeal week (this will be delivered or posted to you depending on where you live); or b) organise a special or one-off collection: ask your church or place of worship if they would consider having a white poppy appeal collection around the time of the Annual Appeal, or arrange a collection at a community group or other public meeting during the Appeal week. Each collection box contains white poppies and white poppy information cards, as well as guidelines for collectors, a parcel post SAE to return the box, and a standard SAE to return the money collected (account details are included if you would prefer to do a bank transfer). If you would like to be sent a white poppies collection box, please email whitepoppies as soon as possible and let us know: how many collection boxes you require; the approximate number of white poppies you would like; and your name and postal / delivery address. If you already have a collection box, please include the box / badge number in your message.
3) Ordering white poppies. If you would like to order some white poppies for yourself or your group (rather than have a collection box), please use the form available at whitepoppies – please note that all orders for the Annual Appeal need to be received as soon as possible, thank you.
About the White Poppy Peace Scholarships: The White Poppy Peace Scholarships comprise at least two grants that are awarded each year to assist with research into: the impacts of militarism, militarisation and warfare; alternatives to militarism, militarisation and warfare; or collective non-violent responses to state violence. The Peace Scholarships are for students studying at any tertiary education institution in Aotearoa New Zealand. Each grant is a minimum of $1,000 – one is for a Maori or Moriori student, with the other/s open to any student with New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency. The White Poppy Peace Scholarships were launched in October 2009, and the first two Scholarships were awarded in April 2010 to Ryan Bodman and Marianne Bevan. Ryan’s dissertation ‘Don’t be a conscript, be a man!’: A History of the Passive Resisters’ Union, 1912 – 1914 and a summary of Marianne’s dissertation ‘The Hero Stuff’ and the ‘Softer Side of Things’: Exploring Masculinities in Gendered Police Reform in Timor-Leste are available on the White Poppy Peace Scholarship web site at http://www.peacescholar.org.nz The 2011 White Poppy Peace Scholarships recipients were Karly Christ and Audrey Wong – information about their research, which will be completed this year, is available at http://www.peacescholar.org.nz The recipients of the 2012 White Poppy Peace Scholarships will be announced prior to this year’s Appeal.
How you can support the White Poppy Peace Scholarships: You can support the peace scholarships by making a donation during the Annual Appeal or at any time during the year – your generosity will help to promote peace by directly supporting research into alternatives to militarism and war, and collective non-violent responses to state violence. To make a donation by cheque, please use the form available at whitepoppies and we will provide the details for you – a tax credit receipt is sent for all donations.
Contact details: White Poppies for Peace, c/o Peace Movement Aotearoa, PO Box 9314, Wellington 6141; email whitepoppies web site http://www.whitepoppies.org.nz

GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION ON MILITARY SPENDING, 17 APRIL 2012
Last year global military expenditure was $1,630 billion (US), on average nearly $4.5 billion a day. By way of contrast, an average of more than 24,000 children under the age of five die every day from mainly preventable causes – lack of access to adequate food, clean water and basic medicines. This is one of the prices paid, the collateral damage that is seldom talked about, for maintaining armed forces in a state of combat readiness around the world. An invitation to take part in the second Global Day of Action on Military Spending, 17 April – there are two sections below: 1) Getting involved in the Global Day of Action, and 2) Background information. This message is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/gdams12.htm

WE NEED FURNITURE!
On April 20th the latest group of Quota refugee families will leave Mangere Refugee Reception Centre to go to the first home they have ever had in Auckland….At the moment, though, those homes are unfurnished. Before moving day, we will need to collect the following things in order to make these new houses new homes: Beds: We will need 30 single beds & 8 double or queen beds; 12 coffee tables; 15 chests of drawers; 10 dining table & chairs; 10 couches; 5 car seats; 15 throw rugs (for uncarpeted floors); 15 heaters; Gardening equipment (limited, though, so please call to discuss). Everything should be in really good condition – clean, without holes, without significant marks, etc. Our drivers are not authorised to accept furniture that is broken or unstable or that has missing parts. If you are able to donate any of the furniture or household goods listed above, we would love to hear from you! We may consider other items, as well. Please contact Chandra at Refugee Services if you can help. Our drivers can pick up furniture on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Alternatively you are welcome to deliver to us at a mutually convenient time. Chandra is happy to arrange a pickup from your premises or a drop-off at our warehouse. Please contact her on: T: (09) 621 0014 M: (021) 228 2371 or chandra.yogeswaran

"IT’S TIME TO RETURN TO PALESTINE" – MESSAGE FROM KIA ORA GAZA
This weekend of escalating violence in Gaza, the worst since Israel’s deadly ‘Cast Lead’ attacks 3 years ago, has resulted in 16 Gazan deaths and at least 30 injured. Many of those killed by Israeli fighter jets or drones, had their heads blasted off. Some groups of Gazan militants retaliated with a barrage of largely ineffective mortars over the border fences. Israel claims their victims were ‘planning to attack Israel’. Three were killed near the Palestinian Legislative Council buildings, which suffered severe damage during the Cast Lead bombardments. The Kia Ora Gaza team saw that destruction during the Viva Palestina convoy visit in 2010. "Many world leaders who talk about ‘defending democracy’, failed to condemn Israel’s attacks on the parliament buildings of the democratically elected government in Gaza" observed Kia Ora Gaza team leader, Roger Fowler. Responding to the latest attacks, Kevin Ovenden, who will lead the next Viva Palestina 6 aid convoy from London next month, declared "It’s time to return to Palestine – physically and in our actions". People wishing to support the Kiwi team on this siege-busting convoy, can visit office

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“If belief and participation in democracy are sustained by people’s conviction that democracy produces good economic outcomes, then the growing concentration of wealth and income in the United States is a long-term threat to everything we profess to stand for.”

Harold Meyersen, The rich are different; they get richer, Washington Post, March 27, 2012

"We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine; and remember that we are not descended from fearful men. Not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate, and to defend causes that were for the moment unpopular. This is no time for men . . . to keep silent, or for those who approve. We can deny our heritage and our history, but we cannot escape responsibility for the result. There is no way for a citizen of a republic to abdicate his responsibilities." – Edward R. Murrow

"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act" – George Orwell

"Those who don’t read the news are uninformed, those who do are misinformed." – Mark Twain

"Those who do not move, do not notice their chains." – Rosa Luxemburg

STATS OF THE WEEK

The snow may be slowing in Aspen, the top spot in North America for super-rich skiers. But property values are soaring. The Colorado mountain town saw 13 properties sell for over $10 million in 2011, up from just eight in 2010.

Eduardo Porter, The Case for Raising Top Tax Rates, New York Times, March 27, 2012. Top tax rates could go as high as 80 percent or more, a growing body of research shows, without undermining the economy.

To earn as much as much as America’s top-earning hedge fund manager made for one hour’s labor in 2011, calculates economic analyst Les Leopold, the typical America family would have to work 29.2 years.

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Harawira declares war on ‘corporate takeover’ of NZ http://www.newswire.co.nz/2012/03/harawira-declares-war-on-corporate-takeover/

Matt McCarten: ACC, media mess puts left on right track at last http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10795816

The State House Sell-Off at What Price? http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1203/S00405/the-state-house-sell-off-at-what-price.htm

Treasury’s class size comments refuted by expert http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10795324

Social determinants of health and outcomes in New Zealand http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(12)60444-9/fulltext?version=printerFriendly

MANA is still young and yet for all of that we are matching it with the big boys. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1203/S00319/mana-is-still-young-and-yet-for-all-of-that-we-are-matching.htm

Health of Māori Children and Young People with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/health-maori-children-and-young-people-chronic-conditions-and-disabilities

Scott Hamilton: Lessons from Bradford http://readingthemaps.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/from-bradford-to-auckland.html

Shameful welfare bill passes first reading http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1203/S00354/shameful-welfare-bill-passes-first-reading.htm

Ohariu MP Peter Dunne challenged to revoke his confidence and supply agreement over secret international investment negotiations http://www.nznotforsale.org/2012/03/19/ohariu-mp-peter-dunne-challenged/

Activist gets off cannabis charges http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6651801/Activist-gets-off-cannabis-charges

Protest marches next in asset sales war http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/6650173/Protest-marches-next-in-asset-sales-war

SkyCity pokie deal ‘filthy’ – extended footage http://www.3news.co.nz/SkyCity-pokie-deal-filthy—extended-footage/tabid/1607/articleID/248140/Default.aspx

Casino failing to stop problem gamblers http://www.3news.co.nz/Casino-failing-to-stop-problem-gamblers/tabid/1607/articleID/249033/Default.aspx

Editorial: Pokies no way to pay for new centre http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/editorials/6695421/Editorial-Pokies-no-way-to-pay-for-new-centre

Flaws and benefits of pokies http://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/editorial/204267/flaws-and-benefits-pokies

Tim Parke: Private healthcare threatens public http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10792353

Keep Our Assets campaign calls on kiwis to make submissions http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00014/keep-our-assets-campaign-calls-on-kiwis-to-make-submissions.htm

Protesters delay state house demolition http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/6680421/Protesters-delay-state-house-demolition

Police stats show drop in recorded crime http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10796158

Hungry kids scandalous report http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/hungry-kids-scandalous-report/1326698/

Dotcom allowed back on the net http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10796135

Submission guide on the Government Bill to partially privatise our energy companies http://www.greens.org.nz/takeaction/submissionguides/mixed-ownership-model-bill

Farmers short-changed by process http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1204/S00044/farmers-short-changed-by-process.htm

Kiwis first to take part in Global March to Jerusalem http://kiaoragaza.net/

Shameful welfare bill passes first reading http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1203/S00354/shameful-welfare-bill-passes-first-reading.htm

Safeguard families and protect the sacred role of parents http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1203/S00357/safeguard-families-and-protect-the-sacred-role-of-parents.htm

Judging Others – Opinion: Beneficiary Advisory Service http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1203/S00346/judging-others.htm

Catherine Delahunty speaks in the House against the Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Bill http://www.greens.org.nz/speeches/catherine-delahunty-speaks-house-against-social-security-youth-support-and-work-focus-amend

Brian Rudman: Lest we forget modern kamikazes http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10796480

60 Minutes: The Big Gamble http://www.tv3.co.nz/Apr-1—The-Big-Gamble/tabid/1343/articleID/76548/Default.aspx

Ohariu Citizens’ Select Committee oral submissions hearing http://peoplespowernz.wordpress.com/

PPPs not a solution for better buses and trains http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1203/S00401/ppps-not-a-solution-for-better-buses-and-trains.htm

Global March to Jerusalem commemorating Land Day in Palestine begins in Aotearoa-New Zealand http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1203/S00655/gmj-commemorating-land-day-in-palestine-begins.htm

High imprisonment rates increase cost without reducing crime http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO201203/S00324.htm

NZ Prison system derided by international study http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO201203/S00325.htm

Search and Surveillance Bill passes http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6625136/Search-and-Surveillance-Bill-passes

Fears new surveillance law too powerful http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/fears-new-surveillance-law-too-powerful-4793546

Harawira on search and surveillance bill http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PA201203/S00304.htm

PORTS OF AUCKLAND DISPUTE

Mediation discussions cause concern http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00058/mediation-discussions-cause-concern.htm

MUNZ Wins But Lock-Out Battle Continues http://www.mua.org.au/news/munz-wins-but-lock-out-battle-continues/

Backdown by ports bosses http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6670547/Backdown-by-ports-bosses

Ports should be covered by information laws http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00065/ports-should-be-covered-by-information-laws.htm

MUNZ – Won: POAL – Nil http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2012/03/munz-won-poal-nil.html

The Winners and Losers of the 2012 Port lockout http://tumeke.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/winners-and-losers-of-2012-port-lockout.html

April 2: Fallout likely to linger, warn global union leaders http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10796016

March 31: Elation as port reversal clears path to work http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10795729

March 30: Port lockout notice lifted http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10795554

Ports plans now looking like a train wreck http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1203/S00972/ports-plans-now-looking-like-a-train-wreck.htm

ITF welcomes ‘common sense’ decision in Ports of Auckland dispute http://www.itfglobal.org/press-area/index.cfm/pressdetail/7255

Auckland residents and businesses will be mortified with lack of plan to get Port moving again http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1203/S00829/auckland-residents-and-businesses-will-be-mortified-by-port.htm

Local Board Members call for Auckland Council Governing Body to act on Ports Lockout http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1203/S00311/local-board-members-want-auckland-council-to-act-on-ports.htm

General Debate – Ports of Auckland – Denise Roche http://www.greens.org.nz/speeches/general-debate-ports-auckland-denise-roche

Mana: Sack the board say Minto http://mana.net.nz/2012/03/sack-the-board-john-minto-mana-vp/

Court finds union case ‘seriously arguable’ http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/court-finds-union-case-seriously-arguable/5/119143 Judgement http://tinyurl.com/d8l3mbs

Cost of the Ports Dispute? http://robertwinter.blogspot.co.nz/2012/03/cost-of-ports-dispute.html

Campbell’s exit big blow for ports board http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10795652

Video March 22: Port workers respond to lockout http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/video.cfm?c_id=3&gal_objectid=10795652&gallery_id=124692

Considering the Ports of Auckland dispute in the light of Catholic social teaching http://www.catholicjusticeauckland.org.nz/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=9PsdMVnMjck%3d&tabid=7785&language=en-NZ

UREWERA VERDICTS

Urewera police job a disgrace http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1203/S00302/urewera-police-job-a-disgrace.htm

True cost of Urewera case closer to $14 million http://tumeke.blogspot.co.nz/2012/03/true-cost-of-urewera-case-closer-to-14.html

Parihaka on the verdict for the Urewera Four http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1203/S00280/parihaka-on-the-verdict-for-the-urewera-four.htm

ACC VIPs get ‘preferential treatment’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10796116

Chris Trotter: Lies, Damn Lies, and Mainstream Media Polling. http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/lies-damn-lies-and-mainstream-media.html

Student Allowance parental income threshold frozen http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA201203/S00386.htm

WORKRIGHTS NZ

CTU submission at Pike River Inquiry http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00033/ctu-to-submit-at-pike-river-inquiry.htm

Bigger health and safety role for miners http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6677030/Bigger-health-and-safety-role-for-miners

Members Bill to extend Paid Parental Leave welcomed http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00085/members-bill-to-extend-paid-parental-leave-welcomed.htm

Outsourcing fishing observers role is dangerous for the industry http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1203/S00904/outsourcing-fishing-observers-role-is-dangerous-for-industry.htm

Industrial action spreads at Oceania http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00037/industrial-action-spreads-at-oceania.htm

Support for Oceania workers http://www.nzno.org.nz/activities/media_releases/articletype/articleview/articleid/1194/support-for-oceania-strikes-grows Send an ecard http://www.nzno.org.nz/home/campaigns/epostcard/epostcard5?send=15&stock=1

Union campaigns for decent wages http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00008/union-campaigns-for-decent-wages.htm

Tapu Misa: C-words that don’t help anyone except bosses http://www.nzherald.co.nz/employment-relations/news/article.cfm?c_id=189&objectid=10791363

Time to talk about a living wage – SFWU http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00067/time-to-talk-about-a-living-wage-sfwu.htm

Corporate manslaughter or corporate murder? http://rdln.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/corporate-manslaughter-or-corporate-murder/

NZ ECONOMY

Low tax for me, high tax for thee by Rob Salmond – Our tax system asks too much of those with little, and too little of those with much. http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/low-tax-for-me-high-tax-for-thee

Tax: Everything in Combination by Rob Salmond – If we think about our taxes one at a time, we might think one thing. But if you consider them all together, a different picture emerges. http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/tax-everything-in-combination

Jane Kelsey:US Abandons Fig-Leaf of Transparency & Cancels TPPA Stakeholder Programme http://tppwatch.org/2012/04/04/us-abandons-fig-leaf-of-transparency-cancels-tppa-stakeholder-programme/

Phillip Fergusson: Whatever happened to the leisure society? http://rdln.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/whatever-happened-to-the-leisure-society/

Chris Trotter: Capitalism’s astonishing victory hurts most of us http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/columnists/chris-trotter/6582203/Capitalisms-astonishing-victory-hurts-most-of-us

Dangerous booms – Geoff Bertram warns that the NZ west coast mining boom could be dangerous. Because booms end. http://offsettingbehaviour.blogspot.co.nz/2012/03/dangerous-booms.html

Growth in economy weak http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1203/S00289/growth-in-economy-weak.htm

Bill Rosenerg: What is the TPPA? The Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that could have much wider implications than dairy tariffs for the countries signing it, such as New Zealand and the U.S. http://www.universalsubtitles.org/en/videos/aDaIiJsxNHlA/info/what-is-the-tppa/

Numbers reveal National disgrace http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10795790

CTU: Government finances show mismanagement http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00052/government-finances-show-mismanagement.htm

Murray Horton on Roger Award and asset sales+ Crafar Farms – Hear Earthwise on podcast on www.plainsfm.org.nz/podcasts/ then go to

Earthwise

CTU: Where is the ‘more jobs’ target? http://union.org.nz/news/2012/where-%E2%80%98more-jobs%E2%80%99-target

More heat in power struggle as prices go up http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6673660/More-heat-in-power-struggle-as-prices-go-up

FEATURES

Get Political! slideshow: Introduction to Marxism http://links.org.au/node/2794

Austerity in the Mind Factory by Alan Sears – Educational struggles are breaking out all over. In March 2012, over 200,000 Quebec students are waging a general strike against tuition increases and have faced brutal police repression. http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/610.php#continue

International: ‘"Head of UN Gender Entity Expresses ‘Deep Regret’ as Commission on Status of Women Concludes without Adopting Agreed Conclusions" http://www.wluml.org/news/international-head-un-gender-entity-expresses-deep-regret-commission-status-women-concludes-wit

Public Education "Failure by Design," By Noam Chomsky: "There has been a shift from the belief that we as a nation benefit from higher education, to a belief that it’s the people receiving the education who primarily benefit and so they should foot the bill," http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30985.htm

Up, Up And Away: How Money Power Works Down Under By John Pilger – As in Britain and America, the unions have long been tamed, co-opted and policed by their own leaderships. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30887.htm

Obama’s Afghanistan Massacre Deniers – Why do liberals ignore millions of non-American war deaths? Victims in the village of Kandahar are just the latest among six million who have perished in America’s wars-of-choice in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and now the Central Asian graveyard of empires, Afghanistan. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30883.htm

Capitalism: A Ghost Story By Arundhati Roy – Capitalism’s real "grave-diggers" may end up being its own delusional Cardinals, who have turned ideology into faith. Despite their strategic brilliance, they seem to have trouble grasping a simple fact: Capitalism is destroying the planet.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30877.htm

LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT

Decolonization Against Austerity: Support Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug’s Battle Against Mining! Nathan Prier and Max Johnson http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/609.php#continue

Food Fights – RICHARD J. EVANS | The use of food as a weapon during World War II. http://www.thenation.com/article/167059/food-fights?rel=emailNation

The Global Water Grab: A Primer http://www.tni.org/primer/global-water-grab-primer

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

Rents are too high: The Apple edition – Many economists wonder whether society could get the same effort from entrepreneurs if financial rewards were decreased. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/03/201232085932116344.html

Washington’s Loss of Control Over World Bank is a Big Historic Change http://www.cepr.net/index.php/op-eds-&-columns/op-eds-&-columns/washingtons-loss-of-control-over-world-bank-is-a-big-historic-change

NYT Chart: The great Prosperity and the Great Regression http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2011/09/04/opinion/04reich-graphic.html?ref=sunday

Reports from the Economic Front by Martin Hart-Landsberg – We Are Not All In It Together http://tinyurl.com/7v434fa

Muppets vs. Goldman Sachs http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/0431c2b257/muppets-vs-goldman-sachs?playlist=featured_videos

CULTURAL DISSENT

Film: The Hunger Games – ‘The only thing stronger than fear is hope’ Jo Gough reviews The Hunger Games film. http://tinyurl.com/7m6jh7s

Emma Thompson backs Israel boycott for Shakespeare festival http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/65977/emma-thompson-backs-israel-boycott-shakespeare-festival

AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan: Graveyard of imperial intervention – Former soldier Joe Glenton puts an impassioned case for learning the lessons of history and ending the Afghan War now. http://tinyurl.com/6wv9yl6

Anatomy of a Massacre

Eye Witness Report Of Recent Afghan Massacre – Must Watch Video Report – Yalda Hakim travels to the villages where the massacre took place and interviews survivors of the attack. Many Afghans, including some of the survivors that night, believe more than one U.S. soldier was present in the two villages where the killings took place. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30942.htm

AUSTRALIA

A call for peace and justice in the Holy Land http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/a-call-for-peace-and-justice-in-the-holy-land-20120326-1vus0.html#ixzz1qRUyKuZ3

Anzac Day – And The Band Played Waltzing Mathilda http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30977.htm

BAHRAIN

Bahrain’s government must stop killing its people, and listen to them: We in al-Wefaq want only a genuinely democratic constitutional monarchy built on dialogue, not weapons http://bit.ly/HUzdbP

BOLIVIA

Bolivia Has Transformed Itself by Ignoring the Washington Consensus By Luis Hernández Navarro – By breaking with orthodox prescriptions for progress, Evo Morales has helped to forge a new Bolivia centered on ‘living well’ http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30880.htm

BURMA

Why Burma Shouldn’t Listen to the IMF – If Burma’s leaders really want to revive their economy, they can start by giving a cold shoulder to the Washington Consensus. http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/03/27/why_burma_shouldn_t_listen_to_the_imf

CANADA

Mulcair’s Victory: A New Direction for the NDP? By Richard Fidler http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/611.php

Diverse gathering for pipeline protest http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/local/2012/03/26/19552631.html

Global Economic Crisis and Canadian Austerity – Perception versus Reality http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/ls132.php

Huge student protest movement continues in Canada http://www.counterfire.org/index.php/news/15685-huge-student-protest-movement-continues-in-canada

COLOMBIA

Colombia: The end for guerrilla warfare? http://links.org.au/node/2796

Concern for Liliany Obando in Midst of Worsening Threats Against Colombian Human Rights Defenders http://afgj.org/concern-for-liliany-obando-in-midst-of-worsening-threats-against-colombian-human-rights-defenders

CUBA

Revolutionary Doctors: How Venezuela and Cuba are Changing the World’s Conception of Health Care http://tinyurl.com/c9ee8c5

The Burial Of Our Species – The Roads Leading to Disaster By Fidel Castro http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30897.htm

Does anyone by chance think that the United States will be capable of acting with the independence that will keep it from the inevitable disaster awaiting it? http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30897.htm

EGYPT

Feminism, muslim women and the Egyptian Revolution http://tinyurl.com/85dfvao

Egypt’s Looming Economic Shock Doctrine http://www.thenation.com/article/167159/egypts-looming-economic-shock-doctrine?rel=emailNation

The Dangerous Mess in Syria Grows Murkier By Eric Margolis – US, British and some European media keep depicting Syria’s civil war as a simple passion play pitting the evil Asad regime in Damascus against mostly unarmed democratic protestors.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30908.htm

GREECE

Greece: the parades of anger – Greek society is still within a cycle of protest and contention of an almost insurrectionary character writes Panagiotis Sotiris. http://tinyurl.com/83x5jx7

HAITI

Cholera Infections Rising Again in Haiti as Rainy Season Begins, Highlighting Urgency for NGOs, Agencies to Redouble Their Efforts, CEPR Co-Director Says http://tinyurl.com/74ksdw2

HONDURAS

Democrats press Obama over US complicity with Honduras’ dirty war – America’s backing for a regime that is murdering opponents and journalists is a shameful blot on this administration’s record http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/mar/22/democrats-press-obama-us-complicity-honduras

INDONESIA

Indonesia: Victims still waiting for truth and justice for past human rights violations http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1203/S00536/indonesia-victims-still-waiting-for-truth-and-justice.htm

IRAQ

Blackwater Videos Show Guards In Iraq Firing Weapons ‘Enthusiastically,’ Vehicles Hitting Civilians: One video shows a contractor randomly and "enthusiastically" firing an AK-47 from the turret of an armored vehicle and another shows a private guard yelling obscenities at passers-by and other armored cars smashing into civilian vehicles: http://bit.ly/HodtFt

IRELAND

Austerity’s Wake: Why Ireland’s Spending Cuts Should Scare Us, Too http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/03/austeritys-wake-why-irelands-spending-cuts-should-scare-us-too/255181/

JAPAN

Hangings in Japan significant step backwards http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/hangings-japan-significant-step-backwards-2012-03-29

LIBYA

NATO Failed to Investigate Libya Civilian Deaths: Amnesty http://www.globalpolicy.org/home/195-libya/51451-nato-failed-to-investigate-libya-civilian-deaths-amnesty.html

22 people killed in Libya in clashes between rival towns country’s west http://tinyurl.com/75nqyuu

Libyan Exodus:: Rising Tensions in Libya Lead to Congestion at Tunisian Border Crossings: In the past 24 hours alone, between 10,000 and 12,000 Libyans have entered Tunisia, the highest level in months. http://bit.ly/HjiyCW

MALI

Militarized by the big powers, Mali suffers a coup d’etat http://canadahaitiaction.ca/content/militarized-big-powers-mali-suffers-coup-detat

MEXICO

Mexican Unions Enter the National Elections Deeply Divided by Dan La Botz http://www.newpol.org/node/606

Mexico’s Former Foreign Minister Slams President Calderon for Escalating Drug War: ‘It’s Not Worth 50,000 Murders": Jorge Castañeda, the former foreign minister of Mexico, gave a strong interview to NPR’s "Tell Me More" program this afternoon. Castañeda, a longtime legalization advocate, supported Pres. Calderon during his campaign, but became a critic over the Calderon drug war escalation. http://bit.ly/HlLVno

PACIFIC

Maire Leadbeater: Treason Trial threatens fundamental rights http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10794708

Young Leaders Vital To Carry Tongan Reforms Forward, Says Maka http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2012/03/young-leaders-vital-to-carry-tongan-reforms-forward-says-council-chair/

PALESTINE

FILM: Roadmap to Apartheid http://roadmaptoapartheid.org/

URGENT APPEAL NAME: Hanaa’ Yahya Al-Shalabi VIOLATIONS: Illegal Administrative Detention – Please take immediate action to help save the life of Palestinian female political prisoner Hanaa’ Yahya Al-Shalabi who has been detained by Israeli authorities without any charge whatsoever. http://www.palestinematters.com/End-Administrative-Detention-and-release-hunger-striker-Hanaa-Shalabi_Appeal_82.aspx

After the Arab Spring in Palestine: Contesting the Neoliberal Narrative of Palestinian National Liberation http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/4789/after-the-arab-spring-in-palestine_contesting-the-

Palestinian rights activists join BDS Global Day of Action commemorating Land Day http://www.bdsmovement.net/2012/palestinian-rights-activists-join-bds-global-day-of-action-commemorating-land-day-8809#.T3z1c6uJSVG

New report documents systematic abuse of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention: In the past 11 years alone, around 7,500 children, some as young as 12 years, are estimated to have been detained, interrogated, and imprisoned within this system. This averages out at between 500-700 children per year, or nearly two children, each and every day. http://bit.ly/GGkcjg

PORTUGAL

Strike brings Portuguese services to a halt: Union group calls for general strike against austerity measures amid fears eurozone country could need second bailout. http://aje.me/GKCGLc

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia: protests in the centre of counter revolution – The opposition in Saudi Arabia is calling for democratic and social reforms – but the movement is ignored by the international media and Western governments. http://tinyurl.com/cc42cyv

SPAIN

Huge general strike could mark turning of tide http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/50564

SYRIA

Syria Was Not Libya After All – Bid to Overthrow Assad Fails http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/03/26/bid-to-overthrow-assad-fails/

UK

The Hood Robin Budget http://tinyurl.com/7ool8wm

George Galloway hails ‘Bradford spring’ as Labour licks its wounds http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/mar/30/george-galloway-bradford-spring-labour

Bradford West result was symptom of UK’s brutal north-south divide – Britain is not alone in having depressed regions, but nowhere else is the problem so big and the desire to fix it so small by larry Elliott http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/apr/01/bradford-west-north-south-divide

Galloway Wins – Posted on Lenin’s Tomb (Richard Seymour, UK), March 30, 2012 http://leninology.blogspot.ca/2012/03/

Galloway victory: a landslide against war and austerity http://www.counterfire.org/index.php/articles/analysis/15676

Shock slowdown in UK growth raises double-dip fears http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/9170874/Shock-slowdown-in-UK-growth-raises-double-dip-fears.html#disqus_thread

USA

More than two-thirds oppose war in Afghanistan http://www.thenation.com/blog/167051/more-two-thirds-oppose-afghan-war?rel=emailNation

Anti-war activists gather in Stamford http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Anti-war-activists-gather-in-Stamford-3432483.php

Trayvon Martin: a transformative moment for America? http://tinyurl.com/7kembkc

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

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

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.