GPJA #423: Exhibition of cartoons by member of Cuban Five to open in Auckland
May 10, 2012 Leave a comment
GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 423, May 10, 2012
Exhibition of cartoons by member of Cuban Five to open in Auckland
Political cartoons by Gerardo Hernández, one of the Cuban Five, will be shown for the first time in New Zealand at Auckland’s Satellite Gallery for two weeks to May 26. Hernández is one of five Cuban revolutionaries imprisoned in the United States in 1998 on frame-up charges, including “conspiracy to commit espionage.” \
Entitled “Humour From My Pen”, the exhibition will open with a reception and presentation beginning at 5:30pm on Saturday, May 12. Cuban ambassador Maria del Carmen Herrera will be the featured speaker. The gallery is at 136A Newton Road, and is open from noon to five Wednesday to Friday and from noon to four on Saturday.
The thirty cartoons “satirise the 60-year campaign by U.S. governments to get rid of the Cuban Revolution,” said exhibition curator Malcolm McAllister on May 5. At the same time, the Satellite gallery is showing “Art to Aid the Cuban Five”, a parallel exhibition by around 30 New Zealand artists. “Proceeds from sales of the works will go toward the cost of staging ‘Humour From My Pen’,” McAllister said. “With sufficient funds we can take it to other centres.”
More detail on the Cuban Five
Many thousands of people have become supporters of the campaign to free the Cuban Five over the decade and a half since their imprisonment, said McAllister. “The growing support has carried these cartoons to a number of countries, including Cuba, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and now New Zealand.
“Hernandez drew the cartoons behind bars as he serves a multiple life sentence,” McAllister said. “He is one of the five Cubans convicted in a Miami court of trumped-up charges of conspiracy to commit espionage and – in Hernández’s case – murder.”
“The so-called crime of the Five was to monitor Cuban-American groups based in the United States with a history of deadly attacks on the revolution and its supporters,” McAllister said. “These organisations operate today from U.S. territory with Washington’s complicity, as they’ve done ever since January 1959 when the revolution swept away the dictator Batista.”
On September 12, 2011, the Cuban Five began their fourteenth year in U.S. federal prisons.
Further information about their case can be seen at www.freethefive.org
For more information, phone Malcolm McAllister at 622-1415.
WHAT’S ON
Friday, May 11, 1pm, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
Picnic for Paid Parental Leave Wgtn: Friday, May 11, 2012 – 1:00pm until 2:00pm. Looking after babies is no picnic! That’s why we need 26 weeks paid parental leave. Bring your lunch and a blanket and join us on the lawn at Parliament to mark Mother’s Day and lend your voice in support of Sue Moroney’s bill to extend paid parental leave to six months. Sue Moroney will be there to talk about what we can to do to make 26 weeks paid parental leave a reality. All grownups and little kids welcome! Here is the link to the event http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/446916665335105/
Friday, May 11, 7pm, Waitangi Park, Wellington
Wellington’s Queer Avengers have organised another "Queer the Night" march for tomorrow evening Going to: Cuba Mall.
Saturday, May 12, 5.30pm, Satellite Gallery 136A Newton Rd, Auckland
Come to the opening of a two-week exhibition: Humour from my Pen with Art to Aid the Cuban Five. Opening is 5.30pm, Sat., May 12, Satellite Gallery 136A Newton Rd, Auckland. Cuban music, snacks. Address by Cuban Ambassador. Exhibition runs Wed-Sat, 11am-5pm, to May 26. The Cuban Five are five Cuban agents who infiltrated right-wing terrorist groups in Miami to gather intelligence on attacks on their homeland. They have been in jail in the U.S since 1998 on trumped-up ‘conspiracy’ charges. In a trial stacked heavily against them they were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 15 years to double life plus 15 years. An international campaign to win them justice has won the support of many prominent groups and individuals. One of the Five, Gerardo Hernandez, has drawn 30 cartoons entitled Humour from my Pen during his unjust incarceration. The cartoons are the central piece of this exhibition. More than 20 New Zealand artists have contributed work to Art to Aid the Cuban Five to raise funds to put on the show and tour it. They include: John Walsh; Gerda Leenards; Dion Hitchens; Malcolm Evans; Anna Crichton; Jeremy Leatinu’u; Matt Molloy; Donna Sarten.
Friday, May 11, 6.30pm, Lecture theatre Library B15, Auckland University
SJP invites you to the film screening of ‘Occupation 101’. This is an award winning documentary that covers the basics and fundamentals of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. All are welcome, bring your friends! Gold coin donation entry. This event is hosted by Students for Justice in Palestine and supported by University of Auckland Muslim Students Association (UoaMSA). Featured interviews: http://www.occupation101.com/interviewees.html
Saturday & Sunday, May 12-13, 10:30am to 5pm, Alexandra Park, Greenlane.
Seminars with Steffan Browning MP at the Green Living Show: May 12-13. Saturday 12.15 pm – The Food Bill – Good or bad? Sunday 1.00 pm – Genetically engineered food is here. Why organic food is so important. At the Green Living Show & New Zealand Organic Expo, 10:30am to 5pm Alexandra Park, Greenlane. Entry to the show is free. http://www.organicexpo.co.nz/
Monday, 7pm, May 14, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland
False Economy: The High Cost of a Low Wage Economy. How the government’s drive for a low wage economy affects us all – and what we can do about it. Jan Logie and Denise Roche, Green Party MPs, are on a national tour to highlight the impact of the government’s funding cuts and policy reforms on our communities. Based on the increasingly popular Pecha Kucha* format, we’ll have a series of fast-paced presentations from a range of speakers from different organisations including those representing Women, Workers, Disabled People, Youth, Children, Refugee and Migrant communities, Māori, Pasifika, the Mental Health community, Problem Gambling and more. A light supper will be provided. Cash Bar courtesy of the Working Women’s Resource Centre. This is a wheelchair accessible venue. To RSVP email conor.twyford or marie.retimanu-pule or visit our Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/132801423520290/ Please advise if you require a NZSL interpreter for this meeting. (Pecha Kucha events consist of up to a dozen presentations, each presenter having 20 slides, each shown for 20 seconds. Each presenter has just 6 minutes and 40 seconds to explain their ideas before the next takes the stage. The format keeps presentations concise and fast-paced and is being used increasingly as a way for people to meet, show their work, exchange ideas, and network.)
Tuesday, May 15, 7pm, Freemans Bay Community Centre, 52 Hepburn St, Freemans Bay, Auckland
Save TVNZ 7 public meeting. Come along to this public meeting to show your support for TVNZ7! Check out http://issues.co.nz/savetvnz7 to sign the petition to support the publicly funded channel, slated for closure by the National Government this year. Meetuimng chaired by Brian Edwards.
Friday, May 18, 6pm, The Kitchen, Top Floor, 14 – 16 Maidstone St, Ponsonby, Auckland
‘Just Do It’ Film Screening with Jeanette Fitzsimmons: Auckland Coal Action presents the first of our ongoing screenings of films with topics covering environmental/protest/anti-coal/climate-change themes. ‘Just Do It’ lifts the lid on climate activism and the daring troublemakers who have crossed the line to become modern-day outlaws. Documented over a year, Emily James’ film follows these activists as they blockade factories, attack coal power stations and glue themselves to the trading floors of international banks despite a very real threat of arrest. Watch the trailer here: aucklandcoalaction. Tickets cost $12 and the proceeds will go to the campaign to stop the mining of the Denniston Plateau. Light refreshments will be provided.
Saturday, May 19, 6pm, Mt. Roskill Intermediate School Hall, Auckland
SEMINAR: Is New Zealand abetting Genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka? Sri Lanka War Crimes and Genocide – Third Year Commemoration. The Sri Lankan Tamil community resident in Auckland, is observing the barbarous massacre of thousands of Tamils in Sri Lanka, the like of which has no parallel in the whole world. You will recall that at the last Geneva Session of the UN Human Rights Council that ended in March 2012, a resolution was adopted calling on Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations of its own Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission within a time frame. Notwithstanding all the pressures from all sides, the Government of Sri Lanka is continuing unabated all repressive measures against all infrastructures of democracy including media, NGOs and civil activists – kidnapping and going missing is still rampant. We are also dismayed at the amendment brought to the (NZ)Immigration Act of 2009, which seeks to imprison asylum seekers in environs similar to the barbed wire detention camps in Sri Lanka for Tamils displaced by war. We shall be thankful if you will please make your presence or arrange for another MP of your Party to represent you. Yours Sincerely, A.Theva Rajan, Co-ordinator Seminar.
Monday, May 21, 7pm, Otahuhu Town Hall Community Centre, High St, Otahuhu, Auckland
Charter Schools Forum: The establishment of charter schools has implications for all people involved in education in New Zealand. This is an opportunity to learn about and discuss this important issue. With: Prof John O’Neill and Prof Ivan Snook , Massey University; Dr. Airini, Auckland University; Ian Leckie, NZEI Te Riu Roa; Liz Horgan, Principal St Joseph’s Otahuhu; Brigid Raymond, PPTA
Friday, May 25, 7am, Waipuna Hotel & Convention Centre, 58 Waipuna Rd, Mt Wellington & 11.30am – Langham Hotel, 83 Symonds St
Kia ora koutou, Since we contacted you a few days ago about our picket of John Key and the National Party planned for 7.00am Friday 25 May, we learned that the PM will also be speaking about the Budget at a business lunch the same day. We’ve decided the best thing would be to organise two pickets, turning 25 May into a full scale Post-Budget Day of Action. We hope you will be able to come along to at least one of the pickets, and that you’ll also be willing to help us get this info out to people in your networks. Core details are: Post Budget Day of Action Friday 25 May – Auckland Action Against Poverty. Picket: 7.00am – John Key speaks to the National Party Waipuna Hotel & Conference Centre, 58 Waipuna Rd, Mt Wellington. Picket: 11.30am – John Key speaks to Business Forum Langham Hotel, 83 Symonds St.
Decent jobs for the unemployed – not vindictive harassment of beneficiaries! Free quality education for all – no state interference in women’s reproductive lives! Please get back to us if you have any queries or would like to offer any particular help. Look forward to seeing you soon – best wishes, Sue Bradford & Chris Zack (for AAAP). AACP Picket leaflet http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18076151/AAAP_Picketv02%20%281%29.pdf AAAP Leaflet http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18076151/AAAP_Leafletv02%20%281%29.pdf
Friday, May 25, 7.15-8.45am, School of Population Health, Tamaki Campus, University of Auckland.
Child Poverty Action Group 12th Post-budget Breakfast Series: Bldg 730, Function Room 220 entry via Gate 1, 261 Morrin Road, Glen Innes, Auckland. Free parking in visitors’ section. Speakers: Prof Jonathan Boston, Institute of Policy Studies, Victoria University. Co-Chair,Children’s Commissioner’s expert group on Poverty; Dr Fiona Cram, (Ngati Kahungunu), Member of the Children’s Commissioner’s expert group on Poverty; Chair: Assoc Prof Susan St John, Economics Dept, University of Auckland. CPAG Economics spokesperson and founding member.
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.
8th June Friday 2:00-3:00pm – Mayor Len Brown’s official Auckland Peace City Declaration launch at Auckland Council Reception Lounge-Town Hall Queen St.
9th June 12:00-3:00pm Aotea Square, Auckland AUCKLAND CITY for PEACE & NUCLEAR FREE New Zealand Celebration. Auckland City for Peace Declaration Public Launch Event ~ Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone and Disarmament Legislation of 1987. Music, dance, poetry, info/education stalls. Children can make their own ‘Auckland Peace City’ flaglets. Peace Exhibitions inside Concert Chamber. The Peace Parade bearing the carved Maori wooden torch from the 2009 World Peace Run will be returned to New Zealand by NZ Peace and Disarmament International NGO Representative Alyn Ware. This will be followed by runners with flags of the 192 nation states in the United Nations. Release of Peace Doves and ringing of the Peace Bell. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own peace banners and flags, both historical or new celebrating Nuclear Free New Zealand to make a display together for a Nuclear Free World. Wet weather Event plan: Concert Chamber Town Hall – Inside 12:00-3:00pm. The Peace City Public Launch Event Team welcomes volunteers and offers of help. If you want to be involved in any way please contact: laurie-ross Coordinator Laurie Ross on 818 0696
Friday & Saturday, July 6-8, Wellington.
Environment and Conservation Organisations of New Zealand Inc. Annual Conference 6-8 July 2012. Environmental Responsibility: Leadership, Inclusion and Good Governance. Friday 6 July – Saturday 7 July | Salvation Army Citadel, 8 Jessie Street, Wellington. Sunday 8 July | Turnbull House, 11 Bowen St, Wellington. Full draft programme and online registration can be found here: eco
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLOOMSDAY! JUNE 16! THIRSTY DOG!
Missed May Day? Make up for it in June. June 16 is “Bloomsday”, a sort of literary St Patrick’s Day. It’s a commemoration of the fictional day in 1904 in which James Joyce’s comic masterpiece Ulysses unfolds. All around the world there are Bloomsday celebrations. In Auckland for the past decade a Bloomsday cabaret has unleashed itself in the red-light district of Karangahape Rd. This year it will be at the Thirsty Dog Tavern and feature Outrageous Fortune’s Robyn Malcolm reading from the notoriously explicit 50-page soliloquy of Molly Bloom, and George Henare playing pale young poet Stephen Dedalus, girlishly winsome Gerty McDowell and fierce transvestite dominatrix Bella Cohen. With the addition of klezmer music by The Jews Brothers Band, it’s the only Hiberno-Hebrew Bloomsday in the known world! Cast of thousands: Dublin actor Brian Keegan, mezzo soprano Yuko Takahashi, international busker and former Auckland Equity secretary Farrell Cleary, political tenor Chris “Crubeen” Trotter, Unite union organiser Joe Carolan (and dog) plus a barbershop quartet singing “Danny Boy”. Can’t beat it. Saturday night, June 16, 7.30-10.30pm Thirsty Dog Tavern, Corner Howe St & Karangahape Rd, Auckland
NZ WEBSITE DEVOTED TO GAZA AND PALESTINIAN ISSUES
Julie Webb jwebbp May 4 (3 days ago). Hi all, please take the time to read the read the daily news from Gaza on SCOOP’s new website dedicated to Gaza, and Palestinian issues. www.gaza.scoop.ps If you read this, you will quickly find out what the important issues and priorities of the day are, as reported by Palestinians. Enjoy, and thanks for your support! Julie Webb-Pullman
SOLIDARITY BRIGADE TO VENEZUELA: HALF-PRICE FLIGHTS AVAILABLE FROM AUCKLAND
Join the 2012 Presidential elections brigade to Venezuela. Register now to witness the final election campaign for President Hugo Chavez and observe first-hand a living people’s power revolution. Brigade dates: September 27th – October 8th, 2012. Half-price flights Sydney-Auckland-Venezuela return are currently available through Aerolineas Argentina. The October 2012 presidential elections will be an historic moment in the Venezuelan revolution. Since 1998, when Hugo Chavez Frias was first elected president, the Bolivarian revolution has achieved remarkable things, confronted many challenges and undergone many changes. Over the years, the United States-backed opposition has tried to halt, sabotage and stall this people’s-power revolution that is putting control of Venezuela’s politics and economy back into the hands of the poor majority. The October 2012 elections will be a critical point in the ongoing struggle between the people and the profits-first corporations and imperialism. The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network’s brigades to Venezuela are an opportunity to see first-hand an unfolding revolution that is radically transforming the lives of Venezuelans and challenging the greed, exploitation and destructiveness of global capitalism by showing that a better world is possible. As well as observing the last week of the presidential election campaign – Hugo Chavez says it is the last time he will contest the presidency – and polling day itself, brigade participants will visit social missions, communal councils and communes, as well as production cooperatives, public health and education services, sustainable development projects, community controlled media stations, the Latin American School of Medicine, and women’s and Indigenous organisations and projects. During the 12-day tour, brigadistas will speak to a wide range of grassroots organisations, community activists, trade unions and government representatives about the radical changes being implemented by the Venezuelan people. The 2012 brigade is the 13th study tour organised by the AVSN. Reports from previous brigades are posted at: http://www.venezuelasolidarity.org We are also happy to put you in touch with people who have participated in previous AVSN brigades if you would like to find out more.
Brigade registration and costs: The deadline for registering for the 2012 presidential elections brigade is May 31, 2012 (including payment of registration fee, unless otherwise arranged). Participants will need to book their own international airfares, but accommodation, transport and English-Spanish translation within Venezuela will be organised by the AVSN. In addition to your international airfare, you will need to budget for approximately $1200-$1350. This will cover your brigade registration fee ($500 for waged workers or $350 for students/pensioners), and your food, transport and accommodation (on a shared basis) for 12 days in Venezuela.
To register for the brigade visit: brigades or phone Jim McIlroy 0423 741 734, Roberto Jorquera 0425 182 994 or Lisa Macdonald 0413 031 108.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
I thought I would just let you know that I have a programme screening on Triangle Television called Know Your Rights. It is on at 8.30pm on Thursdays and repeated at 5.30pm on Fridays. Everyone in Auckland can get Triangle but if people have not watched it before they need to tune their tvs to receive it. The programme is about people’s legal rights. Next week we will be looking at the Youth Court and what happens when young people get into trouble with the law. People who have questions about any area of law can email them to info. The questions will be answered anonymously.
AUSA PRESENTS – ACTIVIST WEEK MAY 14TH -18TH
To whom it may concern, I am writing to you in my capacity as International Affairs Officer for (AUSA) at Auckland University to invite your organization to participate in our Activist Week May 14th-18th. This event is designed to provide a buffet of workshops, political actions and events to cater for a growing appetite of students wanting to engage with community activists and to receive practical political education, through seminars/forums and debates. The content and aims of a seminar/forum is of course up to you though if you feel a particular skill set or issue-awareness is absent and you are keen to hold workshop-style course for students then this is certainly encouraged. The goals of this Week is such: To promote your organization and activities to a wide array of the student body ; To establish closer links between the University and your organization; To cultivate a community minded and activist minded generation of students; Encourage political events and/or discussion about your field (this can range from action/demonstration to a debate/forum/film-screening); Provide workshops/training seminars to build political and campaign skills to a wide array of interested students. I encourage your organizations involvement in Activist Week the best place for attracting massive pool of passionate and articulate students would be mutual beneficial for you. The student population is such a large sphere in society and you would be able to tap into a huge amount of people during your time at University. I would love if you were able to signify if this is something that you’d be interested in. Any questions/concerns please do not hesitate to get in touch, Kind Regards, Martin Graham. International Affairs Officer, Auckland University Students’ Association Inc. (AUSA). Ph (09) 309 0789 ext 243 | Fax (09) 306 6580 | Mob: 022 653 1583
SAVE TV 7
TVNZ 7 only has a couple of months left but we’re still challenging the government to change their decision to close the only Public Service TV channel for all Kiwis. If anything we’re getting more motivated. So what’s happening? Firstly, the savetvnz7 and we’ll put you in touch with the right people. Recent exciting news (sorry to be so frothy) came when Labour MP Clare Curran announced she is about to introduce a Private Members Bill to save TVNZ 7. Although the bill is a long shot, it is a great way to publicise this important issue and garner support from all the political parties (even National). Please keep reminding your local MP and List MPs of your concerns about the imminent closure of TVNZ 7 and what it means to you, your family and friends. It’s been a busy few weeks in the media with many columns and articles written in favour of TVNZ 7 and Public Service TV. Here are links to a few goodies:
Why We Must Try to Save TVNZ 7 by Paul Norris
The Death of Pakeha TV by Paul Casserly
TVNZ 7. Is It Worth Saving? by Clare Curran MP
Finally, as our campaign rounds into the home straight (yes, it is depressing) Save TVNZ 7 needs more publicity. So please do your bit to talk about the demise of our last Public Service TV station and the end of a broadcasting era when TVNZ 7 finishes in June. Whether you’re an All Black, a talkback caller or gossiping at the local playgroup – the more we talk about TVNZ 7, the more others will realise what’s happening. Who knows. We might still stop this terrible decision and keep Public Service TV alive in NZ. Many thanks, Myles Thomas, Save TVNZ 7
XXX SOUTHERN CROSS BRIGADE TO CUBA – DEC 27 – JAN 18
Receive warm greetings from Cuban Institute for Friendship with Peoples (ICAP), that every year receives, with great satisfaction, all friends that spontaneously decide to join us in the Southern Cross Brigade of voluntary work and solidarity with Cuba. Main objectives of the brigade are to provide a great deal of knowledge about Cuban reality so that the visitors could understand it as well as to work voluntarily in the agricultural fields in order to help in the development and productivity of the country. The program of the brigade includes visits to historical, cultural and social places. Participants will receive lectures on national and international topics and will also interact with representatives of Cuban organizations and people in general.
Program of the Brigade starts on December 27th, 2012 and finishes on January 18th, 2013. It includes 15 nights at Julio Antonio Mella International Camp (CIJAM), which is located in Caimito municipality, 45 kilometres away from Havana City; 2 nights in The Friendship House in Villa Clara province and 5 nights in a hotel in the revolutionary Granma province, where many of the historical events lead by Fidel and other guerrilla fighters during the war to achieve our total independence from 1956 to 1958 took place. Program costs 580.00 Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC) per person. It includes accommodation in 5 or 6 persons´ rooms in CIJAM, three meals daily in CIJAM and also in province, accommodation in the hotel in Granma province and Villa Clara ICAP’s facility, transfer in-out as well as transportation to all activities included in the program. Each extra night in CIJAM, previous to the beginning or after the brigade will cost 10.00 CUC per person and should be paid directly in CIJAM, as well as optional activities during the extra period. It is compulsory to stay at least 7 days in the brigade. Agricultural work will be done in fields near the camp. CIJAM was founded in 1972; it provides the proper environment for living in groups and satisfies needs of visitors from all over the world.
The increasing number of brigadistas coming to Cuba as members of the International Brigades ICAP organizes is a clear evidence of how motivated our friends are about coming to our country and knowing our reality. They are also committed to condemn the genocide blockade of the United States against our island as well as to express their respect towards our independence, sovereignty and self determination rights. We also have their support on the cause and liberation of the Cuban Five Heroes unjustly imprisoned in the United States jails.
Each brigade member, at the moment of the arrival, is committed to follow the program and schedule, and also to have a proper behaviour, discipline and social interaction not only in CIJAM but also all over the country. For further communication: Phone numbers (53 7) 838-24 30 / 8335372 / 830-1220 / 834-4544 ext. 15 and Emails: asia.norte , director.dao and amiventas We would be pleased to have you in the XXX Southern Cross Brigade, a beautiful project that ICAP and Australia/New Zealand – Cuba Friendship Societies have proudly maintained since 1983, which has allow to show Cuban reality to more than one thousand people who have taken part in previous brigades as well as to receive their support and deep solidarity. This year program and brigade has a special aim and it is to commemorate 55 anniversary of the triumph of Cuban revolution on January 1st, 2013 and also to celebrate with every participant coming the 30 anniversary of the Southern Cross Brigade visit to Cuba. This is a formal invitation to join the brigade in order to strengthen brotherhood between our peoples. Sincerely yours, Asia and Pacific Division, Cuban Institute for Friendship with Peoples
NZ Participants: Email Ina Lawrence inashina for the full programme and any other questions.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“American society has everything imaginable: a huge, productive economy, vast natural resources, and a solid technological and educational base. Yet it is squandering these advantages because the rich have lost their sense of responsibility and are far more interested in their next yacht or private plane than in paying the price of civilization through honest and responsible taxation and investment.” Jeffrey Sachs, Rise of Generation Occupy, Salon, May 1, 2012
"The media I’ve had a lot to do with is lazy. We fed them and they ate it every day." – Michael Deaver – Former top aide to President Reagan
"He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would fully suffice. This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, senseless brutality, deplorable love-of-country stance, how violently I hate all this, how despicable and ignoble war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than be a part of so base an action! – Albert Einstein
STATS OF THE WEEK
In 2011, America’s average millionaire received nearly $450,000 worth of benefit from mortgage interest deductions and other federal “tax expenditures,” about $1,225 in benefits a day. The average daily food stamp benefit, notes Center for American Progress analyst Michael Linden, came in at $4.30. http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2012/05/linden_rebuttal.html
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Protest against fracking and deep sea oil drilling http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10804094
Saving TVNZ 7 is in public interest http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/perspective/6884979/Saving-TVNZ-7-is-in-public-interest
Save TVNZ 7 Public Meetings Announced As The Online Petition Pushes 20,000 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1205/S00160/save-tvnz-7-public-meetings-announced-as-the-online-petition.htm
AOTEAROA IS NOT FOR SALE
HIKOI: 100 photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/15427785@N04/sets/72157629658413934/
Iwi threatens lawsuit to halt power-asset sales http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10804772
Mana: Our Assets, Our Future http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1205/S00166/our-assets-our-future.htm
Asset sales protest descends on Parliament http://www.3news.co.nz/World/Photogallery/tabid/1231/articleID/253004/Default.aspx
Thousands send a clear message “Aotearoa is not for Sale” #hikoi (+photos) http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/17585
Asset sales hikoi arrives at Parliament – extended footage http://www.3news.co.nz/Asset-sales-hikoi-arrives-at-Parliament—extended-footage/tabid/423/articleID/253063/Default.aspx#ixzz1u9fxpnez
Astounding Turnout at Wellington March http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1205/S00083/astounding-turnout-at-wellington-march.htm
Key unfazed by asset sales hikoi http://www.3news.co.nz/Key-unfazed-by-asset-sales-hikoi/tabid/370/articleID/253050/Default.aspx
Hikoi lets off steam in Palmerston (+photos) http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/17554
‘Aotearoa is Not For Sale’ Protest Showreel
Marae Investigates: A hikoi from Cape Reinga to Parliament with a blunt message for John Key Aotearoa is not for sale
Hone speaks to Aotearoa Not For Sale Hikoi at parliament [RAW VIDEO]
A28 in AK City- Aotearoa is Not for Sale: a choice video made by the Green Left crew from the Australian Socialist Alliance. http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/a28-in-ak-city-aotearoa-is-not-for-sale.html
Dunne deaf to cries of asset sales protesters http://www.newswire.co.nz/2012/05/dunne-deaf-to-impassioned-cries-of-asset-sales-protesters-in-johnsonville/
Hikoi support to Ohariu citizens in Johnsonville asking Peter Dunne to Save our State Owned Assets, his vote counts, as ours should:) http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150875464160362
Protesters scale war memorial to erect banner http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/protesters-scale-war-memorial-erect-banner-4861109
Dayle Takitimu – "This is the time for the uprising" http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/dayle-takitimu-this-is-time-for.html
Asset sales ‘like a farmer eating his last chicken’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10804075
Partial privatisation numbers ‘don’t add up’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6883858/Partial-privatisation-numbers-don-t-add-up
Greens: Asset sales don’t add up http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PA201205/S00162.htm
SKY CASINO SCANDAL
Did John Banks ask SkyCity Casino to Donate Anonymously? http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1205/S00056/did-john-banks-ask-skycity-casino-to-donate-anonymously.htm
Govt falsely trying to sell SkyCity deal as reducing harm http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1205/S00103/govt-falsely-trying-to-sell-skycity-deal-as-reducing-harm.htm
Pokie addiction costs $85K a day http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/pokie-addiction-costs-85k-a-day/1369697/
Problem gambler numbers swell at SkyCity http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/problem-gambler-numbers-swell-skycity-4865152
Let people power determine pokie numbers says AUT University http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1205/S00125/let-people-power-determine-pokie-numbers.htm
John Carran: SkyCity deal sends wrong message http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10804107
AFFCO LOCKOUT
Harawira calls for ‘Talley-ban’ http://www.3news.co.nz/Harawira-calls-for-Talley-ban/tabid/421/articleID/253718/Default.aspx
Help Talley’s Affco Workers http://www.mwu.org.nz/helptalleysaffcoworkers/
Facilitation, Talley’s Mansion visit and March http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1205/S00098/facilitation-talleys-mansion-visit-and-march.htm
Lockout Newsletter, Day 66: All in or all out, facilitation granted http://www.mwu.org.nz/2012/05/04/lockout-newsletter-day-66-all-in-or-all-out-facilitation-granted/
Ngapuhi Leader Concerned With Lock Out Tactics: Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngapuhi http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1205/S00077/ngapuhi-leader-concerned-with-lock-out-tactics.htm
Militant tactics needed now in AFFCO dispute http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/militant-tactics-needed-now-in-affco.html
Hard times in Wairoa http://m.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/news/hard-times-in-wairoa/1363591/
Iwi stand up for AFFCO workers http://www.waatea603am.co.nz/news/2012/may/iwi-stand-up-for-affco-workers
Talley rebuffs workers’ rally http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6883859/Talley-rebuffs-workers-rally
WORKRIGHTS NZ
Council moves to make Ports of Auckland a good employer welcomed http://www.munz.org.nz/2012/05/02/council-moves-to-make-ports-of-auckland-a-good-employer-welcomed/
Protests mark May Day in Aotea Square http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/6839577/Protests-mark-May-Day-in-Aotea-Square
The Union Report with Industrial Services Manager NZNO Cee Payne & commentator Mike Williams: Topics are Issue 1 – It’s International Nurses day on the 12th, what are the challenges facing nursing and why is the NZNO concerned with social justice? Issue 2 – Does the u-turn at MFAT show other public servants how to resist cutbacks? Is 150 job losses a victory? Issue 3 – The Hikoi against asset sales arrives in Wellington – how does privatization impact workers?
Care Workers’ Pay http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1205/S00157/care-workers-pay.htm
Unions will need secret ballot before strikes under new bill http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10804703
Work stoppages hit record low http://www.3news.co.nz/Work-stoppages-hit-record-low/tabid/421/articleID/253668/Default.aspx
NZ ECONOMY
Low income households less likely to move up scale – study http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10804707
Editorial – Employment blues http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/opinion/editorials/6871173/Editorial-Employment-blues
Editorial: Two for me, one for you… : Something is not right. We are struggling through the worst financial period in 80 years, the responsibility for which falls largely on the well-groomed shoulders of the wealthy, the selfish and the greedy. http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/opinion/6877135/Editorial-Two-for-me-one-for-you
One in five households have chronic low income says University of Otago http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1205/S00126/one-in-five-households-have-chronic-low-income.htm
More jobs needed to lower beneficiary numbers http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO201205/S00114.htm
1300 applicants for supermarket jobs http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/207194/1300-applicants-supermarket-jobs
NZ-US Council’s TPPA Study Lacks Credibility, Shows Need for Informed Debate http://www.nznotforsale.org/2012/05/03/nz-us-councils-tppa-study-lacks-credibility-shows-need-for-informed-debate/
Jane Kelsey On The Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement Part I Part 2
An Auckland University law professor says New Zealand needs to stand alongside Australia and refuse to allow investors the right to sue the Government directly. http://www.3news.co.nz/Right-to-sue-needs-to-be-exempt-from-TPPA—expert/tabid/370/articleID/253570/Default.aspx
Lawyers fight TPP right to sue Govt http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10804462
US firms to control NZ legislation? http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/6883994/US-firms-to-control-NZ-legislation
Bryan Gould: Right to be troubled about secret partnership
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10804415
Don’t trade away our digital future http://internetnz.net.nz/news/blog/2012/Don%E2%80%99t-trade-away-our-digital-future
Monthly Economic Review http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyres/04FACCE5-DC4D-4947-9BAD-9B543A041C54/218418/May13.pdf
Austerity = low tax take “surprise” http://thestandard.org.nz/austerity-low-tax-take-surprise/
FEATURES
Workers fight back – May Day 2012 picture gallery http://aawl.org.au/content/may-day-2012
Occupy May Day protests across US as activists and unions link up http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/02/occupy-may-day-protests
May Day Protests Around the World http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/may-day-protests-around-the-world/
May Day marches: Activists protest against austerity http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17904349
Protesters hit streets for May Day rallies; violence flares in Oakland, Seattle http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/01/11485652-protesters-hit-streets-for-may-day-rallies-violence-flares-in-oakland-seattle?lite
Chomsky: “Jobs aren’t coming back” – Wealth is concentrated with the 1 percent because America no longer makes things: Financiers just manipulate money http://www.salon.com/2012/05/08/chomsky_jobs_arent_coming_back/
Chomsky: Do We Have the Makings of a Real Revolution? Unless the spirit of the last year continues to grow and becomes a major force in the social and political world, the chances for a decent future are not very high. http://tinyurl.com/6t5u9bc
Julian Assange’s The World Tomorrow: Nabeel Rajab & Alaa Abd El-Fattah: Julian Assange speaks with two leading Arab revolutionaries in the middle of conflict, Alaa Abd El-Fattah from Egypt and Nabeel Rajab from Bahrain. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31273.htm
LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT
Revolutionising production itself: for humanity and for the world by Mike Ely http://links.org.au/node/2848
What Every Environmentalist Needs To Know about Capitalism: A Citizen’s Guide to Capitalism and the Environment by Fred Magdoff and John Bellamy Foster Monthly Review Press, 2011 – reviewed by Dan Sharber International Socialist Review, March-April, 2012 http://climateandcapitalism.com/2012/05/05/what-environmentalist-needs-to-know/
CULTURAL DISSENT
ADEAZE – Rise & Shine
The real GC http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/real-gc.html
WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
A Triumph of Failed Ideas: European models of capitalism in the crisis – Steffen Lehndorff speaks about the book, A Triumph of Failed Ideas: European models of capitalism in the crisis. http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/ls138.php
The euro-zone crisis – Call it a depression http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2012/05/euro-zone-crisis-0?fsrc=scn%2Ftw%2Fte%2Fbl%2Fcallitadepression
Debt inequality is the new income inequality http://money.cnn.com/2012/05/02/news/economy/income-debt-inequality/?source=cnn_bin
How economists have misunderstood inequality: An interview with James Galbraith http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/how-economists-have-misunderstood-inequality/2012/05/03/gIQAOZf5yT_blog.html
It’s executives and the finance sector causing surging 1% income growth! http://www.epi.org/blog/ceo-pay-finance-sector-income-inequality/
Did Inequality cause the Economic Crisis? On the Rajan hypothesis and toxic theories of consumption http://www.social-europe.eu/2012/05/did-inequality-cause-the-economic-crisis/
Plutocracy, Paralysis, Perplexity By PAUL KRUGMAN http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/opinion/krugman-plutocracy-paralysis-perplexity.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20120504
AFGHANISTAN
Deadly Afghan-NATO raid sparks protests http://www.rawa.org/temp/runews/2012/05/01/deadly-afghan-nato-raid-sparks-protests.html
US Kills 5 Afghan Kids By Glenn Greenwald – The way in which the U.S. media ignores such events speaks volumes about how we perceive them. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31275.htm
ARGENTINA
Argentina and the magic soybean: the commodity export boom that wasn’t
Argentina’s record levels of employment and massive reductions in poverty have little to do with exports http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/may/04/argentina-magic-soybean-export-boom
AUSTRALIA
GREENLEFT TV: Police attack Sydney Uni rally against staff cuts http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/50943
PHOTOS: Max Brenner 19 activists rally outside court http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/50880
CANADA
Quebec students rejecting tuition-fee deal http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/quebec-students-rejecting-tuition-fee-deal/article2427097/email/
Defiant Quebec Students – Reject Shabby Government Offer by Richard Fidler http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/631.php#continue
Quebec’s large labour unions supporting student strike http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Unions+supporting+student+strike/6587521/story.html
We’ve been duped, strike leaders claim http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/been+duped+strike+leaders+claim/6579593/story.html
Quebec Student Protests as Game Changer? http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/episode/2012/05/07/quebec-student-protests-as-game-changer/
Quebec students will vote on negotiated end to three-month strike – Significant concessions wrested from Quebec government By Roger Annis http://www.rogerannis.com/quebec-students-will-vote-on-negotiated-end-to-three-month-strike/
Quebec government offers temporary freeze on hikes to end tuition protests
Protesters, police injured in Victoriaville demonstration – About 1,000 protesters turned up in Victoriaville Friday evening as Jean Charest and Liberal party gather for a general council http://www.montrealgazette.com/Protesters+police+injured+Victoriaville/6568572/story.html
How did Quebec Students Mobilize Hundreds of Thousands for Strike?
Three students discuss the role of direct democracy and political demands in building a massive movement http://tinyurl.com/6mpjajy
Anti-coal protesters arrested in White Rock – 13 demonstrators handed $115 tickets http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/05/05/bc-jaccard-coal-protest.html
François Cyr, 1952-2012: François Cyr, a leading member of Québec solidaire and prominent activist and theoretician of the Quebec left, died May 5 in the aftermath of a brain tumour operation. http://lifeonleft.blogspot.ca/2012/05/francois-cyr-1952-2012.html
CUBA
What Obama Knows By Fidel Castro http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31224.htm
EGYPT
Clashes erupt at mass rally in Cairo – Thousands protest against recent killing of demonstrators and demand that Egypt’s military leaders step down. http://tinyurl.com/7hzexlp
GREECE
Austerity parties smashed, big win for far left http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/50939
People of Greece Shake Europe http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OUbRkJyAPHk#!
The Seismic Results in Greece: Syriza, the radical left-wing coalition that campaigned on suspending debt payment and cancelling austerity measures, comes first in all major cities and among people aged 18-35 http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/05/09/the-seismic-results-in-greece/
THE GREEK CAULDRON http://www.newleftreview.org/?view=2924
Greece at the global forefront – The elections in Greece are a dramatic articulation of the essential contradiction between democracy and capitalism http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/05/20125385430186295.html
Greece election results mapped. Infographic http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/interactive/2012/may/06/greece-elections-results-map?fb=native
Coalition of the Radical Left http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SYRIZA
Tsipras lays out five points of coalition talks http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_23909_08/05/2012_441181
JAMAICA
New Paper Finds Jamaican Economy to Be Held Back by Pro-Cyclical Conditions Demanded by IMF, Creditors http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2012/05/07-2
JAPAN
The Worst Yet to Come? Why Nuclear Experts Are Calling Fukushima a Ticking Time-Bomb By Brad Jacobson – It’s a scenario that would literally threaten Japan’s annihilation and civilization at large, with widespread worldwide environmental radioactive contamination. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31263.htm
LIBYA
In Libya, the Captors Have Become the Captive http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/magazine/in-libya-the-captors-have-become-the-captive.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1
Billions go missing in Libya http://www.iol.co.za/business/international/billions-go-missing-in-libya-1.1291730
Libya PM office attacked by gunmen in Tripoli http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17995427
NICARAGUA
Reflections on the Death of the Sandinista Leader: The Personal Revenge of Tomas Borge http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/05/02/the-personal-revenge-of-tomas-borge/
Comandante Tomás Borge Martínez – “Implacable in combat, generous in victory” http://tortillaconsal.com/tortilla/node/11137
PACIFIC
New Caledonia’s road to independence
VIDEO: Assaults, repression, self-censorship plague Pacific media, says new PMW report http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/assaults-repression-self-censorship-plague-pacific-media-says-new-pmw-report-792
PAKISTAN
Urgent appeal for Baba Jan, prisoner of climate change http://climateandcapitalism.com/2012/05/03/urgent-appeal-for-baba-jan-prisoner-of-climate-change/
PALESTINE
Two of Mass Palestinian Prisoner’s Hunger Strike "On Verge of Death" http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fHzxNZKlOj4#!
Act now for starving political prisoners http://jfjfp.com/?p=30416
The Massive Palestinian Hunger Strike: Traveling below the Western Radar By Richard Falk http://richardfalk.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/the-massive-palestinian-hunger-strike-traveling-below-the-western-radar/
Israel and Palestine: Two states, two peoples – Israel’s idea of ‘two states’ is based on expulsion of Arabs, so the Jewish character of its country is not threatened. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/05/201254104915143654.html
Deir Yassin remembered: This year marks the 67th anniversary of the massacre at Deir Yassin, one of the most appalling crimes carried out by the Jewish Irgun and Stern gangs in Palestine, writes Felicity Arbuthnot http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2012/1095/op16.htm
In solitary confinement for 10 years, Palestinian prisoner sees family only once http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/in-solitary-confinement-for-10-years-palestinian-prisoner-sees-family-only-once-1.428142
Justice requires action to stop subjugation of Palestinians By Desmond Tutu, special to the Times http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/justice-requires-action-to-stop-subjugation-of-palestinians/1227722
Israeli Checkpoint On-Camera with no shame [Must watch video] http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2012/01/05/israeli-checkpoint-video/
Stop the Wall office raided by Israeli military http://www.stopthewall.org/2012/05/08/urgent-stw-office-raided-israeli-military
Palestinians Favour A Diplomatic Solution, Says Haniyeh by Julie Webb-Pullman http://gaza.scoop.ps/2012/05/palestinians-favour-a-diplom
SYRIA
Syrians questioning whether armed revolt works http://tinyurl.com/88glndd
TURKEY
May Day celebrations across Turkey http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=89256
Contesting Finance Capitalism in Turkey by Thomas Marois http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/629.php
USA
U.S falls to 47th in press freedom rankings after Occupy crackdown http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2091948/U-S-falls-47th-press-freedom-rankings-Occupy-crackdown.html#ixzz1tsULH1wV
America’s new working poor – In this economy, having a job is no longer a guarantee against poverty http://www.salon.com/2012/05/01/working_in_poverty/
‘Festive, Righteous Anger’: Occupy Makes May-Day Comeback With Massive Demonstrations – Yesterday, Occupy recaptured the public’s attention with rallies, marches, parties, and yes, arrests all over the country. http://tinyurl.com/7hl7o8z
Austerity Can’t Be Just for Regular People http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog/austerity-cant-be-a-one-way-street-20120508
US should return stolen land to Indian tribes, says United Nations By Chris McGreal in Washington – A United Nations investigator probing discrimination against Native Americans has called on the US government to return some of the land stolen from Indian tribes as a step toward combatting continuing and systemic racial discrimination. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31256.htm
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