GPJA #457:

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 457, March 27, 2013

ANNOUNCEMENTS

POSITION VACANT – MANAGER, THE PEACE PLACE, AUCKLAND The Peace Place (Aiotanga)* is a project of the Dominican Family and Pax Christi. A space in the heart of Auckland working for a more just and peaceful world; promoting inter-religious dialogue, and studying ecology, nonviolence and restorative justice. The Peace Place is seeking a Manager, paid, for 20 hours per week. Expressions of interest and job description to the secretary at: The Peace Place, 2F / 22 Emily Place, Auckland 1010, Aotearoa – New Zealand. or email: nfo@thepeaceplace.org.nz Closing date: 15 April 2013. * a place of peace and shelter. http://thepeaceplace.org.nz

GREENPEACE: URGENT ACTION REQUIRED
New Zealanders love their country. We love our unspoiled beaches and ocean, our national parks, forests, rivers and mountains. It’s our big backyard, we treasure it, and it’s one of the things that makes New Zealand special. It gives us the unique quality of life that makes us the envy of the world and indeed even our economy depends on it. And we have all this because people before us worked very hard to establish laws that protect our natural heritage and give us all a say in what happens to it.
But these laws, which are enshrined in what’s known as the Resource Management Act (RMA), are now being targeted by Government. Steven Joyce and John Key plan to strip out the core principles of the RMA – the bits that actually protect our environment and give you a say in what happens in your backyard. They’re pretending that it’s about ‘removing red tape’. It’s not. It’s about removing your rights as a New Zealander to have a say when big business wants to wreck our countryside, build on our beaches or pollute our water. They want to remove your right to object to things like oil drilling and fracking happening in your backyard. It’s about re-writing laws to suit big business over the interests of ordinary Kiwis. There comes a point when we have to stand up and say enough is enough. That time is now.
Use our quick easy online form right now to make a submission to the Government on its proposed changes to the RMA: Click here to take action Now, more than ever in the two decades since the RMA came into force, we need to ensure that our economic growth occurs in harmony with environmental protection. Our economy can thrive by doing business in a cleaner, smarter way. And laws like the RMA can help. Good economic planning and growth must be able to work together with good, environmental laws – our future prosperity depends on it.
Thank you for your support, Nick and the whole crew at Greenpeace. There is more information on the MFE website.

INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS: A SHORT COURSE FOR JOBS AND WELFARE ACTIVISTS – April 10 – July 17
Auckland Action Against Poverty invites members and supporters to join us:
Introduction to economics: a short course for jobs and welfare activists.
This series of eight workshops will be held from 6.00pm – 8.00pm at our AAAP office, 86 Princes St, Onehunga. Snacks and drinks will be available from 5.40pm before each session begins. This course is not academic. It is aimed at people who are taking part in advocacy and action on jobs and welfare, and would like to understand a little more about economics, and about the kinds of solutions that AAAP supports, as opposed to those inflicted on us by neoliberal governments. You are welcome to come to one, some or all of the workshops – but we ask you to register with us at contact by Tuesday 2 April for the first four sessions. There is no charge for the workshops, but a small donation from those who feel in a position to contribute would be appreciated.
Part (a) Economics for beginners
1. The Economy and Me – looking at our own lives through the lens of ‘economics’. Starting to identify and understand some key concepts. Wednesday 10 April
2. The Economy and Economics – introducing more key terms, with an update on recent critical developments in the global and local scene. Tuesday 23 April.
3. The Government’s Budget May 16 – what are budgets? – how do they work? What do we need to look out for on Budget Day from the point of view of beneficiaries, unemployed people and low wage workers? Wednesday 8 May.
4. Unemployment – an overview. Historical context, why it exists, how capitalism uses it to maximise profit at the expense of us all, paid workers, unemployed workers and beneficiaries alike. Wednesday 22 May (b) Economics – Current issues. This second part of the programme is aimed at those who attended the first sessions, as well as others who may already have a grasp of basic economics, but who would like to take part in learning and discussion around these particular issues.
5. Welfare policies, paid work and unemployment – how these interact with each other from an economic perspective. Wednesday 5 June.
6. Universal Basic Income – what is it? What might a progressive version of UBI look like in 2013? Introduction and discussion. Wednesday 19 June.
7. Decent Job Creation – in our current situation and beyond – key concepts, ideas, challenges. Wednesday 3 July.
8. Challenging capitalism – beyond reforms within the system, looking forward to an economics as if ordinary people and the environment mattered. Wednesday 17 July.
For more information, contact AAAP contact Ph 634 0591

WHITE POPPY PEACE SCHOLARSHIPS: EXTENDED DEADLINE
This message is to let you know that the deadline for applications for White Poppy Peace Scholarships to assist with research in the 2013 academic year has been extended to Friday, 5 April 2013. Please forward this message on through your networks, especially to any tertiary students who may be interested in applying. Information about the White Poppy Peace Scholarships, how to apply, and how to support the Peace Scholarships, is available below and online at http://www.facebook.com/notes/peace-movement-aotearoa/white-poppy-peace-scholarships-extended-deadline/495420043838703 – please share the link on your page, thank you.
About the Peace Scholarships
The 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 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 Peace Scholarships are entirely funded by donations, including those collected during the White Poppies for Peace Annual Appeal (17 to 24 April). The number and amount of the grants awarded annually is determined by the amount raised during each year.
How to apply for a Peace Scholarship
Guidelines for applicants are available at peacescholarship The extended deadline for applications for Peace Scholarships to assist with research in the 2013 academic year is Friday, 5 April 2013.
How you can support the Peace Scholarships
There are two ways you can support the Peace Scholarships – by making a donation, or by helping to collect donations for white poppies, an international symbol of remembrance for all the casualties of war and of peace. Your generosity will help to promote peace by directly supporting research into militarism, militarisation and warfare. To make a donation by cheque, please use the form at peacescholarship and we will provide the details for you. A tax credit receipt is sent for all donations. To support the Peace Scholarships by collecting donations for white poppies: if you can assist with the White Poppies for Peace Annual Appeal, 17 to 24 April, please fill in and return the form at whitepoppies if you would like to have white poppies available at a peace event at any time during the year, please email whitepoppies with your request. Thank you.

WHAT’S ON IN AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND

Tuesday, March 26, 6pm, @ The Kitchen, 14-16 Maidstone Road, Ponsonby
Cindy Baxter reveals the low-down on climate science denial. Doors open 6.00, talk 6.30 – 7.30pm. Come along to hear the fascinating story of climate change denial. Cindy Baxter has been obsessed with the climate deniers since the early 1990’s, when she was working on climate negotiations and watched the fossil fuel industry hold press conferences challenging climate science. Since then, she has been at the forefront of global research on who funds these people, and their motivation (hint: it’s got little to do with science). From the Koch Brothers to the Tea Party – to our very own Chris de Freitas in Auckland – Cindy will talk about the global climate denial industry, its roots, and what we can do about them. Here’s an result of recent research: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/feb/14/funding-climate-change-denial-thinktanks-network

Wednesday, March 27, 5.30-7.00pm, WG126, Sir Paul Reeves Building, AUT University
Unlike many waiata in the popular repertoire, the origins of the song Ngā Iwi E can be pinned down to a very precise time and circumstance. On the afternoon of Saturday, 29 September 1984, a small group of Māori and Pakeha musicians met in a classroom at Rotorua Boys High School. Members of New Zealand’s official delegation to the Fourth Pacific Festival of Arts in New Caledonia, they had been given the task of writing a verse in Māori for the festival’s official song. But this festival never took place. In the months before it was due to be held, friction between the Kanak liberation movement FLNKS and Caldoche/French settlers broke out into open conflict and the local High Commissioner stepped in and ordered the organisers to call off the event. However, as time has passed, Ngā Iwi E has become a popular and well-loved waiata in Aotearoa-NZ and has been symbolic for the Nuclear-Free and Independent Pacific (NFIP) movement. Social justice photographer John Miller has chronicled the nuclear-free struggle since the early years more than three decades ago. In this seminar, he will reflect on the origins of the waiata, the protest movement and the achievements with his images. Pictured: On board the original Rainbow Warrior two nights before the ship was bombed. John Miller (Ngapuhi), social documentary photographer and winner of the 2003 New Zealand Media Peace Award and numerous other awards. All welcome.

Thursday, April 11, 6.30pm, Room 3402, Engineering Building, University of Auckland, Symonds Street, Auckland.
West Papua info night And launch of West Papua Action Auckland. Come from 6pm for nibbles. (The building with the light sculpture. Just enter the main doors from Symonds Street and walk down to the back). West Papua has been under Indonesian control since 1963. There have been many human rights abuses towards the indigenous people by the Indonesian military. • See an on-the-spot video update of latest events in West Papua;
• Hear speaker Keith Locke on 12 years of campaigning for West Papua in Parliament; • Join in a discussion about the current challenges and opportunities for the West Papua solidarity campaign in New Zealand;
• Plenty of time for discussion and opportunities to get involved. Supported by AUSA IAO

Monday, April 15 – Global Day of Action
2013 Global Day of Action on Military Spending: 15 April 2013 – if you would like to be involved in the 2013 Global Day of Action in Aotearoa New Zealand, or would like your organisation listed as a pma
Links to more information: The GDAMS 2013 Aotearoa New Zealand event page is at http://www.facebook.com/events/382710081820597 ; Peace Movement Aotearoa’s latest comment on the NZ government’s prioritising of military spending over social spending is at http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=454139961300045&l=166560be6f; Information on the Global Day of Action in Aotearoa New Zealand since the first in 2011 is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/gdams.htm

Saturday, April 27 – National day of Action
Power to the People- a National Day of Action against Asset Sales. Its time for the Government to listen to the majority of New Zealand. a proposed National Day of Action organised by Aotearoa Not For Sale Coalition to stop Asset Sales. More details coming soon, but add people to this event page now. Want to organise a protest in a smaller town? Contact Joe at 029 4455702.

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Selwyn Manning on GCSB: Rudderless Within The Great Game http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/03/22/special-feature-rudderless-within-the-great-game/

NZ’s Iraq contribution ‘grossly overstated’ http://www.3news.co.nz/NZs-Iraq-contribution-grossly-overstated/tabid/417/articleID/290858/Default.aspx

Tears, $170m end long, dark journey http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10873067%20

Domestic drones threaten privacy By Keith Locke http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/03/18/domestic-drones-threaten-privacy/

Dotcom Affidavits: GCSB, Police And Knowledge Of Illegal Surveillance http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1303/S00108/dotcom-affidavits-gcsb-police-and-illegal-surveillance.htm

Susan Devoy: “ashamed to be a New Zealander” http://tumeke.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/susan-devoy-ashamed-to-be-new-zealander.html

Tuhoe’s plans for $170M settlement http://www.3news.co.nz/Tuhoes-plans-for-170M-settlement/tabid/1773/articleID/290954/Default.aspx

Hordur Torfason speaks in testament. His personal story. And what a story. A story with purpose, and great weight http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1303/S00121/hordur-torfason-500-words.htm

Maori teacher shares her story of police brutality +photos http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/21309

Right wingers clash with counter rally http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8464746/Right-wingers-clash-with-counter-rally%20

Louisa Wall: The facts on my marriage bill http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10872764%20

John O’Neill: Charter schools totally undemocratic http://www.nzherald.co.nz/education/news/article.cfm?c_id=35&objectid=10868976

The Blue Rose – Taking on the system http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/the-blue-rose-taking-on-system.html

Queer Avengers Concerned About Violence http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1303/S00273/queer-avengers-concerned-about-violence.htm

Second chance for residency bids http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10871848

Helen Clark calls war on d rugs a failure http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1303/S00194/helen-clark-calls-war-on-drugs-a-failure.htm

A decade of war in Iraq – remember what John Key said? http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/03/19/a-decade-of-war-in-iraq-remember-what-john-key-said/

IPCA – An extension of the police public relations department http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/03/14/ipca-an-extension-of-the-police-public-relations-department/

Sealord lonely cheerleader for deadly fishing method http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/en/press/Sealord-lonely-cheerleader-for-deadly-fishing-method/

Warning signs for key service http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10873178

Ignorance stalks the land By John Minto http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/03/24/ignorance-stalks-the-land/

NZ ECONOMY

Time to nationalise the big banks By John Minto http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/03/21/time-to-nationalise-the-big-banks/

Price rises bite middle- and low-income earners http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10873038

Economic growth not producing jobs http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1303/S00242/economic-growth-not-producing-jobs.htm

Drought tipped to push up milk and red meat prices http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/8437281/Drought-tipped-to-push-up-milk-and-red-meat-prices

Len Brown Vs Nick Smith – battle of the losers http://thedailyblog.co.nz/category/bloggers/john-minto/

Terms of Japan’s entry to TPPA talks bad news for NZ – Press Release: Professor Jane Kelsey http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1303/S00188/terms-of-japans-entry-to-tppa-talks-bad-news-for-nz.htm

The emotional loss of public assets – why heart over wallet matters – Laila Harré – http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/03/12/the-emotional-loss-of-public-assets-why-heart-over-wallet-matters/

The reality of what the TPPA means to NZ – Prof Jane Kelsey – http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/03/04/the-reality-of-what-the-tppa-means-to-nz/

Electricity market ripping off consumers http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion-analysis/8466937/Electricity-market-ripping-off-consumers%20

One day older and deeper in debt http://thestandard.org.nz/one-day-older-and-deeper-in-debt/

Key loses 30,000 jobs in a single year http://thestandard.org.nz/key-loses-30000-jobs-in-a-single-year/

POVERTY & WELFARE DEBATE

Susan St John: Let’s have policies for all children http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10872521%20

Are superstar salaries richly deserved? http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion-analysis/8394532/Are-superstar-salaries-richly-deserved

Catriona MacLennan: Stop dodging tax and we can end child poverty http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10871292

WINZ In The Willows: “Treating the unemployed with the respect and decency we afford our struggling farmers only takes us half way towards leveling this playing field.” http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/03/20/winz-in-the-willows/

Welfare reforms will hurt not help http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1303/S00236/welfare-reforms-will-hurt-not-help.htm

Pressure mounts for rental WOF http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/8459345/Pressure-mounts-for-rental-WOF

Poverty Watch 24 http://the

standard.org.nz/poverty-watch-24/

Inside Child Poverty New Zealand http://www.facebook.com/InsideChildPoverty

MINIMUM WAGE

Govt in ‘John Banks la-la land’ over youth wages http://www.3news.co.nz/Govt-in-John-Banks-la-la-land-over-youth-wages/tabid/1607/articleID/291035/Default.aspx#ixzz2OcQEERKp

Youth payrate returns from May http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8456560/Youth-payrate-returns-from-May%20

Young workers: Battle over youth pay rates http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10872132%20

WORKRIGHTS NZ

Helen Kelly: The failures of visual special effects http://thestandard.org.nz/organising-special-effects/

Mondayising bill pleases Kiwi workers http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10871345

First employer adopts living wage http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10871284

Young workers: Battle over youth pay rates http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10872132

NZQA staff walk off the job http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/8430110/NZQA-staff-walk-off-the-job

Full house for parental leave submissions http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10871057

Unions warn against slashing youth wages http://www.3news.co.nz/Unions-warn-against-slashing-youth-wages/tabid/1607/articleID/290275/Default.aspx

DOC ‘could cut 100-plus jobs’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8467020/DOC-could-cut-100-plus-jobs%20

Mondayising holidays bill passes crucial vote http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8421978/Mondayising-holidays-bill-passes-crucial-vote

Sign of the times: hundreds queue for 7 jobs http://www.3news.co.nz/Sign-of-the-times-hundreds-queue-for-7-jobs/tabid/367/articleID/290024/Default.aspx

Pay debacle: Novopay chases teacher for $22 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10870896

STATS OF THE WEEK

“It’s perverse that stock market averages are treated in the business and popular media as a proxy for the health of the economy. They are now the indicator, at most, of the well-being of the wallets of the wealthy, which is coming more and more at the expense of everyone else.”

Yves Smith, As Dow Sprints to New High, the Middle Class and Manufacturing Languish, March 6, 2013

In 2010, the most recent year with stats available, the top 1 percent of Americans owned 35 percent of all shares of stock, either directly or indirectly through mutual funds and retirement plans. The share of the nation’s stock wealth held by America’s bottom 80 percent? Just 8.3 percent

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“A cynical, mercenary, demagogic press will produce in time a people as base as itself.” – Joseph Pulitzer

“Do not fear the enemy, for your enemy can only take your life. It is far better that you fear the media, for they will steal your HONOR. That awful power, the public opinion of a nation, is created in America by a horde of ignorant, self-complacent simpletons who failed at ditching and shoemaking and fetched up in journalism on their way to the poorhouse.” – Mark Twain.

“We have come out of the time when obedience, the acceptance of discipline, intelligent courage and resolution, were most important, into that more difficult time when it is a person’s duty to understand the world rather than simply fight for it.” – Ernest Hemingway

“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

FEATURES

Can civilization survive capitalism? By Noam Chomsky http://climate-connections.org/2013/03/11/can-civilization-survive-capitalism/

AEPF9: A call for Action: toward a nuclear free world http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article26840

US drone strikes in Pakistan ‘carried out without government’s consent’

UN official says drone attacks violate Pakistan’s sovereignty and Obama administration has repeatedly been told to stop http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/15/us-drone-strikes-pakistan

Arundhati Roy on Iraq War’s 10th: Bush May Be Gone, But “Psychosis” of U.S. Foreign Policy Prevails http://tinyurl.com/ctfo8zt

Halo of hypocrisy: Vatican Inc. pushes reconquest of Latin America http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/53671

Michael Ratner: The New York Times and “Liberal Media” Helped Sell the Iraq War http://www.commondreams.org/video/2013/03/19

John Pilger: The new propaganda is liberal. The new slavery is digital

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/politics/2013/03/new-propaganda-liberal-new-slavery-digital

George Monbiot: In the war on the poor, Pope Francis is on the wrong side: In Latin America a new Inquisition has betrayed Catholic priests who risk their lives to stand up to tyrants – as I’ve witnessed http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/19/war-on-pope-francis-modern-inquisition

Air Power is horribly Expensive and Inefficient, and Drones are no Different (Astore) http://www.juancole.com/2013/03/expensive-inefficient-different.html

Obama Worse Than Bush And Blair: Noam Chomsky – Video and Transcript

“Let’s take Israel/Palestine. I mean, his position is shocking.”

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article34385.htm

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

A People’s Revolt in Cyprus: Richard Wolff on Protests Against EU Plan to Seize Bank Savings http://www.democracynow.org/2013/3/25/a_peoples_revolt_in_cyprus_richard

The Crisis of the European Welfare State – An interview with Asbjørn Wahl http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/789.php

Can the Capitalist State Ensure ‘Full Employment’ by Providing a Replacement Market? http://critiqueofcrisistheory.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/can-the-capitalist-state-ensure-full-employment-by-providing-a-replacement-market/

LAND, LABOUR AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Fred Magdoff: The environmental crisis and capitalism (video) http://links.org.au/node/3252

Henry Bernstein Class Dynamics of Agrarian Change, Fernwood Publishing (Canada) and Kumarian Press (USA) 2010 reviewed by Martin Empson http://climateandcapitalism.com/2013/03/11/class-dynamics-of-agrarian-change/

Marxism as if the planet mattered http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/53682

Idle No More and Defenders of the Land call protests for Indigenous rights http://climateandcapitalism.com/2013/03/19/idle-no-more-and-defenders-of-the-land-call-spring-and-summer-actions/

The hockey stick is real, and it’s worse than we thought – For nearly 15 years, the science deniers have tried to discredit Michael Mann’s “hockey stick” graph. New research not only shows that Mann was absolutely right, but that temperatures haven’t risen this fast since the last ice age. http://climateandcapitalism.com/2013/03/24/the-hockey-stick-is-real-and-its-worse-than-we-thought/

CULTURAL DISSENT

Spirit of 45 hits the mark – Ken Loach’s Spirit of 45 hit cinemas up and down Britain on March 17 and was appreciated by packed audiences from Edinburgh to Brighton. http://socialistresistance.org/4965/spirit-of-45-hits-the-mark

Review: “Lincoln” Somehow Missed the General Strike http://www.labornotes.org/blogs/2013/03/review-%E2%80%9Clincoln%E2%80%9D-somehow-missed-general-strike

Latin America’s Turbulent Transitions – A compelling contribution to our understanding of the challenges facing Latin America’s ‘pink tide’ http://climateandcapitalism.com/2013/03/11/latin-americas-turbulent-transitions/

View from Argentina: Which Direction for Pope with Checkered Past? http://www.labornotes.org/2013/03/view-argentina-which-direction-pope-checkered-past

Africa’s Literary Shape-Shifter – Achebe’s Legacy http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/03/25/achebes-legacy/

Occupy Enbridge: Taking a Stand on Red Lake Sovereign Land http://intercontinentalcry.org/occupy-enbridge-taking-a-stand-on-red-lake-sovereign-land/

Dancing the World into Being: A Conversation with Idle No More’s Leanne Simpson – Naomi Klein speaks with writer, spoken-word artist, and indigenous academic Leanne Betasamosake Simpson about “extractivism,” why it’s important to talk about memories of the land, and what’s next for Idle No More. http://www.yesmagazine.org/peace-justice/dancing-the-world-into-being-a-conversation-with-idle-no-more-leanne-

BULGARIA

The Bulgarian winter of protests http://leftunity.org/the-bulgarian-winter-of-protests/

CANADA

Paul Rose’s tortuous path in search of Quebec liberation http://www.rogerannis.com/paul-roses-tortuous-path-in-search-of-quebec-liberation/

Police in Quebec declare “there is no right to protest” http://www.rogerannis.com/police-in-quebec-declare-there-is-no-right-to-protest/

Quebec and Quebec Solidaire: Linking Sovereignty, Equality and anti-Neoliberalism http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/ls168.php

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

All hell breaks loose in France-dominated Central African Republic http://www.rogerannis.com/all-hell-breaks-loose-in-france-dominated-central-african-republic/

CHINA

Rising China’s Muslim Problem: What is the Future of the Uygurs? (Alimglu) http://www.juancole.com/2013/03/chinas-problem-alimglu.html

China’s workers demand a better trade union http://www.clb.org.hk/en/content/chinas-workers-demand-better-trade-union

CUBA

A Transgender Elected Official Reflects an Evolving Cuba http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/16/world/americas/a-transgender-elected-official-reflects-an-evolving-cuba.html

The following is an excerpt from Nancy Stout’s new book, One Day in December: Celia Sánchez and the Cuban Revolution, published by Monthly Review Press. http://links.org.au/node/3266

CYPRUS
Cypriot bank heist – the Eurozone crisis re-ignites http://leftunity.org/cypriot-bank-heist-the-eurozone-crisis-re-ignites/

EGYPT

The self-management of Port Said and the workers’ struggles http://www.anarkismo.net/article/25022

GREECE

Alexis Tsipras: Greece could be the spark for defeating austerity across Europe – video interview http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/video/2013/mar/19/alexis-tsipras-syriza-greece-video-interview

Greece, Syriza and the Struggle Against Austerity – An interview with Dimitra Maragoudaki and John Milios, members of the Central Committee of SYRIZA http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/786.php

SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras’ London speech: ‘Our pragmatism is subject to our vision for radical change’ http://links.org.au/node/3261

The Crisis Behind the Crisis and the Challenges Facing the Left http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/15232-greece-the-crisis-behind-the-crisis-and-the-challenges-facing-the-left

INDIA

The DMK, Tamil Nadu’s largest political party, has pulled out of the ruling coalition in India because it feels India has not taken strong enough action over war crimes allegations in Sri Lanka. http://blog.srilankacampaign.org/2013/03/dmk-pullout-faq.html

IRAQ

Documentary Exposes US Role in Iraq Sectarian Conflict http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/15135-documentary-exposes-us-role-in-iraq-sectarian-conflict

What we Did to Iraq http://www.juancole.com/2013/03/what-we-did-to-iraq.html

The Costs of War: 10 Years After Iraq Invasion, New Study Tallies the Massive Human, Financial Toll http://www.democracynow.org/2013/3/19/the_costs_of_war_10_years

Iraq’s pain has only intensified since 2003: The country of my birth, already so damaged, is now crippled by fear of all-out civil war. But in the people there is hope http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/14/iraq-pain-2003-civil-war

Ten Years Later, U.S. Has Left Iraq with Mass Displacement & Epidemic of Birth Defects, Cancers http://www.democracynow.org/2013/3/20/ten_years_later_us_has_left

Dahr Jamail Returns to Iraq to Find Rampant Torture and a Failed State Living in “Utter Devastation” http://www.democracynow.org/2013/3/20/dahr_jamail_returns_to_iraq_to

What the US invasion felt like to Iraqis (Kukis) – Journalist Mark Kukis (Time magazine correspondent in Iraq 2006-2009) writes in a guest piece for Informed Comment http://www.juancole.com/2013/03/invasion-iraqis-kukis.html

JAPAN

Two years after Fukushima http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article2914

NEPAL

Nepal’s Unfinished Revolution http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/784.php

PAKISTAN

US drone strikes in Pakistan ‘carried out without government’s consent’ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/15/us-drone-strikes-pakistan

PALESTINE

Obama won’t bring peace to Palestine http://electronicintifada.net/content/obama-wont-bring-peace-palestine/12292

My Neighbourhood: a Palestinian boy’s view of Israeli settlements – video http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2013/mar/17/my-neighbourhood-palestinian-israeli-video

‘It’s Not Your Homeland’: An Interview with Shlomo Sand http://palestinechronicle.com/its-not-your-homeland-an-interview-with-shlomo-sand/

Guerrilla research exposes sponsors of Israeli apartheid http://electronicintifada.net/content/guerrilla-research-exposes-sponsors-israeli-apartheid/12291

POLAND

General Strike preparations in Poland http://leftunity.org/general-strike-preparations-in-poland/

PORTUGAL

“I Prefer the Horses in My Lasagne to the Donkeys in the Government” by

Mark Bergfeld http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/783.php

SOUTH AFRICA

Manipulating the causes of the poor http://terrybellwrites.com/2013/03/22/manipulating-the-causes-of-the-poor/

SRI LANKA

Five infographics about Sri Lanka http://blog.srilankacampaign.org/2013/03/five-inographics-about-sri-lanka.html

SYRIA

Two Years Later: What the Syrian War Looks Like http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2013/03/two-years-later-what-the-syrian-war-looks-like.html

UK

DWP seeks law change to avoid benefit repayments after Poundland ruling http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/mar/15/dwp-law-change-jobseekers-poundland

“The British Left needs to start again…we need a new party” Ken Loach http://leftunity.org/the-british-left-needs-to-start-again-we-need-a-new-party-ken-loach/

The myth of the welfare scrounger

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/03/myth-welfare-scrounger

MoD admits campaign in Afghanistan is ‘an unwinnable war’ http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mod-admits-campaign-in-afghanistan-is-an-unwinnable-war-8535291.html

USA

Striking McDonald’s Guest Workers Headed to CEO’s Chicago Home http://www.thenation.com/blog/173319/striking-mcdonalds-guest-workers-headed-ceos-chicago-home

Guantanamo Hunger Strike: Attorney: “Shocked at Conditions,” “Animal Cages” http://www.juancole.com/2013/03/guantanamo-attorney-conditions.html

Guantanamo Hunger Strike Continues – No Legal Basis for Holding Prisoners Cleared of Crimes

Letter from the US: A tale of two classes http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/53604

VENEZUELA

Chavez’s death, like his life, shows the world’s divisions http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/8350

People don’t know the unique role Chavez played in bringing about the unity and second independence of Latin America. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/03/20133178738331777.html

On Venezuela, The New Yorker’s Jon Lee Anderson Fails at Arithmetic http://nacla.org/blog/2013/3/15/venezuela-new-yorkers-jon-lee-anderson-fails-arithmetic

Chavez renewed Latin America and revived socialism http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/53609

Panel discussion: The future of the Bolivarian Revolution after Hugo Chavez

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=QhgxkM0J3eQ

Hugo Chávez and the Bolivarian Revolution: Legacy and Challenges by

Manuel Larrabure http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/787.php

Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel on life after Chavez. YouTube link (3 min.)

Luis Bilbao: Hugo Chavez, internationalism and revolution http://links.org.au/node/3264

Check out the latest Green Left TV report, on Hugo Chavez and the ongoing revolution – watch it at GLW here or at YouTube here (or see below).

Featured panelists are:

* Dr Arelis Sumabila, a Venezuelan who worked with Chavez and helped establish the indigenous University of Venezuela;

* Federico Fuentes, a member of the Venezuelan Analysis.com editorial collective who has helped lead Australia Venezuela solidarity brigades and reported for Green Left Weekly from Venezuela from 2007 to 2010 and

* Rodrigo Acuna is a PhD candidate in International Studies at Macquarie University, who writes regularly on Latin American affairs in the Australian press and has been interviewed for ABC and SBS Radio.

Chavez: A Life in Pictures – From his humble beginnings in rural Barinas, Hugo Chavez rose from dissatisfied military officer to revolutionary icon. http://venezuelanalysis.com/images/8328