GPJA #480: Pedalling for Papua Forum Sat 4pm
October 1, 2013 Leave a comment
GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 480, OCTOBER 1, 2013
GPJA FORUM: PEDALLING FOR PAPUA
Saturday, October 5, 4 pm, Trades Hall 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Jeremy Bally is Pedalling for Papua. West Papua Action Auckland and Global Peace and Justice Auckland invites you to an event with Jeremy Bally a young Canadian who is “Pedalling for Papua” through 7 Countries and 12,000 kilometres. Jeremy has been inspired by his visit to West Papua to tell the story of the West Papuan struggle for freedom from genocide and Indonesian occupation He offers a one man multi-media show which highlights the voices of West Papuan people. He will be cycling the North and South islands promoting awareness of the hidden conflict in West Papua.
Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/241684085984633/
WHAT’S ON IN AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND
Wednesday, October 2, 1pm, Student Union Quad, Auckland University
“Publicly funded but privately run – who really runs the university?” Tertiary Education Union Rally and AUSA are calling for a public rally this Wednesday 2nd of October 1.00pm in the Student Union Quad. The rally is a joint action between the TEU and AUSA to bring attention to two key issues: The lack of serious Government investment in the tertiary sector; and The disturbing centralized style of management and the attack on student democracy and academic freedom at this university. The Rally theme will be “Publicly Funded, Privately Run – Who controls the University?” Speakers: MC is Martyn Bradbury; Speakers: Vernon Tava; John Minto; Jane Kelsey; Campbell Jones; Hannah Williams (AUPISA Rep). Free food will be available on the day.
https://www.facebook.com/events/424667737633320/
Saturday, October 5, 4 pm, Trades Hall 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Jeremy Bally is Pedalling for Papua. West Papua Action Auckland and Global Peace and Justice Auckland invites you to an event with Jeremy Bally a young Canadian who is “Pedalling for Papua” through 7 Countries and 12,000 kilometres. Jeremy has been inspired by his visit to West Papua to tell the story of the West Papuan struggle for freedom from genocide and Indonesian occupation He offers a one man multi-media show which highlights the voices of West Papuan people. He will be cycling the North and South islands promoting awareness of the hidden conflict in West Papua.
Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/241684085984633/
Wednesday, October 9, 6pm, Owen Glenn Building, Auckland University
Putting the TPPA to the test. Is it good for NZ. Speakers: Jane Kelsey, proffessor of Law; Wayne Mapp, Lawyers, member of the Law Commission, former MP. Sponsored by the Fabian Society.
Thursday, October 10, 5pm, BECA Auditorium, 21 Pitt Street, Auckland central
5.00 pm doors open (drinks and nibbles); 5.30 pm presentations; 7.00 pm event closes. Streets for People – Learning from New York. Paul Steely White – Executive Director Transportation Alternatives. Transportation Alternatives is a non-profit organization in New York City which seeks to change New York City’s transportation priorities to encourage and increase non-polluting, safer and calmer neighborhood streets, and city-friendly travel that decreases private car use. The organisation is committed to reclaiming New York City’s streets for people and ensuring every New Yorker has safe public spaces in which to walk and bike and access to public transport. Paul will share his first hand experience in the revitalisation of New York for place, people and active transport and take part in a conversation on key learnings for Auckland. Transportation Alternatives: www.transalt.org/
Wednesday, October 30, 6.30pm, Maidment Theatre, Alfred Street, Auckland University
Jesson Memorial Lecture: Rt Hon Sir Edmund Thomas on “Reducing Inequality – A Strategy for a Cause”. Bar opens at 5.30pm. The speaker, a Distinguished Fellow at the Law School at The University of Auckland, argues that the gross inequality in income and wealth which besets New Zealand is the outcome of the neo-liberal economic measures of the mid- 1980s and early 1990s and the culture of liberal individualism and unfettered free market ideology which it spawned. A breakdown in social cohesion and a sense of community is the result. Reforms to counter this inequality are widely mooted. But increasing focus and discussion on the topic is confronted by a plethora of mantras and myths purveyed by the rich and powerful. The stimulus for change is deadened. The speaker advances a strategy designed to provide a coherent impetus to reduce the rank inequality that now prevails.
Tuesday, December 10, 5.30pm, Mt Eden Village Centre, cnr Ngaururohe St and Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden
Book Launch: Peace, Power & Politics: How New Zealand became nuclear free. Speakers: George Armstrong, Claudia Pond Eyley, Bunny McDiarmid. Music: Caitlin Smith. RSVP for catering purposes: annie.newman@sfwu
JOIN THE 2013 SOLIDARITY BRIGADE TO VENEZUELA – DECEMBER 4-13, 2013
Witness a people’s revolution in action. The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network’s 14th international solidarity brigade to Venezuela this December is a very special opportunity to observe, learn about and be inspired by the Bolivarian revolution that is transforming Latin America and challenging the greed and exploitation of global capitalism by showing that a better world is possible.
Brigade registration and costs
The registration deadline for the 2013 brigade is October 1, 2013. Accommodation, transport within Venezuela and English-Spanish translation throughout the brigade will be organised for all participants by the AVSN.
Participants will need to book their own international airfares. Please do not purchase your tickets before the registration deadline of September 1.
In addition to your international airfare, you will need to budget for approximately $1200. This will cover your brigade registration fee ($500 for waged workers or $350 for students/pensioners), and your food, transport and (shared) accommodation in Venezuela.
To register or for more information: EMAIL: brigades
December 7-13, 2013
18TH WORLD FESTIVAL OF YOUTH AND STUDENTS – QUITO, ECUADOR.
The Festival is a unique opportunity to meet with youth and students from around the world to discuss how to advance social and political struggles today on an anti-imperialist axis. It will be held in Quito, Ecuador this December 7-13 and will be hosted by the Ecuadoran government. They are ready to receive thousands of young people. The 17th Festival was in Pretoria, South Africa in 2010 with some 12,000 participating. Discussion and debates will take place at the Festival on the fight against the consequences of imperialism and the worldwide capitalist economic crisis, the struggle for democratic rights and sovereignty, how to advance culture and education, and protect the environment. For more information nznpc18wfys
January 24-26, 2014
CLOSE THE WAIHOPAI SPYBASE NOW! Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch. E-mail abc www.converge.org.nz/abc
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SIGN THE TPPA PETITION NOW! WATCH CELEB VIDEO! SEND TO FRIENDS!
Had enough of the secrecy of the TPPA negotiations? So have a number of prominent Kiwi actors, musicians and commentators. They have made a video that airs on TVNZ Breakfast and TV3 Firstline on Tuesday 1 October
calling for the government to release the TPPA text – and urging you to sign the petition to the PM now. View the video and sign the petition on www.itsnotright.org.nz Let’s make it snowball. Text, tweet, email, facebook to at least five of your friends and get them to pass it on … Together we can force the TPPA out into the daylight.
http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=2af728ed394d2e3c92f383cd5&id=c307111c0b&e=400b29f860
GET FREE – A CALL TO ACTION
GET FREE is a call to action. A call against the reckless expansion of fossil fuel extraction in the lands and waters of Aotearoa New Zealand. GET FREE is a call for groups and individuals who want a future based on clean energy free of the harms of dirty energy and climate change. GET FREE is a call for New Zealanders to uphold their right to protest as an essential democratic freedom. GET FREE is a call to reclaim NZ’s integrity and independence and to break free from the influence of those who are now pulling New Zealand in a direction that risks our oceans, our land and our good name in the world. GET FREE is yours, it’s all of ours. Use it. Get Active and GET FREE!
WISE RESONSE – SIGN THE APPEAL
Ours is a biologically complex and exquisite planet. Caring, informed people now accept that a healthy sustainable environment is integral to all life and that our future depends on having genuine sustainability as our core goal.
Today, most scientists believe critical “thresholds” are upon us, that the consequences are likely to be disastrous and irreversible if we do not make urgent fundamental changes. In this respect the links between climate change, current fossil fuel extraction and combustion, and a stable economy are deeply concerning. So far, New Zealand has failed to truly face up to such unprecedented threats to its security.
We, the undersigned, therefore call on the New Zealand parliament to face up to the situation and forthwith, dispassionately assess the risks in the following five priority areas*and from those recommendations, design cross-party policies to avert any confirmed threats to give future generations the very best chance of security, peace, social justice and opportunity.
1. Economic security: the risk of a sudden, deepening, or prolonged financial crisis.
2. Energy and climate security: the risk of continuing our heavy dependence on fossil fuels.
3. Business continuity: the risk exposure of all New Zealand business, including farming, to a lower carbon economy.
4. Ecological security: the risks associated with failing to genuinely protect both land-based and
marine ecosystems and their natural processes.
5. Genuine well-being: the risk of persisting with a subsidised, debt-based economy, preoccupied with maximising consumption and GDP.
* for further explanation on these five, refer to “The Appeal” on this website
Please add your name to the Appeal to be formally presented to parliament, and your comments for other Kiwis to read.
“I support a National Risk Assessment of the five subjects identified in the Appeal for a wise political response to our deteriorating world.”
http://wiseresponse.org.nz/?page_id=136
1913 STRIKE: CENTENNIAL EVENTS
During the later months of 1913 New Zealand society was rocked to its foundations by a bitter industrial dispute involving some 16,000 workers, massive demonstrations and a wave of violence on a scale that arguably, has yet to be matched. The series of spontaneous strikes, known as the Great Strike of 1913, stretched across New Zealand and reached almost all corners of society. When work returned to normal in December and January, the strike had cost employers around £1,000,000 and labour relations in the country had been changed forever.
To mark the centenary of this profoundly transformative episode in our history, the Labour History Project Inc. (LHP)—a non-profit national organisation to research, preserve, present and celebrate New Zealand’s labour history—alongside a number of unions, local bodies, and culture and heritage institutions, have organised a range of exciting projects.
Wellington guided walks of the key sites of struggle; an interactive website featuring digitised archival records and photography; People’s History walks on the strike and other aspects of New Zealand’s past; an exhibition at the Museum of Wellington City & Sea; as well as talks by prominent labour historians, are just some of the events planned for the 1913 Strike Centennial. To find out more, please explore the projects in the left-hand menu.
October 8 2013 A century of remarkable women in the PSA and their struggle for pay equity (Brenda Pilott). 5.30pm at the National Library, corner Molesworth & Aitken St
October 15 2013 Looking for Māori in the Maoriland Worker, 1910-1914: ‘tatau tatau’ vs ‘half-caste Māori’ scabs (Cybèle Locke). 5.30pm at the National Library, corner Molesworth & Aitken St
October 22 2013 Reds & Wobblies: working-class radicalism & the state 1915-25 (Jared Davidson). 5.30pm at the National Library, corner Molesworth & Aitken St
During and after the First World War, the New Zealand Government enforced a strict censorship regime due to fears of political and industrial unrest. ‘Reds & Wobblies’ highlights these actions, and discusses the working-class radicalism that caused such fears – from the ashes of Joe Hill to the deportation of Noel Lyons.
October 29 2013 Dreadnoughts, picture palaces and revolutionists: 1913, Wellington and the World (Peter Clayworth). 5.30pm at the National Library, corner Molesworth & Aitken St
November 5 2013 Flashpoint of history – 1913 strike. 12pm street event starting at the Museum of Wellington City & Sea, Queen’s Wharf.
November 12 2013 What happened to them afterwards – Savage, Fraser, Freyberg, Cullen? (Mark Derby). 5.30pm at the Museum of Wellington City & Sea, Queen’s Wharf.
November 19 2013 1913: still relevant after all these years? (Jim McAloon, Melanie Nolan, MUNZ & RMTU). 5.30pm at the Museum of Wellington City & Sea, Queen’s Wharf. A packed night of talks, introduced by LHP Chair Jim McAloon. Featuring a talk by leading labour historian Melanie Nolan, and presentations by MUNZ (The New Zealand waterfront in 2013: back to the future?) and the RMTU (Development of solidarity on the waterfront since 1913).
REMINDER FOR 2013 JESSON JOURNALISM PRIZE ENTRIES
The deadline is approaching for the Bruce Jesson Foundation journalism prize competition, offering funding for high-quality critical journalism. The 2013 competition opened as recent winner Max Rashbrooke unveiled a new book supported by his Jesson award: Inequality: A New Zealand Crisis – and what we can do about it (Bridget Williams Books, 2013).
Entries for the 2013 Bruce Jesson Journalism Prizes are now invited both from self-nominating senior journalists and the Heads of New Zealand journalism schools. Entries will be assessed by members of the Foundation’s Journalism Sub-committee: Geoff Kemp (convenor), Camille Guy, Joe Atkinson, Simon Collins, and Jon Stephenson.
Details are available on the Foundation g.kemp). The DEADLINE for receipt of entries is 5pm, Monday, September 30, 2013.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE ROGER AWARD FOR THE WORST TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OPERATING IN AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND IN 2013
You can access the nomination form online at http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/2013Nomination.doc (Word) or
cafca Nominations close on October 31, 2013. Please note that Fonterra is not eligible
LIVING WAGE TO FEATURE AT LOCAL ELECTIONS
Candidates will be asked by communities to step up for a Living Wage at this year’s local body elections in Auckland, Wellington and beyond. The Living Wage Movement will hold seven meetings in Auckland with communities that want to see employees and contracted workers at Auckland Council paid a Living Wage. Living Wage Aotearoa NZ will join with the following Auckland communities to call for a Living Wage and to support other critical issues that really matter to their communities:
Pacific Communities @ Pacific Island Church Otara | October 4, 5-7pm
BEST ON THE WEB
NEW ZEALAND
Privacy Commissioner colludes with GCSB in cover up http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1309/S00311/privacy-commissioner-colludes-with-gcsb-in-cover-up.htm
Racism: Tolerated and trivialised in New Zealand http://m.aljazeera.com/story/2013691024183680
A Healthy Treaty of Waitangi-based relationship with Crown http://www.maoricouncil.com/a-healthy-treaty-of-waitangi-based-relationship-with-crown/
Gordon Campbell (Scoop): On muzzling the Ruataniwha dam evidence http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2013/09/27/gordon-campbell-on-muzzling-the-ruataniwha-dam-evidence/
A brief word on my beef with Generation Zero By Martyn Bradbury http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/10/01/a-brief-word-on-my-beef-with-generation-zero/
Putting the care into aged care http://fightback.org.nz/2013/09/25/putting-the-care-into-aged-care/
Who was Key really representing at the UN? http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1309/S00268/who-was-key-really-representing-at-the-un.htm
Valierie Morse: Privacy Commissioner colludes with GCSB in cover up http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1309/S00311/privacy-commissioner-colludes-with-gcsb-in-cover-up.htm
The day Seeby Woodhouse becomes the enemy By Martyn Bradbury – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/09/24/the-day-seeby-woodhouse-becomes-the-enemy/#sthash.7xNF4Ntj.dpuf
Phillip Mills: The good oil? There’s no such thing http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11129385
‘Climate refugee’ bid denied http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9202819/Climate-refugee-bid-denied
Transgender inmates can request prison transfers http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11130005
SkyCity: Dirty deeds done dirt cheap By Laila Harré – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/09/26/skycity-dirty-deeds-done-dirt-cheap/#sthash.eq1Qskib.dpuf
The courage of their convictions http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9184686/The-courage-of-their-convictions
Embassy of Cuba in New Zealand Newsletter 29 September 2013 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1309/S00309/embassy-of-cuba-in-new-zealand-newsletter-29-september-2013.htm
Last nights hack attack against The Daily Blog By Martyn Bradbury – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/09/25/last-nights-hack-attack-against-the-daily-blog/#sthash.nxKOASS9.dpuf
MMP doesn’t mean the top polling party leads the government By Keith Locke – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/09/30/mmp-doesnt-mean-the-top-polling-party-leads-the-government/#sthash.AKs6fCsY.dpuf
“It’s a miracle no one died” – three former prison doctors call for review of prison health services http://brookingblog.com/2013/09/30/its-a-miracle-no-one-died-three-former-prison-doctors-call-for-review-of-prison-health-services/
Otago prisoner crippled by lack of medical treatment http://brookingblog.com/2013/09/29/otago-prisoner-crippled-by-lack-of-medical-treatment/
Dental torture – ‘tangible negligence by government officials’ http://brookingblog.com/2013/09/29/dental-torture-tangible-negligence-by-government-officials/
$92m for family carers http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/9214236/92m-for-family-carers
New scheme will pit disabled people against loved ones – group http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11131969
Justice and Peace Now! Talking Cents, October 2013. Talking Cents is an ecumenical group charged by the Anglican Diocesan Council to promote an alternative to current economic and political thought, and to encourage debate within the church. Ministry units are encouraged to distribute these articles. This article is contributed by Peter Bargh, from the Social Justice Council of the Diocese of Auckland. http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/tcents1013.pdf
‘Sad day’ as school takes fight to High Court (0:58) http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/sad-day-school-takes-fight-high-court-video-5593416
Students locked out of fees meeting (4:30) http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/students-locked-fees-meeting-video-5593134
NZ – POVERTY AND INEQUALITY
The reality of Poverty under the National Government By Tali Williams http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/09/25/the-reality-of-poverty-under-the-national-government/
Supreme Court no route to Justice for 230,000 NZ children http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1309/S00312/supreme-court-no-route-to-justice-for-230000-nz-children.htm
Paula Bennett’s voodoo economics http://masspolicy.blogspot.co.nz/2013/09/paula-bennetts-voodoo-economics.html
At risk families jump housing queue http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/9218208/At-risk-families-jump-housing-queue
‘Significant’ rise in disconnections – Labour http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9230486/Significant-rise-in-disconnections-Labour
LABOUR LEADERSHIP DEBATE
John Moore: The left’s new love for Labour http://liberation.typepad.com/liberation/2013/09/john-moore-the-lefts-new-love-for-labour-.html
What’s Love Got To Do With It? Chris Trotter responds to John Moore’s critique of David Cunliffe http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/09/25/whats-love-got-to-do-with-it-chris-trotter-responds-to-john-moores-critique-of-david-cunliffe/#sthash.LzG6waXl.dpuf
NZ – ECONOMY
Imagine if neoliberal revolution was reversed http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/columnists/chris-trotter/9200551/Imagine-if-neoliberal-revolution-was-reversed
Colonisation, capitalism and the housing crisis http://fightback.org.nz/2013/09/24/colonisation-capitalism-and-the-housing-crisis/
Calls for Govt to release draft text of TPPA http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11132757
Key accused of spreading TPPA ‘mistruths’ http://www.3news.co.nz/Key-accused-of-spreading-TPPA-mistruths/tabid/1607/articleID/315300/Default.aspx
Multi-lateral work on food security or secret trade and investment deals for corporations? Which way NZ? By James Ritchie – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/09/30/multi-lateral-work-on-food-security-or-secret-trade-and-investment-deals-for-corporations-which-way-nz/#sthash.HxgQt2xJ.dpuf
Key must stop misleading NZers that Parliament has power over the TPPA http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00001/key-must-stop-misleading-nzers-that-parliament-has-power-ove.htm
Dita De Boni: Trade deal could keep us on the leash http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11130595
Govt bail-out of Solid Energy privatisation by stealth http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1310/S00029/govt-bail-out-of-solid-energy-privatisation-by-stealth.htm
Accounting for the Government – Affording our future – what should be the long-term government policy and expenditure priorities in New Zealand – with Professor Sue Newbury from the University of Sydney School of Business. http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/nights/audio/2570593/accounting-for-the-government
CTU: Low pay makes home lending restrictions worse http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1309/S00315/low-pay-makes-home-lending-restrictions-worse.htm
NZ – WORKRIGHTS
KFC calls back disabled staff http://unitenews.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/kfc-calls-back-disabled-staff/
CTU calls on Minister to resign http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00003/ctu-calls-on-minister-to-resign.htm
CTU responds to Minister’s attack – “The attack by ACC Minister on the training of Health and Safety representatives today undermines the commitment over 27,000 workers have made to taking on the challenging role of representing workers in health and safety in their workplaces”, said Helen Kelly, CTU President today. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00016/ctu-responds-to-ministers-attack-on-health-and-safety-reps.htm
A victory for democracy at Auckland Council http://us7.campaign-archive1.com/?u=40d1625914d729c9e0590cfe1&id=2aeccf1603&e=d9bbdc5346
Cleaners beg Govt to drop law changes http://www.3news.co.nz/Cleaners-beg-Govt-to-drop-law-changes/tabid/1607/articleID/314802/Default.aspx
The cleaner & the ugly face of National http://thestandard.org.nz/the-cleaner-the-ugly-face-of-national/
Cleaners beg Govt to drop law changes http://www.3news.co.nz/Cleaners-beg-Govt-to-drop-law-changes/tabid/1607/articleID/314802/Default.aspx
Ports of Auckland dispute newsletter 30 September 2013 http://www.munz.org.nz/2013/09/26/ports-of-auckland-dispute-newsletter-30-september-2013/
Forestry widows and children want answers http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9224079/Forestry-widows-and-children-want-answers
Court says SkyCity can’t flout NZ smoke-free law http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1309/S00540/court-says-skycity-cant-flout-nz-smoke-free-law.htm
Super City elections 2013: Living wage gets a big tick http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11132520
Tougher line to protect migrant workers http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9227760/Tougher-line-to-protect-migrant-workers
The Maritimes – 1913-2013 A century of struggle http://issuu.com/maritimeunion/docs/maritimes_43_hi_res
STATS OF THE WEEK
Some 46.5 million Americans, the Census Bureau reports, lived in official poverty last year, under $23,050 for a family of four, under $11,170 for a single person. Among kids under 18, over 20 percent spent 2012 under the poverty line. How much money would eliminating U.S. poverty take? Analyst Matt Bruenig last week crunched the Census data and came up with a total: $175.3 billion. That, he notes, would be enough to “bring every person in the United States up to the poverty line.” Some perspective: The wealth of America’s 400 richest individuals, Forbes magazine reports, has jumped by $300 billion over the last year . . . http://www.toomuchonline.org/tmweekly.html
“New Zealand’s GDP per capita has only just got back to where it was in 2008 and unemployment has been higher than Australia for the longest period recorded. If our GDP per capita had continued to grow at its historical rate, it would be 11 percent higher than it is now, a total loss of almost 6 months output per person since the beginning of 2008. These are huge economic losses and enormous social consequences.” https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/18076151/CTU%20Monthly%20Economic%20Bulletin%20150%20September%202013%20%281%29.pdf
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“Wars will be stopped only when soldiers refuse to fight, when workers refuse to load weapons onto ships and aircraft, when people boycott the economic outposts of Empire that are strung across the globe. ” – Arundhati Roy, Public Power in the Age of Empire
“Come you masters of war You that build all the guns You that build the death planes You that build the big bombs You that hide behind walls You that hide behind desks I just want you to know I can see through your masks” – Bob Dylan
FEATURES
The Empire President: Jeremy Scahill on Obama’s “Neo-Con” Doctrine of Military Force in U.N. Speech http://www.democracynow.org/2013/9/25/the_empire_president_jeremy_scahill_on
Top 45 Lies in Obama’s Speech at the U.N. http://warisacrime.org/content/top-45-lies-obamas-speech-un
Glenn Greenwald, Jeremy Scahill Working On New NSA Revelations http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/29/glenn-greenwald-jeremy-scahill-nsa-assassination_n_4010405.html?utm_hp_ref=media
We Have Been Misled By An Erroneous Map Of The World For 500 Years http://www.upworthy.com/we-have-been-mislead-by-an-erroneous-map-of-the-world-for-500-years?g=2
Noam Chomsky on the era of the drone http://www.satellitemagazine.ca/2013/09/noam-chomsky-on-the-era-of-the-drone/
UK detention of Reprieve activist consistent with NSA’s view of drone opponents as ‘threats’ and ‘adversaries’ http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/25/nsa-uk-drone-opponents-threats
NSA Stories Around The World – Revelations continue to produce outcomes on multiple levels in numerous countries around the world http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36322.htm
Of Cultures Destroyed by Western Sexual Exploitation and Violent Religious Prudery http://tinyurl.com/medrryg
Pope Francis lashes out at world economic system for worshiping a ‘god called money http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/09/22/pope-francis-lashes-out-at-world-economic-system-for-worshiping-a-god-called-money/
Sexual violation isn’t about sex http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/columnists/9204857/Sexual-violation-isn-t-about-sex
Slave Labor? Mass Prisons? FIFA Mangles the World Cup and the Beautiful Game http://www.thenation.com/blog/176366/slave-labor-mass-prisons-fifa-mangles-world-cup-and-beautiful-game
Prospects for a Continental Workers’ Movement: A Friendly Debate by Dan La Botz http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/885.php
FROM OUR HISTORY
The first peoples revolution Atens 508BC
WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
TPP Protestors Scale Trade Building To Bring Attention to Secretive Deal http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=10793
LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT
The eight report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a stern warning http://www.rogerannis.com/ipcc-eight-report/
The crisis of civilisation is an unprecedented opportunity – Converging climate, energy, and economic crises signal the potential to transition to a prosperous post-carbon era http://www.theguardian.com/environment/earth-insight/2013/sep/24/crisis-civilisation-unprecedented-opportunity-transition
Climate change: science confirms danger, now governments must act http://www.ituc-csi.org/climate-change-science-confirms?lang=en
Kumi Naidoo on the Urgency of Climate Action http://billmoyers.com/segment/kumi-naidoo-on-the-urgency-of-climate-action/
Climate change and capitalism by michael roberts http://thenextrecession.wordpress.com/2013/09/28/climate-change-and-capitalism/
CULTURAL DISSENT
The Act of Killing By Chris Hedges http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36319.htm
Film: Wobblies (1979 | full documentary)
Tied in a Knot: Narratives from Bride Seeking Regions of India examines the newly emergent phenomenon of bride buying and commoditization of the female body in India, and the attendant gender based violence that the sourced, bought, or trafficked brides undergo in their marital homes. http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/ls187.php
AUSTRALIA
Australia’s Aboriginal children – The world’s highest suicide rate http://thestringer.com.au/australias-aboriginal-children-the-worlds-highest-suicide-rate/#.UkSpr4Zmio_
West Papuans deported to PNG after Australian asylum bid http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/27/freedom-flotilla-asylum-seekers-deported-png
BAHRAIN
Bahrain jails another 37 activists for up to 15 years:
The ruling comes one day after the court sentenced 50 other activist and protest leaders, most of whom gave confessions under torture according to a human rights group.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/sept-30-2013.htm
BANGLADESH
Dozens injured as 200,000 Bangladesh Garment Workers Demand Wages of $100 per Month – See more at: http://portside.org/2013-09-23/dozens-injured-200000-bangladesh-garment-workers-demand-wages-100-month#sthash.9pc7lrsr.dpuf
Bangladeshi workers set fire to factories http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/bangladesh-garment-workers-police-clash/story-fn3dxix6-1226724836878
Thousands demand higher wages in Bangladesh factory protest http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/9/23/tens-of-thousandsprotestlowwagesinbangladesh.html
BOLIVIA
Bolivian president to sue US govt for crimes against humanity http://rt.com/news/morales-obama-humanity-crimes-109/
Bolivia’s cogent responses to recent provocations from the Empire http://lifeonleft.blogspot.co.nz/2013/09/bolivias-cogent-responses-to-recent.html
BRAZIL
Brazilian President Rousseff Launches Tirade Against US Over NSA Surveillance http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36323.htm
CHINA
Dock Workers At Two Shenzhen Ports Stage Strikes For Higher Pay http://www.mua.org.au/news-story/3723/
CUBA
Message from the Five Heroes http://www.granma.cu/ingles/cuba-i/12sept-mensaje.html
The Story Behind the Injustice: 15 Years of Unjust Imprisonment http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/nuevazelanda/EN/Home/tabid/21832/ctl/Details/mid/33379/ItemID/32318/Default.aspx
Cuba’s Other Internationalism: Angola 25 Years Later by Kevin Edmonds http://nacla.org/blog/2013/9/27/cubas-other-internationalism-angola-25-years-later
EGYPT
Egypt faces third revolution unless workers’ demands are met, warns union http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/25/egypt-third-revolution-workers-union?CMP=twt_gu
New ‘Anti-Brotherhood, Anti-Military’ Front Launched to ‘Achieve Revolution Goals’ http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/14297/new-anti-brotherhood-anti-military-front-launched
GREECE
Huge protests across Greece after the murder of Pavlos Fyssas by neonazis – See more at: http://left.gr/news/huge-protests-across-greece-after-murder-pavlos-fyssas-neonazis#sthash.dPX8NxJc.dpuf
Golden Dawn’s rise signals breakdown of the Greek state’s authority http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/24/golden-dawn-greece-state-authority
50.000 march on Golden Dawn headquarters in Athens http://roarmag.org/2013/09/antifascist-protest-athens-pavlos-fyssas/
The Surge of Neo-Nazism in Greece http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/19065-the-surge-of-neo-nazism-in-greece
The crackdown on Golden Dawn and the need for the Left to regain the initiative http://lastingfuture.blogspot.gr/2013/09/greece-crackdown-on-golden-dawn-and.html
IRAN
Prolonging Pain: Sanctions on Iran over nukes hurt most vulnerable
MEXICO
Narcoland: Journalist Braves Death Threats to Reveal Ties Between Mexican Government & Drug Cartels http://www.democracynow.org/2013/9/27/narcoland_journalist_braves_death_threats_to
NIGERIA
Strike continues, says ASUU http://thenationonlineng.net/new/strike-continues-says-asuu/
PACIFIC
WEST PAPUA: A daughter’s plea for a political prisoner – Filep Karma http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/west-papua-daughter-s-plea-political-prisoner-filep-karma-8420
Indonesian police open fire on civilians in West Papua http://www.asia-pacific-solidarity.net/news/guardian_indonesianpoliceopenfireo_250913.htm
PAKISTAN
Pakistan ‘anti-terrorism’ court jails left-wing activists for 10 years for protesting http://links.org.au/node/3523
“My Mother Was Killed By A U.S. Drone” By Robert Greenwald http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36335.htm
PALESTINE
Zionist Apartheid: A Crime Against Humanity http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36331.htm
Palestine: Give Democracy A Chance http://www.palestinechronicle.com/palestine-give-democracy-a-chance/
Veolia Sells Off All Bus Lines in Israel/Palestine! http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id=3688
The Palestinian village erased from the map: Demolition of Makhul shows how Israelis are transforming the Jordan Valley, despite international condemnation http://tinyurl.com/jvsorpu
Students storm Gaza’s Rafah crossing gate http://kiaoragaza.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/students-storm-gazas-rafah-crossing-gate/
PERU
Workers Strike to Protest President’s ‘Unfulfilled Promises’ http://www.argentinaindependent.com/currentaffairs/peru-workers-strike-protest-presidents-unfulfilled-promises/
PHILIPPINES
Foreign mining companies scored for HR abuses, environmental damage in N. Vizcaya – See more at: http://pinoyweekly.org/new/2013/09/foreign-mining-companies-scored-for-hr-abuses-environmental-damage-in-n-vizcaya/#sthash.wUxC6lYi.dpuf
QATAR
Qatar World Cup construction ‘will leave 4,000 migrant workers dead’ http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2013/sep/26/qatar-world-cup-migrant-workers-dead
RUSSIA
Pussy Riot’s Nadezhda Tolokonnikova: Why I have gone on hunger strike http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/sep/23/pussy-riot-hunger-strike-nadezhda-tolokonnikova
Protest or Piracy? Greenpeace Activists Remain Jailed in Russia After Boarding Arctic Oil Rig http://www.democracynow.org/2013/9/26/protest_or_piracy_greenpeace_activists_remain
SOMALIA
How the West helped create Somali terror https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/55056
SUDAN
Sudan riots : “The president dares say he’s brought us prosperity !” http://observers.france24.com/content/20130926-sudan-riots-president-bashir-protests
SYRIA
Opposing Intervention in Syria Without Apologizing for a Dictatorship
TUNISIA
Tunisia’s Islamist government to resign and pave way for fresh elections http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/28/tunisia-islamist-government-to-resign
UK
50,000 attend Manchester protest against austerity http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/sep/29/thousands-protest-manchester-austerity
Trident: this £100bn Armageddon weapon won’t make us one jot safer http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/25/100bn-armageddon-weapon-wont-make-us-safer
Hovis workers win – Zero hours contracts are toast http://union-news.co.uk/2013/09/hovis-workers-win-zero-hours-contracts-toast/
History is on McCluskey’s side: Unite must go beyond the law http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/alex-wood/history-is-on-mccluskeys-side-unite-must-go-beyond-law
Mike Marqusee on Left Unity — ‘A party to dream of’ http://links.org.au/node/3531
Ed Miliband’s critics’ real fear is that he will win the election http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/24/miliband-critics-fears-he-will-win-election
Blacklisting 2013 – The Workers Strike Back
The ‘murder and mayhem’ squad: Shocking new revelations by former undercover soldier who carried out ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ attacks on IRA terrorists for the British Army Read more: http://tinyurl.com/jw89s5j
USA
Michael Douglas blasts the US penal system at the Emmys. He’s exactly right http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/24/michael-douglas-emmys-son-prison-system
Matt Taibbi on How Wall Street Hedge Funds Are Looting the Pension Funds of Public Workers http://www.democracynow.org/2013/9/26/matt_taibbi_on_how_wall_street
Outsourcing America: Sodexo Food Service Contractor Siphons Cash From Kids and Soldiers http://tinyurl.com/kj7k4c6
California prison hunger strike leader: ‘If necessary we’ll resume. This is war’
Exclusive: From solitary confinement at the brutal Pelican Bay, Todd Ashker led a protest that shook the US penal system http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/27/california-prison-hunger-strike-todd-ashker
Freed by DNA, Angola Prisoner Henry James on His 30 Years Behind Bars for Crime He Didn’t Commit http://www.democracynow.org/2013/9/30/freed_by_dna_angola_prisoner_henryhttp://www.democracynow.org/2013/9/30/freed_by_dna_angola_prisoner_henry
Poll: 42% Say Capitalism Not Working For US http://www.popularresistance.org/poll-42-say-capitalism-not-working-for-us/
USA – WORKERS REVOLT
Subways in Seattle face pickets over firing http://www.thestand.org/2013/09/picketers-shut-down-seattle-subway-over-firing/
Paul Krugman: Rage of the Privileged http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/26/rage-of-the-privileged/
The Sub-Subminimum Wage: Is It Legal to Pay $2 an Hour? http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/15665/is_it_legal_to_pay_2_an_hour/
WalMart sex-discrimination case has been a game changer http://www.salon.com/2013/09/27/the_impact_and_echoes_of_the_wal_mart_discrimination_case_partner/singleton/
Low-wage workers, top-down unions http://wagingnonviolence.org/feature/low-wage-workers-top-unions/
USA – SPYING SCANDAL
Spies versus Scribes http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/the-nsa-s-threat-to-press-freedom-by-naomi-wolf
The NSA Deserves a Permanent Shutdown By Norman Solomon – The NSA, using the latest digital technology, is able to squirrel away the content of telephone, e-mail and text communications — in effect, “TiVo-ing” it all, available for later retrieval. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36386.htm
VENEZUELA
“THE Commune Or Nothing”: Popular Power And The State In Venezuela http://www.coha.org/the-commune-or-nothing-popular-power-and-the-state-in-venezuela/
A day with Nicolas Maduro http://links.org.au/node/3533
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