GPJA #524: Sat – Art Exhibition by one of the “Cuban 5” opened by ambassador

WHAT’S ON IN AOTEAROA/NZ

Saturday, , November 22, 2-3.30pm, Depot Artspace, 28 Clarence St, Devonport
Cuba’s Ambassador to New Zealand, Maria del Carmen Herrera, will open an exhibition of paintings by Antonio Guerrero, one of the Cuban Five. The exhibit will run until December 4.
The Auckland Studio Potters, Cari Hill, and Nandhini Mohan will be opening their exhibits at the same event on November 22. For further information on all exhibitions please visit www.depotartspace.co.nz. Ph: 09 963 2331 Antonio Guerrero’s 15 watercolours capture the days in 1998 when the Cuban Five – five political prisoners unjustly imprisoned in U.S. jails – were locked up in the “hole.” Antonio Guerrero, serving a sentence of 21 years and 10 months, is currently in a medium security prison in Florida. He taught himself to draw and paint in prison. Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González, and René González were arrested in 1998, convicted on frame-up charges, and sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from 15 years to double life. René González and Fernando González have served their time and returned to Cuba to a hero’s welcome. The Five were guilty of no crime at all. What they were doing was collecting information on the murderous counter-revolutionary Cuban American paramilitary organisations which operate with impunity from bases in the U.S. These groups have a history of organising bombings, assassinations, and other assaults on Cubans and their supporters within the U.S., in Cuba itself, and in other countries.

Sunday, November 23, 2pm, Kauaeranga Valley Hall, Coromadel
Mark your diaries: Coromandel Watchdog’s Annual General Meeting. It’s been a big year with lots to recap and celebrate and plenty more to plan for. We are also looking for new committee members, so if you are passionate about protecting the Coromandel from mining and able to put some energy into the campaign we would love to hear from you. Bring a plate for a potluck afternoon tea/ late lunch afterwards..

Tuesday, November 25, 7pm, The Peace Palace, 22 Emily Place, Auckland Central

Tuesday, November 25, 5pm, Pat Hannan Rm, Arts 2, Rm 501, Bldg 207, cnre Granfton Td and Symonds St, Auckland

Thursday, November 27, 6.30pm, Owen Glenn Building, Lecture Theatre 3 (level 0), University of Auckland
Professor John Morgan and Associate Professor Peter O’Connor on Whats left for Education? Neoliberalism’s core tenants of free market ideology, unfettered individualism, and choice translated into the education sector sees the development of global metadiscourses or what Stronach (2010) describes as “ hypernarratives which constitute the first global language of Education and allows politicians the world over to talk nonsense about educational outcomes, while singing from the same hymn sheet.” The common narrative is one of market force determinism, privatisation, deregulation, high stake testing, and a narrow focus on literacy and numeracy that collapses and destroys a broad and progressive curriculum. Reforms are called for on the back of government claims of a crisis in education that can only be repaired by market forces. Charter schools, heavy state investment in private schooling sits alongside an ever decreasing funding of core services in state schools, especially in special education provision. Teachers are held responsible for children not achieving in national and international testing, and outside factors including poverty and inequality impacting on student success are largely ignored or trivialised. The return of a National minority government in the election pressages a further dismantling of the state’s role in education. How the Left should or could respond is the topic of this forum. John Morgan and Peter O’Connor teach and research at the Faculty of Education, University of Auckland. Contacts …. p.oconnor j.morgan

November 27-29

Political journalism in the Asia-Pacific. A three-day human rights, social justice and media freedom conference is being hosted by the Pacific Media Centre at AUT University next month to mark 20 years of publishing the Pacific Journalism Review research journal. A special edition is being distributed at the conference and a book issue will be published early next year drawing from papers at the conference on November 27, 28 and 29. Papers include asylum seekers, state surveillance, climate change, murders of journalists with impunity in the Philippines and other countries, e-martial law, Fiji’s return to “democracy”, Māori and indigenous representation, West Papuan self-determination and a host of other issues. Two feature films are also being screened, Cap Bocage and Hot Air. Conference website: http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/articles/pjr-20th-anniversary-conference
Registration: https://www.eventspro.net/aut/getdemo.ei? id=7090112&s=_OQG0YBM4T
Inquiries: pjreview

Friday, November 28, 7.30pm, Mt Albert War Memorial Hall, 773 New north Road, Mt. Albert
ETHIOPIAN BANQUET: Auckland Refugee Family Trust and the Ethiopian Community are hosting an Ethiopian Banquet and an evening of entertainment to raise money and awareness for the Auckland Refugee Family Trust. The Trust raises money to reunite refugee families and all the money from the evening will be going to the airfares of the family members they support to join their loved ones in New Zealand. It should be a fantastic evening and please do share widely. Event details are below and flyer attached. What: Ethiopian Banquet and evening of music and dance. When: 7.30pm, Friday 28 November 2014. Tickets: $50 per person (All proceeds to Akld Refugee Family Trust) To book: ummatrust or phone Gwyn: 09 815 0153

Monday, December 1, 1pm, Parliament, Wellington
Solidarity with West Papua. Fly the Morning Star flag in solidarity with the people of West Papua. RSVP at pma

Thursday, December 4, 11am – 2pm, AUT City Campus, WG404, Auckland
You are invited to attend a public lecture by Professor Sue Yeandle, Director of CIRCLE, the Centre for International Research on Care, Labour and Equalities, at the University of Leeds in the UK. On “ Support for working carers : the UK experience of employer based approaches”

Friday, December 5 12-2pm, 111 Karangahape Rd, Auckland
This powerful book documents the human tragedy unfolding in Papua New Guinea. A country which experiences some of the highest rates of violence against women in the world. Crying Meri gives voice to its victims and the activists who are working for change. Photographer Vlad Sokhin will talk about the book and share some of his latest photography from the Pacific. Join us for this lunchtime event, meet the photographer and buy your own copy of Crying Meri.
Tea, coffee and lunchtime refreshments will be provided, (optional koha appreciated on the day). Vlad will speak from 12.30 – 1.15pm. RSVP to events.manager by 1 December.

Friday, December 12, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Mangere East Community Learning Centre

372 Massey Rd (behind the library), Mangere East,
Manukau City,
Auckland

SAVE THE DATE! for our next CPAG Launch – The complexities of ‘relationship’ in the welfare system and the consequences for children Kia ora! We are excited to announce the upcoming launch of a very significant background paper, The complexities of ‘relationship’ in the welfare system and the consequences for children. Current policies on welfare and relationship fraud have had a major impact on children, in some cases contributing to their poverty and financial insecurity. CPAG asks whether New Zealand’s current system adequately reflects the changed nature of relationships in the 21st century. We look at whether using marital status as the defining characteristic for benefit entitlement best serves the well-being of families and argue the focus needs to shift from what a sole parent is not entitled to, to what she and her children need to thrive. Invitations and registration info will be sent out in another email soon. So make sure to look out for it! We look forward to seeing you there and make sure to invite your friends.

January 23-25, 2015
WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST: 2014 has seen further explosive revelations about the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB). Not only does it systematically spy on New Zealanders – but, as the ongoing revelations from US whistleblower Edward Snowden show, it is routinely privy to American spying on other countries (e.g. on the President of Brazil) by the US National Security Agency (NSA). The NSA spies on everyone. It is essential that more pressure is put on the Government to put an end to the anti-democratic and destructive activities of this NZ spy agency.

New Zealand’s role as an American ally is being steadily reconstituted. But our most significant contribution to Washington’s global effort to manipulate world business and diplomacy is, and has been for more than 25 years, the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with NZ (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there, nor any control.
First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by the GCSB in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret Five Eyes Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its satellite interception dishes intercept a huge volume of civilian telephone calls, e-mail and computer data communications, including Twitter, Facebook and the like.
Five Eyes is the reason for the existence of both the GCSB and Waihopai; it is much more important than ANZUS ever was; it is, in reality, the secret ANZUS.This global spying network is accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, and certainly not citizens. Getting out of Five Eyes is vital to NZ becoming a truly independent nation
Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spy base. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires.
How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head.
Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. It has no proper oversight or control from our Government. Basically it is a foreign spy base on NZ soil and directly involves us in America’s wars and America’s cynical manipulation of business and diplomatic affairs. Waihopai must be closed!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRIDE OPENS IN NZ CINEMAS ON OCTOBER 16.

We are thrilled to announce PRIDE will open in NZ cinemas on October 16.

Pride is a feel-good movie about the 1984 miner’s strike. It is a tender portrait of the real people who stood up and fought for their place in society – full of witty humour, personal and universal stories of triumph and touching moments of humanism. Starring Bill Nighy (Love Actually) and Imelda Staunton (Maleficent) Pride is based on an incredible true story about two seemingly disparate communities who form a surprising and ultimately triumphant partnership.

We thought this film would be of interest to your group/union and we encourage you to spread the word! We would be happy to provide you with some in season passes to giveaway via social media channels/newsletter if you are interested. Or if you have a suitable event/meeting coming up we could provide a number of 2-4-1 passes. Just let me know – happy to hear your suggestions.

View the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsFY0wHpR5o

About the film: Based on an incredible true story, Pride is a film about two seemingly disparate communities who form a surprising and ultimately triumphant partnership.

Set during the Thatcher era, the Welsh mining community of Dulais face dark days as they struggle to make ends meet during the 1984 mineworkers strike. Recognising the sting of marginalisation and driven by a sense of solidarity, a group of gay and lesbian activists in London decide to raise funds for the striking miners and their families. The group call themselves ‘LGSM’ – Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners – and approaches the Mineworkers Union to pledge their support.

But there is a problem – the Union seems unwilling to accept their help. Undeterred, the LGSM members travel to a small village in Dulais to make their donation in person. Initially, they are met with scepticism. But championed by an open-minded few, including local leader Dai and the formidable village matriarch Hefina, the two communities soon overcome prejudice to forge an extraordinary bond.

A terrific ensemble cast portray an array of richly drawn characters in this tender portrait of the real people who stood up and fought for their place in society. A rousing British crowd-pleaser in the spirit of Billy Elliot and The Full Monty, starring Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton, Pride is a funny, affecting and truly inspiring film about how the unlikeliest of unions can bring about the greatest change.

For more information contact Kylie Leggoe <kylie>

JOIN THIS YEAR’S AUSTRALIAN SOLIDARITY DELEGATION TO VENEZUELA DECEMBER 2 – 13, 2014

Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network. Registrations are now open for the Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network’s 2014 solidarity tour to revolutionary Venezuela.
http://links.org.au/node/3700

SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2015,

Come To CAFCA’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, Saturday May 2, Christchurch
See the flyer below for details such as venue, speakers, topics. The flyer is also online at cafca / www.cafca.org.nz / Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/cafcafb / Watchblog: http://tinyurl.com/watchblog / twitter:@NZN4S