GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 354, NOVEMBER 3, 2010
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANTIWAR PROTEST AT PARLIAMENT TOMORROW (WED)
Tomorrow (Thursday), 4:30pm there will be a demonstration outside Parliament. Hilary Clinton will be at Parliament for a reception. The organizers of the demo are from Peace Action Wellington and the banner theme will be Troops out of Afghanistan.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, TRADES HALL
GPJA is co-sponsoring two special events next Tuesday evening – make sure to be there! They follow one another at the Auckland Trades Hall.
Tuesday, November 9, 5.30-7pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
BOOK LAUNCH: with Jane Kelsey (Professor of Law, Auckland University) and Lori Wallach (the Research Director of Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch). The free trade agreement between the US and NZ has expanded to a US-plus-eight negotiation called the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement that also involves Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. In NO ORDINARY DEAL: UNMASKING THE TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP FREE TRADE AGREEMENT Jane Kelsey has brought together eighteen other experts from New Zealand, Australia, the US and Chile to expose the realities and risks of negotiations that aim to lock in the failed model of global free markets for the indefinite future. Lori Wallach, a leading US activist against free trade deals, will launch the book and discuss the US politics surrounding the negotiations under the Obama administration. Refreshments provided.
Tuesday, November 9, 7pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
NZ Speaking Tour By Filipino Progressive Leaders. WHY SHOULD NEW ZEALANDERS BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF PEACE TALKS AND WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE PHILIPPINES? Two senior international representatives of the NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) Mr Luis Jalandoni and Ms Coni Ledesma will be in Aotearoa this November hosted by local Solidarity organisations to speak under the theme “Justice and Liberation: The Road to Peace in the Philippines.” Auckland Philippines Solidarity (APS) will hold public meetings to draw the attention of New Zealanders to one of Asia’s most vibrant people’s movements. The speaking tour will be an opportunity for New Zealanders to critically view the ties that bind the Philippines and NZ.
Protest the World Dairy Summit and Fonterror 8-11th November
The World Dairy Summit is a four day conference with international speakers and attendees organised by the International Dairy Federation with Fonterra as one of the main sponsors. The Summit is being held on the 8th-11th November. Dairy products are promoted as eco-friendly and cruelty-free with images of dairy cows grazing in idyllic pastures, but that is far from the truth. Dairy production involves artificial insemination, mass slaughter of 2-day old bobby calves and calf induction (which often includes bashing their skull with a hammer), diseases such as mastitis and the slaughter of animals for beef at a young age. The ecological destruction caused by dairy farming involves effluent pollution in waterways, soil degradation and greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change. About 50% of NZ’s contribution to climate change comes from dairy and meat agriculture. Dairy consumption is also linked to human diseases such as osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes and heart disease etc while the dairy industry spreads misinformation on the health “benefits” of dairy. More info: www.cawds.org.nz
Auckland Protest Details
Monday 8th Nov: 8am – 10.30am outside Skycity
Tuesday 9th Nov: 8am – 9am outside Skycity, 11.30 – onwards rally outside Skycity
Wednesday 10th Nov: 8am – 9am outside Skycity, 12.00 noon – Office demo at the Gold Sponsor Orica, Where: 123 Carlton Gore Road, New Market
Thursday 11th Nov: 8am – 9am outside Skycity, 7pm – Debrief and dinner following the conclusion of the Summit. Bring a plate of yummy vegan food and come hang out with your new, and old, comrades, discuss how the week has been and anything else you may want to share. Where: Cityside, 8 Mt Eden Road.
Wellington
Monday 8 November – 12.00pm: Starts at the bucket fountain in Cuba Mall, then march to Fonterra’s offices in Vodafone House at Midland Park. Bring all your friends, drums, placards and lets of energy to show Fonterra we are not going to tolerate their abuse of animals and our environment.
VIDEO FREE ON DEMAND FROM NZONSCREEN
In a Land of Plenty Film, 2002 (Documentary, Historical) http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/in-a-land-of-plenty-2002
Someone Else’s Country Film, 1996 (Documentary) http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/someone-elses-country-1996
Patu! Film, 1983 (Documentary) http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/patu-1983
Bastion Point – The Untold Story Television, 1999 (Documentary, Māori) http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/bastion-point—the-untold-story-1999
Try Revolution Television, 2006 (Documentary) http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/try-revolution-2006
Gallipoli: The New Zealand Story Television, 1984 (Documentary) http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/gallipoli-the-new-zealand-story-2009
The Shadow of Vietnam Television, 1995 (Documentary) http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/the-shadow-of-vietnam-1995
Land of a Thousand Lovers Television, 1977 (Documentary, Māori):In 1885 the NZ Government used legislation to take ownership of sections of Bastion Point (Takaparawhau) for defence purposes. This ancestral Māori land belonging to Ngāti Whātua was never returned, and in 1976 Crown announced plans to sell off land for high income housing. Joe Hawke led a group of peaceful protesters which occupied the land for 507 days, until they were forcibly removed by more than 700 members of police and army. This documentary examines some of the issues behind the protest that polarised a nation http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/land-of-a-thousand-lovers-1977
REFUGEE SERVICES AOTEROA NZ – “WE NEED BEDS……”
WE NEED BEDS!! plus COTS, CHEST OF DRAWERS, DINING TABLES AND CHAIRS!!
On 13th August the latest group of Quota refugee families will leave Mangere Refugee Reception Centre to go to the first home they have ever had in Auckland….At the moment though, the home is unfurnished. From Friday 29 October until Saturday 27th November we need to collect:
15 double or queen size beds; 10 single beds ; 15 chest of drawers; 15 dining room tables (preferably with chairs); 11 Rice Cookers; 15 coffee tables; Dinner plates; Glasses; Any bunk beds if possible; Any child safety gates for stairs.
We can only accept furniture in really good condition. They will need to be clean and without holes in the fabric, or stuffing coming out, or any significant marks on them. Our drivers are also not authorised to accept furniture which is broken or unstable, or which has missing parts. If you would enjoy passing on furniture to us which fits our needs, we would love to hear from you! Please contact Chandra at Refugee Services if you can help. We may consider other items too. THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!! Our drivers Jafar and John can pick up beds and other items on Fridays or Saturdays. Alternatively you are welcome to deliver to us at a mutually convenient time. Chandra is happy to arrange a pickupfrom your premises, or a drop-off at our warehouse. Please contact her on: T: (09) 621 0014 M:(021) 228 2053 Email:Chandra.yogeswaran@refugeeservices.org.nz
Please also advise potential donors to contact our office administrator Chandra Yogeswaran as per the flyer chandra.yogeswaran@refugeeservices.org.nz or telephone 09 621 0014.
FUNDRAISING BOOKLET
We have just completed a fundraising guide to use to encourage groups to stop using pokie revenue and get back to the old ways of fundraising. I wonder whether you might be able to let your members know about it, it can be downloaded at http://www.pgfnz.org.nz/Latest-News/0,2733,13332,00.html
PROBLEM GAMBLING FOUNDATION www.pgfnz.org.nz
JUSTICE AND LIBERATION: THE ROAD TO PEACE – FILIPINO PROGRESSIVE LEADERS TO TOUR NZ OCTOBER/NOVEMBER
Luis Jalandoni is the International Representative of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF, http://www.ndfp.net), a post that he has held since 1977, and since 1994 he has been the Chairperson of the NDF’s Negotiating Panel for peace talks with the Government of the Philippines. The NDF is the coalition of several underground groups, including the Communist Party of the Philippines and its New People’s Army, which has been waging a war of liberation throughout the Philippines for more than 40 years, making it one of the longest running armed struggles in the world. The country desperately needs peace with justice and security, so resolving this people’s war is central to that. Luis will be accompanied by his wife Coni Ledesma, who will also be speaking. She is a member of the NDF Negotiating Panel for peace talks; and is the International Spokesperson of MAKIBAKA, a revolutionary women’s group which belongs to the NDF. Luis and Coni are both veteran leading figures in the Philippine revolutionary Left. He was a Catholic priest in the 1960s and she was a nun. Both were founders of Christians for National Liberation, a member group of the NDF. When Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972, both went underground. They were both arrested and spent time as political prisoners. They left the clergy, and got married in 1974. They have lived in The Netherlands since 1976; they were the first Filipinos to apply for and receive political asylum there. They hold Dutch passports and travel extensively as NDF representatives. We are appealing for funds. PSNA will underwrite the tour, but we definitely need financial help because we are hosting two people. The amount needed is $10,000. The two international fares from Europe is the biggest cost, at $6,000. We will keep their domestic travel costs as cheap as possible. Please make cheques to PSNA, Box 2450, Christchurch, with a note saying that it is for the Jalandoni tour. Or, we will supply our bank account details upon request.
ITINERARY
Thursday November 4 – Hamilton: Public Meeting –7.30 p.m., Waikato Trade Union Centre, 34 Harwood Street. Contact: BobAnderson, (07) 8297882, 021 776023; ban@xtra.co.nz
Friday November 5 – Whangarei: Public Meeting Manaia PHO Rooms, Rust Ave,central Whangarei. Contact: Tim Howard 027 3089216 the-farm@ihug.co.nz
Tuesday 9 November – Auckland: Public Meeting, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, 7pm
Wednesday 10 November – Auckland: Women’s Forum with Connie Ledesma, Auckland University, Maori Studies 9am – 12pm (RSVP to Maori Studies)
Friday 12 November – Auckland: 7 p.m. Solidarity Dinner for Justice and Peace in the Philippines, Civic Building, Strata 17, Civic Building, Mayoral Drive: Tickets $30 (Dinner, entertainment cash bar). Contact: Luke Coxon (09) 8276059, 028 25803203 luke_coxon@yahoo.com
WHAT’S ON IN AUCKLAND
Thursday, November 4, 9am-5pm, Conference Room 1 – Copthorne Hotel Auckland City 196 – 200 Quay Street
Globalisation and Labour in the Pacific: Re-evaluating the 1890 Maritime Strike. Organised by the Auckland Labour History Group and the Labour History Project in association with the Australian Society for the Study of Labour History and NZWALMI. Papers will be presented on the 1890 strike, its broader political and historical impact, the nature of Pacific Rim connections in the labour market and between labour organisations, lessons for contemporary labour relations in the maritime industry in the Pacific, and the impact of globalisation generally in Pacific Rim labour relations. Attendance: All welcome. Fee: $40 includes lunch and refreshments. All registrations to Ann Williamson at nzwalmi@aut.ac.nz Information subject to change
Saturday, November 6, 10am, Aotea Square
We Burmese Democratic Exiles cordially invite all the people who support Democracy and
Human Rights for Burma to join the protest to condemn for the upcoming Military Junta
pre-arranged Fake Burma’s Election 2010. Burma ‘s Elections, scheduled for November 07,2010, are designed to legalize Military Rule in Burma under the 2008 Constitution, which was written to create a permanent Military Dictatorship in our motherland, Burma. After the Election, the Constitution will come into effect, a so-called Civilian Government will be formed by acting and retired Generals who all are under the Military commander-in-chief and the people of Burma will legally become the subjects of the Military. The National League for Democracy and Ethnic allies has refused to accept the regime’s constitution and have decided to Boycott the Elections. The Military Regime’s constitution and severely restricting election laws demonstrated to all of the oppositions the true intention the regime has for this election — the legalization and legitimization of military rule in Burma. Speakers: Keith Locke MP, Green Party; Barry Wilson Council of Civil Liberties; Phil Twyford MP, Labour Party; Ven Obasa Chairman, IBMO. In solidarity, Soe Thein, On behalf of Burmese Exile Community 0211631071 soethein0001@yahoo.co.nz
Saturday, November 6, 2pm, QE2 Square, Downtown
Rally for Justice and Peace in Palestine, come and support justice and peace based on an end to 42 years of Israeli Occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip (including East Jerusalem), the right of return for Palestinian refugees, sharing Jerusalem, vacating all settlement colonies in Israeli occupied Palestine, and dismantling Israel’s annexation / apartheid wall in occupied Palestine. Starts 2pm, QEII Square, Customs Street and Queen Street intersection, outside Downtown Shopping Centre. Organised by the Palestine Human Rights Campaign, for more information contact email or go to this web site.
Sunday, November 7, 9am, Radio NZ
Luis Jalandoni (international representatives of the NDFP – National Democratic Front of the Philippines) Will Be Interviewed On Sunday Morning with Chris Laidlaw
Sunday, November 7, 5.30pm, Gold Class Lounge, Level 4 at the Event Cinema Queen Street
Mt Albert Playcentre presents ‘Made in Dagenham!’. From the director of Calendar Girls comes the new comedy-drama with an all star British cast, Made in Dagenham. The film stars the award winning Sally Hawkins as Rita OGrady who is the catalyst for the 1968 Ford Dagenham strike by 187 sewing machinists which led to the advent of the Equal Pay Act. Working in extremely impoverished conditions and for long arduous hours, the women at the Ford Dagenham plant finally lay down their tools when they are reclassified as unskilled. With humour, common sense and courage they take on their corporate paymasters, an increasingly belligerent local community, and finally the government itself. The leader of the womens struggle is fast-talking, no nonsense Rita whose fiery temper and occasionally hilarious unpredictability proves to be a match for any of her male opponents, and is echoed by Barbara Castle’s struggle in the male-dominated House of Commons. Movie starts at 6pm on 7th November 2010. Meet in the Gold Class Lounge on level four at the Queen Street cinema at 5:30pm to purchase tickets from Heather. Tickets are $16. Percentage of ticket price goes to Mt Albert Palycentre camp funds to pay for children to attend camp on Goat Island.
Monday, November 8, 6.30pm, Lecture Theatre B28, (Beneath library, Alfred St), Auckland University
Is peace in the Middle East possible? Hear the surprising answer from award-winning speaker Anna Baltzer, former Fulbright scholar, Columbia University graduate, author, grand-daughter of Holocaust refugees, and recent guest on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Baltzer will present eyewitness reports on the conflict & the exciting nonviolence movement for peace. She will be signing copies of her acclaimed book, Witness in Palestine: A Jewish American Woman in the Occupied Territories.
CHAIR: Dr. NICHOLAS ROWE
Senior Lecturer Dance Studies and author of ‘Raising Dust: a Cultural History of Dance in Palestine’. KOHA requested. Hosted by Students for Justice in Palestine, Palestine Human Rights Campaign & Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
www.palestine.org.nz Raised with a traditional view on the issue, Baltzer’s perspective changed when she moved to the West Bank to work with nonviolent Palestinians and Israelis. Baltzer’s courageous voice for coexistence and insistence on honest reporting has led to more than 200 television appearances and lectures at more than 500 universities, churches, synagogues, mosques, think tanks, and other policy institutes around the world. She serves on the Board of Directors of The Research Journalism Institute, Grassroots Jerusalem, and The Council for the National Interest.
Monday, November 8 –11, SkyCity Convention Centre,
On the 8-11th of November, the World Dairy Summit is being held in Auckland, New Zealand. The World Dairy Summit is an international conference organised by the International Dairy Federation, a non-profit private sector organization representing the interests of various stakeholders in dairying at the international level. The main platinum sponsor of this event is Fonterra. The conference will bring together dairy experts from around the world to discuss topics such as government policies, farming, science, nutrition and health, marketing and the environment. The Coalition Against the World Dairy Summit (CAWDS) is made up of animal rights, social justice and climate activists who are coming together to highlight the animal abuse, environmental destruction and social aspects of the global dairy industry. Fonterra are the main corporate dairy power in New Zealand and one of the biggest exploiters of cows, ‘third world’ markets and the earth. We would like solidarity actions whether it is symbolic or direct actions and liberations against your local Fonterra targets or the dairy industry in general. Start getting a group together, research a target and get in touch with the co-alition for more details!! www.cawds.org.nz cawds10@gmail.com
Tuesday, November 9, 5.30-7pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
BOOK LAUNCH: with Jane Kelsey (Professor of Law, Auckland University) and Lori Wallach (the Research Director of Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch). The free trade agreement between the US and NZ has expanded to a US-plus-eight negotiation called the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement that also involves Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. In NO ORDINARY DEAL: UNMASKING THE TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP FREE TRADE AGREEMENT Jane Kelsey has brought together eighteen other experts from New Zealand, Australia, the US and Chile to expose the realities and risks of negotiations that aim to lock in the failed model of global free markets for the indefinite future. Lori Wallach, a leading US activist against free trade deals, will launch the book and discuss the US politics surrounding the negotiations under the Obama administration. Refreshments provided.
Tuesday, November 9, 7pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
NZ Speaking Tour By Filipino Progressive Leaders. WHY SHOULD NEW ZEALANDERS BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF PEACE TALKS AND WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE PHILIPPINES? Two senior international representatives of the NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) Mr Luis Jalandoni and Ms Coni Ledesma will be in Aotearoa this November hosted by local Solidarity organisations to speak under the theme “Justice and Liberation: The Road to Peace in the Philippines.” Auckland Philippines Solidarity (APS) will hold public meetings to draw the attention of New Zealanders to one of Asia’s most vibrant people’s movements. The speaking tour will be an opportunity for New Zealanders to critically view the ties that bind the Philippines and NZ.
Wednesday, November 10, 9am-12pm, Rm 101 Maori Strudies, Auckland Uni.
WISE WOMEN SPEAK: An intergenerational – inter movement korero on the liberation of women and self determination. FEATURING: International Guest Coni Ledesma –Makibaka, Free Movement of New Women, Philippines; Titewhai Harawira – Ngapuhi; Annette Sykes – Lawyer and activist. RSVP Helen Te Hira aotearoasolidarity@gmail.com 09 280 3372 or 0272888894
Friday, November 12, 3pm, Waikaraka Park, Onehunga
F G EVANS Waihi Miners Strike 1912 “He died for his class” COMMEMORATION
Followed by refreshments at the NDU Office. Contact Karl Andersen
karl.andersen@ndu.org.nz
Friday, November 12, 7pm, Civic Building, Strata 17, Civic Building, Mayoral Drive
Solidarity Dinner for Justice and Peace in the Philippines: Tickets $30 (Dinner, entertainment cash bar). Contact: Luke Coxon (09) 8276059, 028 25803203 luke_coxon@yahoo.com
Sunday, November 14, 5.45pm, Academy Cinema, Public Library, Lorne St, City
YOU ARE INVITED TO THE LAUNCH OF THE AUCKLAND REFUGEE FAMILY TRUST
A new trust, formed at the initiative of the ARCC to raise and distribute money so that refugee families can be reunited in NZ. Mix and mingle 5.45pm, screening 6.15pm. NZ Premiere screening of MOTHER FISH A story of two Vietnamese sisters. We will be joined by the UNHCR Regional Representative, Rick Towle, and the President of the National Refugee Coalition, Kafebe Mundele, to celebrate this significant occasion. Tickets are $20 each. To purchase or if you cannot attend but would like to make a donation, please
EITHER direct credit Kiwibank ARFT 38 9010 0704176 00 with your surname and number of tickets as reference and email this information to the Treasurer (Janfrie Wakim) at jwakim@xtra.co.nz OR post cheques to The Treasurer ARFT, P.O. Box 47008, Ponsonby, with contact details. TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION (UNDER SURNAME BOOKED) AT THE ACADEMY CINEMA ON ARRIVAL
Monday, November 15, 7.30pm, Peace Place, 22 Emily Place, Auckland City
Films at The Peace Place. Continuing a series of films that challenge the insanity of war…
Hearts and Minds Director: Peter Davis (1974). Running Time: 112 minutes. Admission by Koha. Critics’ comments about Hearts and Minds were either glowingly positive or damningly negative, but rarely anything in between: “…a masterpiece in political documentary film making” or “a hatchet job anti-Vietnam War propaganda film”.
Sunday, November 21, 9.30am – 4pm, AUT Wellesley Street Conference Centre
Refugee Stories Symposium: This Symposium will consist of a day of testimonies about various aspects of the refugee experience, presented by former refugees who are now resident in New Zealand. REGISTRATION: Early bird Registration (by 1 October 2010) $75.00. Standard registration (after 1 October) $90.00. How to register and further information at www.aut.ac.nz/cre The day will also include a keynote speaker and cultural items. For all enquiries contact AUT Centre for Refugee Education Ph administration 921 9367 | refugeecentre@aut.ac.nz
Saturday, November 27, 8pm, 3 Pearce St, Onehunga
GRAN TOCATA SOLIDARIA con la Nacion MAPUCHE: Doors open : 8PM. Show will start at 8;30pm until late. Entry$10. The show will include the following artists: Makehue Dance Group; Manu Da Banda; Jah Red Lion; Calle Latina and others. JUSTICE FOR THE MAPUCHE in CHILE – FREE ALL MAPUCHE POLITICAL PRISIONERS NOW. Organised by AOTEAROA MAPUCHE NETWORK Red MAPUCHE de AOTEAROA. WHAT TO DO IN AOTEAROA TO SUPPORT THE MAPUCHE STRUGGLE. BECOME INFORMED. BE A DONOR- WEEKLY AND MONTHLY TO SUPPORT DIRECTLY A MAPUCHE COMMUNITY. EDUCATE OTHERS. For more information FACEBOOK PAGE http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=111802392214336
Saturday, December 4, 7pm, Cityside Hall, 8 Mount Eden Road, Auckland
Rebel Press warmly invites you to a: BOOK LAUNCH of The day the raids came: Stories of survival and resistance to the state terror raids. Music, food and readings. On October 15th, 2007 an estimated 300 police raided houses all over Aotearoa New Zealand and arrested people based on warrants issued under the Terrorism Suppression Act. Lives were turned upside down as the police searched for evidence of ‘terrorism.’ This book is a collection of oral history interviews of people affected by those raids and the aftermath: defendants, friends, family, supporters and other people subject to the state’s coercive powers on that day. The case is the first ever attempted use of the Terrorism Suppression Act, a piece of legislation enacted in response to the 9/11 events in New York and Washington DC. The terrorism charges were not brought, but the people arrested continue to face a long journey to freedom as the state seeks to punish political activists and to reinforce the status quo.
For more information, please contact ryankb@gmail.com
Saturday, December 11, 4pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby
A seminar with Rusdi Marpaung, Prominent Human Rights Activist and Senior Researcher and co-founder of Imparsial (Indonesia Human Rights Monitor). Chair: John Minto Global Peace and Justice Aotearoa (GPJA). Rusdi has just completed post Graduate studies in International Human Rights Law and Policy at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. Rusdi brings a wealth of experience in challenging the Indonesian Government to uphold human rights over issues such as anti-terrorism law, post conflict management in Aceh, and the ongoing conflict in Maluku and West Papua. Rusdi was a colleague of the late Munir a key figure in the democratic struggle who was tragically murdered in 2004. This seminar will be preceded at 3-30 p m by the AGM of the Indonesia Human Rights Committee: Contact Indonesia Human Rights Committee Box 68-419, Auckland 1125 maire@clear.net.nz (Ample parking or take the Link bus)
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“Let them call me a rebel and I welcome it; I feel no concern from it; but I should suffer the misery of demons should I make a whore of my soul”. Thomas Paine
“Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrations and revolutionists”. Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Movements are like this. They are grassroots, often underground, and they start with crazy people who are willing to believe in the impossible. Movements never start in corporate offices with executives drawing up a master plan…if we truly want to see the world changed, we must begin as a band of madmen, welcoming other crazy people who want to be a part of something bigger than themselves.” Neil Cole
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More Boards To Take Action Over Standards http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1011/S00031/more-boards-to-take-action-over-standards.htm
People Before Pokies http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1011/S00054/people-before-pokies.htm
NZEI: First Big Funding Drop for Early Childhood Service http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1011/S00001/first-big-funding-drop-for-early-childhood-service.htm
NZ WORK RIGHTS
Workers up the ante – another Aotearoa is possible http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.com/2010/10/workers-up-ante-another-aotearoa-is.html
PHOTOS: Nationwide Day of Action 20.10.10 http://www.flickr.com/photos/union/collections/72157625068540425/
Teacher Aides Become Casualties of Govt’s ECE Cuts http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1010/S00087/teacher-aides-become-casualties-of-govts-ece-cuts.htm
Massey to hire staff for good – not just 90 days http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1010/S00088/massey-to-hire-staff-for-good-not-just-90-days.htm
Yet More Evidence of the Chaos Around Standards http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1010/S00085/yet-more-evidence-of-the-chaos-around-standards.htm
CTU: Government fails to listen on employment law change http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1011/S00022/government-fails-to-listen-on-employment-law-chang.htm
Historic Kiwirail Employment Agreement Signed http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/historic-kiwirail-employment-agreement-signed/5/70147
Stalling wage growth highlights inequality By Green Party http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?l=1&t=92&id=60122
NDU: Union wage settlements outstrip average http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1011/S00015/union-wage-settlements-outstrip-average.htm
CTU: Wages – new approach needed http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1011/S00014/wages-new-approach-needed.htm
Historic sleepover case filed against disability support employers http://www.psa.org.nz/Home/NewsFeed/10-10-29/Historic_sleepover_case_filed_against_disability_support_employers.aspx
Unions are vowing to ramp up their demands for better pay and working conditions. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/60355/unions-vow-to-ramp-up-industrial-action
8-hour day scarce but day off intact http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/4266391/8-hour-day-scarce-but-day-off-intact
THE HOBBIT DEBATE
Gordon Campbell: On The Hobbit finale http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/10/28/gordon-campbell-on-the-hobbit-finale/
CTU Statement on The Hobbit and Warners http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1010/S00636/statement-on-the-hobbit.htm
Ian Mune defends Hobbit actors http://tvnz.co.nz/entertainment-news/jackson-goes-hobbit-offensive-3848212/video?vid=3848676
ONE News Extra: Helen Kelly discusses The Hobbit (5:05) http://tvnz.co.nz/entertainment-news/jackson-goes-hobbit-offensive-3848212/video?vid=3848304
Hobbit debate moving into the realms of fantasy http://blog.greens.org.nz/2010/10/21/hobbit-debate-moving-into-the-realms-of-fantasy/
‘In Cheryl West’s words … would I want to root my own industry?’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/news/4267772/In-Cheryl-Wests-words-would-I-want-to-root-my-own-industry
Gordon Campbell: Latest stage of The Hobbit drama http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1010/S00141/gordon-campbell-latest-stage-of-the-hobbit-drama.htm
‘Hobbit’ remains here, at a price http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/133661/hobbit-remains-here-price
NZ ECONOMY
Peter Lyons: Mantra of free market ideology wearing thin http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10682955
Opinion: Why New Zealand needs to ramp up its Serious Fraud Office massively to rebuild investor confidence http://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/opinion-why-new-zealand-needs-ramp-its-serious-fraud-office-massively-rebuild-investor-confidence
Lie of the land http://www.listener.co.nz/issue/3674/features/16311/lie_of_the_land.html
Can we afford poverty? http://thestandard.org.nz/can-we-afford-poverty/
Treasury: peering into the dark with a broken torch http://thestandard.org.nz/treasury-peering-into-the-dark-with-a-broken-torch/
CTU: 2025 Taskforce or 1984 rerun? http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1011/S00050/2025-taskforce-or-1984-rerun.htm
NDU: Deregulation policies have failed the economy http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1011/S00046/deregulation-policies-have-failed-the-economy.htm
CTU: The CTU hit out today at the BNZ for saying that sub-4 percent unemployment in 2008 was ‘artificially low’. http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/unemployment-artificially-high/5/70230
CULTURAL DISSENT
In The RED by The MOLOTOV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlDo0t0Jrh4&feature=player_embedded#!
Shakespeare on immigration http://liammacuaid.wordpress.com/2010/10/26/shakespeare-on-immigration/
Roma punks rise at the right time http://links.org.au/node/1961
LAND, LABOUR AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Most ‘green product’ claims are misleading http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=3361
Barry Commoner: Capitalism versus the environment http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=3331
Bill Maher: Global warming is not a debate http://climateandcapitalism.com/?p=3327
Video: “From Cochabamba to Cancun: Press Breakfast with Pablo Solon” Now Available
On October 22, 2010, Ambassador to the Plurinational State of Bolivia for the United Nations, Pablo Solon, spoke to reporters about Bolivia’s participation and perspective in the UN Climate Change negotiations at an event hosted by CEPR. Ambassador Solon, having just returned from the latest climate change negotiations in Tianjin – China, offers a behind-the-scenes account of what the process has been and what can be expected at COP-16 in Cancun this December. He also discusses Bolivia’s perspective and the crucial role of social movements in finding just and viable solutions to the climate change crisis. You can view the video here.
FEATURES
Slavoj Zizek: Why Far Right and Xenophobic Politicians Are on the Rise in Europe http://tinyurl.com/33l36hg
WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
Why growth still feels like recession: Think the US economy’s 2% growth is a good news story? Think again: it has to be 2.5% just to stop joblessness rising http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/oct/29/us-growth-2-unemployment
Currency wars and the privilege of empire http://links.org.au/node/1965
AFGHANISTAN
Any hope I had in the ballot box bringing change in Afghanistan is gone – If Karzai’s re-election was a fraud, Obama’s surge of troops brought just more violence. For Afghans he’s the ‘second Bush’ by Malalai Joya in Kabul http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/nov/02/hope-ballot-box-afghanistan-gone
AUSTRALIA
Australia Welcomes Asian Refugees with Detention in For-Profit Jails — Or by Just Allowing Them to Drown – Boat arrivals only make up 5% of Australia’s annual humanitarian intake. There are approximately 50,000 “illegal” persons in Australia at any one time and most are British. http://tinyurl.com/2fhpykl
BRAZIL
Brazil wins with Dilma Rousseff – It’s not the result Washington wanted, but Dilma’s victory creates the chance to consolidate Brazil’s social progress under Lula http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/nov/01/brazil-republicans/print
CANADA
A confession and coercion By Dan Gardner, Citizen Special http://www.ottawacitizen.com/columnists/confession+coercion/3731487/story.html
The peril of refugees – It’s wrong to create a new class of refugees http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/peril+refugees/3731488/story.html#ixzz13gzeMJmt
Canada Seeks to Drop Native Peoples from New Biodiversity Pact http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=53241
CHINA
‘A Turning Point in the Long Struggle’: Chinese Citizens Defend Liu Xiaobo http://www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2010/oct/18/turning-point-long-struggle-chinese-citizens-defen/
Rumblings of Reform in Beijing? http://www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2010/oct/20/rumblings-reform-beijing/
CUBA
Reply by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, on ‘Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”. http://realcuba.wordpress.com/2010/10/27/reply-by-the-minister-for-foreign-affairs-of-cuba-bruno-rodriguez/
Interview with Irma Gonzalez – The daughter of a Cuban anti-terrorist fighter on the fight to free her father http://realcuba.wordpress.com/2010/10/21/morning-star-interview-with-irma-gonzalez/
Behind the new economic measures in Cuba http://links.org.au/node/1968
INTERNATIONAL LEFT DEBATES CUBA’S NEW ECONOMIC MEASURES by Richard Fidler
http://www.socialistvoice.ca/?p=1378
EGYPT
Egypt: The gathering storm http://www.marxist.com/egypt-the-gathering-storm.htm
FRANCE
Sarkozy should retire, says France: By taking to the streets to defend their pension rights from regressive cuts, the French are fighting for all our benefits http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/oct/20/france-protest
Big protests as movement debates way forward http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45900
HAITI
Cholera in Haiti: Another Disease of Poverty in a Traumatized Land by Joia Mukherjee
Chief Medical Officer, Partners In Health http://www.pih.org/index.php/news/entry/cholera-in-haiti-another-disease-of-poverty-in-a-traumatized-land/
Haiti nine months after the quake: Poor tell West, ‘Nothing! Nothing! We’ve seen nothing!’ http://links.org.au/node/1969
INDIA
Media, Mobs And The Search For Spectacles By Arundhati Roy http://www.countercurrents.org/roy011110.htm
Pity The nation By Arundhati Roy http://www.countercurrents.org/roy271010.htm
India’s soaring economy hurts poor: The high demand for housing is coming at a cost to the poor. Families of Dharavi slum are being evicted to make way for billion-dollar apartment developments. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2010/11/2010111193334890182.html
Indian Author Arundhati Roy Faces Arrest for Questioning India’s Claim on Kashmir: Video and transcript:
The award-winning Indian author Arundhati Roy is facing possible arrest in India on sedition charges after publicly advocating for Kashmir independence and challenging India’s claim that Kashmir is an “integral part of India.”
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/10/27/acclaimed_indian_author_arundhati_roy_faces
IRAQ
Wikileaks Docs Underestimate Iraqi Dead: For all their value, the newly leaked documents will, unfortunately, reinforce the inaccurate lower estimates of Iraqi mortality. http://www.alternet.org/story/148622/wikileaks_docs_underestimate_iraqi_dead
IRELAND
Ireland: The Rise & the Crash by Ian Jack http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2010/nov/11/ireland-rise-crash/?page=1
Video from Belfast Trade Union rally against Cuts 24th October 2010 http://swp.ie/news/video-belfast-trade-union-rally-against-cuts-24th-october-2010/3745
PALESTINE
Gaza blockade continues to exact high humanitarian toll – UN rights expert http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=36540&Cr=palestin&Cr1
“ZIONISM AND PEACE ARE INCOMPATIBLE”: At last somebody has said it in the most explicit way possible. The somebody also said: “The problem is Zionism and the solution is dismantling the Zionist framework and instituting a secular democracy that does not discriminate between Israelis and Palestinians.” The somebody was Miko Peled, a Jewish peace activist who was born in Israel and lives in America. http://www.alanhart.net/zionism-and-peace-are-incompatible/
Caterpillar has stopped selling bulldozers to Israel… for now – The Israeli press is reporting that Caterpillar is withholding the delivery of tens of D9 bulldozers—valued at $50 million—to the Israeli military. A suspension of the sale of bulldozers is what we have been asking Caterpillar for over seven years now. This is a great win, but this is no time to let off the pressure. Click here to read more and take action.
PHILIPPINES
NDF chief negotiator might pay Aquino visit – CPP founder http://dateline.ph/?p=9039
No timetable set for Morong 43’s release, says Malacañang http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101031hed5.html
NDFP reconsiders visit to Manila of NDFP Negotiating Panel Chairperson http://www.philippinerevolution.net/cgi-bin/statements/stmts.pl?author=fa;date=101102;lang=eng
Aquino urged: Negotiate for Peace without Preconditions, not for Trans-Pacific Partnership entry http://www.migrante-aotearoa.org.nz/?p=105
SOUTH AFRICA
What would Chris Hani say today? http://links.org.au/node/1966
SPAIN
In Spain, Homes Are Taken but Debt Stays http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/world/europe/28spain.html?_r=1&ref=world
UK
Spending review cuts trigger Downing Street protests: Hundreds of workers and students descend on Whitehall to noisily vent their anger against the sweeping cuts to welfare and public spending announced by the chancellor, George Osborne http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/video/2010/oct/21/spending-review-uk-protests
Fight the cuts protest – Mark Serwotka – PCS | Downing Street | 20 October http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNwgMXkk75I&feature=player_embedded
Fight the cuts protest – Jeremy Dear – NUJ | Downing Street | 20 October http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1Yo4FsHD-I&feature=player_embedded
Britain’s economic policy deficit: Hurrah for the UK coalition government, which will prove for the rest of us just how disastrous cutting your way out of recession is http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/oct/25/economics-economy
Con-Dem government to roll back social gains won since WWII http://links.org.au/node/1951
USA
Book excerpt: The Great American Stick-Up: How Reagan Republicans and Clinton Democrats Enriched Wall Street While Mugging Main Street http://tinyurl.com/2f5lx6k
Socialism? The Rich Are Winning The US Class War: Facts Show Rich Getting Richer, Everyone Else Poorer By Bill Quigley http://www.countercurrents.org/quigley251010.htm
VENEZUELA
Venezuela and the Millennium Development Goals http://links.org.au/node/1949
Ecuador, Venezuela: Danger south of the border http://links.org.au/node/1960
OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS
INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM ‘CONVERSATION’, AUT DECEMBER 4-5
• Asia-Pacific and NZ keynote speakers
• Investigative updates, challenges and documentary film workshops
• Investigative photojournalism
• Frames of War photo exhibition
• Masterclass in investigative journalism
Plus:
• A special seminar on peace journalism
• General papers on media, society and technology
AUT University Conference Centre, 9am, Saturday, December 4-Sunday, December 5, 2010.
Practitioners, journalists, academics, researchers, activists, students who work in the creative industries and the public are invited to participate in a Fourth Estate “conversation” at the inaugural Media, Investigative Journalism and Technology Conference 2010.
A legacy of the conference will be the establishment of a collaborative and supportive group dedicated to investigative journalism in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Keynote speakers:
• Kunda Dixit, editor of the Nepali Times and visiting New Zealand as the PMC’s 2010 Asian Journalism Fellow, sponsored by the Asia New Zealand Foundation;
• Professor Wendy Bacon, director of the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism,
• New Zealand investigative journalist and author Nicky Hager.
• Jim Simon, assistant managing editor of the Seattle Times, leader of a team of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists.
Also featured: Frames of War, Dixit and colleagues’ photojournalism exhibition of the 10-year Maoist War in Nepal (opening at 6pm, December 4); Jim Marbrook’s documentary work on the environment and mining conflict in New Caledonia; John Miller’s photojournalism on the Ngatihine forestry issue; Shailendra Singh on investigating corruption in Fiji; and Patrick Matbob on investigative journalism in Papua New Guinea.
More information: www.aut.ac.nz/study-at-aut/study-areas/communications/news-and-events/media,-investigative-journalism-and-technology-conference-2010
Conference chair: PMC director David Robie david.robie@aut.ac.nz
Inquiries – conference organiser: Andrea Steward anj_steward@hotmail.com
Pacific Media Centre www.pmc.aut.ac.nz
POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA, MA AND PHD IN PEACE AND CONFLICT STUDIES
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR PEACE AND CONFLICT STUDIES, OTAGO UNIVERSITY
http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/ncpacs11.htm
LOCAL PEACE GRANTS AND LOXLEY AWARD
this message is to remind you about the next round of the Quaker Peace & Service Aotearoa New Zealand (QPSANZ) Local Peace Grants, and the Loxley Award for 2011 – the deadline for applications to both is 31 October 2010. This information is available online at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/qps1010.htm
GPJA 