GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 419, April 17, 2012
AOTEAROA IS NOT FOR SALE HIKOI
Hikoi against privatisation of public assets, mining and land sales to foreign owners, and the TPPA leaves Te Rerenga Wairua on 23 April and arrives in Wellington on 5 May. Protest Rally Auckland Saturday, 28 April 2012 – 3PM Britomart, Auckland. Q&A regarding upcoming Aotearoa is not for sale Hikoi 2012 rangiwhero
Saturday, April 28, 3pm, Britomart, Downtown, Auckland
Aotearoa Is Not For Sale demonstration: Let’s get out in our thousands to march up Queen Street next month and show we’re serious that AOTEAROA IS NOT FOR SALE. For: retaining and developing public assets and services – keeping our schools, prisons, universities, hospitals and ports publicly owned; affordable electricity, education and housing; workers’ right to a good job and a liveable wage. Against: privatisation of public services, sale of public assets to private investors (local AND overseas), casualisation of labour, privatisation and pillage of our country’s resources. Most New Zealanders don’t want our public assets sold to private investors; whether they are American, Chinese, German or Kiwi, it is not in our interests to put our future into the hands of a few billionaires whose primary incentive is to make a profit for themselves. Our public assets, our schools, our jobs and our homes are all under attack. New Zealand is for sale. Come to the demonstration on Saturday April 28th to defend Aotearoa and force the government to put a stop to this madness. Invite everyone you know. 3pm Saturday April 28th, From Britomart, downtown Auckland. http://www.facebook.com/events/334873306563769/
WHAT’S ON
Monday, April 23, 1.30-4.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
Unions Aotearoa International Development Trust AUCKLAND WORKSHOP. JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON OF INTEREST AND LEARNING! • Led by UnionAID Executive Trustee Ross Wilson; • Learn about UnionAID and our projects; • Help establish an Auckland solidarity group. UnionAID is the only international development agency with a focus on workers’ rights and which spends 100% of personal donations on project funding. Check out our website: www.unionaid.org.nz
Monday, April 23, 6pm, Old Government House, University of Auckland, corner of Princes Street and Waterloo Quadrant.
AUCKLAND: New Zealand Workers – Then & Now Lectures by Helen Kelly and Cybèle Locke. Please come to these free lectures and the launch of Workers in the Margins: Union Radicals in Post-War New Zealand by Cybèle Locke. New Zealand is entering a new phase of industrial unrest. These lectures will connect today’s challenges with Cybèle Locke’s account of ‘marginal workers’ in the late twentieth century. As Erik Olssen says, Workers in the Margins “recaptures the mood and texture of a radical movement” and is “a substantial contribution to New Zealand scholarship that will be of great interest to all those concerned with social justice”.
Saturday, April 28, 10am-4pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont Street, Ponsonby, AucklandQPEC Annual meeting and forum: After last
year’s great AGM and forum, there was little evidence that educational issues were to the fore in the general election. Thus the abrupt resumption of neo liberal education policies, with the announcement that charter schools would be opened in Auckland and Christchurch as part of National’s coalition agreement with ACT, came out of the blue. The forum and AGM are free, but a $10 donation toward the cost of lunch would be most welcome.
Saturday, April 28, 3pm, Britomart, Downtown, Auckland
Aotearoa Is Not For Sale demonstration: Let’s get out in our thousands to march up Queen Street next month and show we’re serious that AOTEAROA IS NOT FOR SALE. For: retaining and developing public assets and services – keeping our schools, prisons, universities, hospitals and ports publicly owned; affordable electricity, education and housing; workers’ right to a good job and a liveable wage. Against: privatisation of public services, sale of public assets to private investors (local AND overseas), casualisation of labour, privatisation and pillage of our country’s resources. Most New Zealanders don’t want our public assets sold to private investors; whether they are American, Chinese, German or Kiwi, it is not in our interests to put our future into the hands of a few billionaires whose primary incentive is to make a profit for themselves. Our public assets, our schools, our jobs and our homes are all under attack. New Zealand is for sale. Come to the demonstration on Saturday April 28th to defend Aotearoa and force the government to put a stop to this madness. Invite everyone you know. 3pm Saturday April 28th, From Britomart, downtown Auckland. http://www.facebook.com/events/334873306563769/
Saturday, April 28, 8.30am-5pm, St Aidan’s Church, cnr Remuera Road and Ascot Ave, Remuera, Auckland
Church, State & WAR – ECUMENICAL Study Day Paul Oestreicher • Richard Jackson • Stephen Tollestrup • Thomas Noakes-Duncan. This Study Day has been arranged by the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship NZ Branch in conjunction with the New Zealand Christian Network. Fee $20, to be paid on the day. Lunch, morning and afternoon tea provided.
Tuesday, May 1, 1pm, Aotera Square, Auckland
Welfare Rights are Under Attack! Stand Up Fight Back! Stop National’s Attacks upon Mothers and Babies, Older Women and Youth! No to the Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Bill! May Day Pram Parade Celebrating the Work of Mothers Tuesday 1st May, 2012 , International Workers Day 1pm : Assemble Aotea Square, 1.30pm Pram and Push Chair Parade Hand out teddies to children at WINZ, 450 Upper Queen St. Social Welfare not Corporate Welfare! Don’t separate mothers from children! No Privatisation of Welfare! Living Benefits Now! http://waitemataunite.blogspot.com 8369104 0212800080
Tuesday, May 1, 7pm, Rm 3402, Engineering Building, Auckland University, 20 Symonds St, Auckland
Auckland Philippines Solidarity is pleased to invite you to join the film screening on "Ka Bel" a May Day Productions documentary on the life of Philippines and International Working Class Leader CRISPIN "Ka Bel" Beltran. Ticket costs $10. Proceeds will go to the Crispin Beltran Resource Center and APS solidarity campaigns. To order tickets, please email ph.solidarity or contact Helen Te Hira at 098348690 or Dennis Maga at 0226073918. Drinks from 6.30pm.
June 8 & 9, Aotea Square, Auckland
8/9TH JUNE AUCKLAND PEACE CITY PUBLIC LAUNCH & NUCLEAR FREE NZ EVENT AOTEA SQUARE. Calling all people who support the ideals of peace, justice and a nuclear free world. ADVANCE NOTIFICATION –put into your diaries NOW, circulate among group networks to include in your calendar of major events, newsletters etc. Auckland Peace City Public Launch ~ Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone and Disarmament Legislation of 1987.
8th June Friday 2:00-3:00pm – Mayor Len Brown’s official Auckland Peace City Declaration launch at Auckland Council Reception Lounge-Town Hall Queen St.
9th June Saturday 12:00 noon – Auckland Peace City Public Celebration. Assemble Britomart (bottom Queen St.) for Peace Parade up Queen St. with Peace Banners and Brass bands playing to celebrate the achievement of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone 25th anniversary and the Auckland Peace City Declaration. Aotea Square 1:00 –3:00pm– Community Cultural PEACE celebration event –speakers, music, dance, poetry. (Peace Exhibitions inside Concert Chamber). There will be materials available for children to make ‘Auckland Peace City’ flaglets. Features: The Parade will be led with the carved Maori wooden torch from the 2009 World Peace Run that will be returned to New Zealand by Peace and Disarmament NZ international leader Alyn Ware. This will be followed by runners with flags of the 192 nation states in the United Nations. Everyone else is encouraged to walk at their own pace together up Queen St. with their peace banners and flags, both historical or new banners celebrating Nuclear Free New Zealand for a Nuclear Free World. Wet weather Event plan: Concert Chamber Town Hall – Inside 1:00-3:00pm The Peace City Public Launch Event Team welcomes volunteers and offers of help. If you want to be involved in any way please contact: laurie-ross Coordinator Laurie Ross on 818 0696
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WEST COAST MAYDAY WEEK
When we celebrate the contribution of working people to a just society.
Sunday, April 29, 12noon, Runanga Club Workers Memorial Picnic: children focused poetry, demonstrations fun day, market stalls, sausage sizzle, treasure hunt. Katie Thompson + Fleur Jack live 4pm-7pm Inquiries 762 7854 | runangaclub
Wednesday, May 2, 12-2pm, Runanga School Hall Workers and Champions: linking with elders. Paparoa Range + Runanga students interview elders, workers and champions over lunch.
Friday, May 4, 7.30pm, $15/$10, Runanga School – goodnight irene: Kiwi/Possum productions present live theatre with songs triggered by the Pike River disaster. Premiered at The Regent Theatre, Greymouth has since played Hokitika and the Dunedin Fringe Festival where Heather Fletcher was nominated for best performer award. This unique community project reveals the power of performance to engage both heart and mind. Sharon Mathews, Theatreview. Like a system of shafts and tunnels, the themes in goodnight, Irene connect and reconnect: grief and love, place and belonging, memory and song. Greg O’Connell, Theatreview.Bookings 732 4010, wkcultur
Saturday, May 5, 11am-3pm, Runanga School – Dreaming Our Future: Symposium sector leaders + citizens are invited to gather + ponder the future of the West Coast. Current dream/ a future dream: problems, solutions, concerns, data. A free flowing process which we hope will at least begin this necessary adventure. All welcome. Lunch/refreshments provided. Koha appreciated. Bookings: 732 4010 | 762 7352 wkculktur | pfknz
Saturday, May 5, 7.30pm, $15/$10, Runanga School Hall Worlds’ Workers Dinner: honouring the Milton Locked Out Workers 20th anniversary, the launch of Runanga Miners Hall Restoration Project. Speech Paul Watson (FirstUnion) Then/now ECA+current disputes, similarities+differences. Struggling through the 90s Kiwi/PossumProductions first staged in 1995, based on interviews with Milton Locked Out Workers. Workers songs from the WestCoast Wobblies.
THE STATE OF THE WELFARE
Press Release: Triangle Television: The State of the Welfare. The "Welfare State" will surely never be right because there are too many competing views as to what would make it right. To look at the enormity of the problem, this week’s guest In Conversation with Noel Cheer on Triangle Television is Associate Professor Susan St John, co-director of the Retirement Policy and Research Centre at the University of Auckland. She also says: “New Zealand’s poorest children should not be carrying the burden of tax cuts for the wealthy and bailouts for finance companies.” Triangle Television, Wednesday April 18th at 7:00pm and repeated Thursday April 19th at 12:30pm. Triangle Television can be received in metropolitan Auckland on UHF Channels 41, 42 and 52. Triangle Television is also transmitted live on streaming TV – a newly emerging technology – which can be received on broadband-connected computers throughout New Zealand and on Internet-connected television sets. Go to www.ecasttv.co.nz
WHO WILL WIN THE 2011 ROGER AWARD FOR THE WORST TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OPERATING IN AOTEAROA/NZ?
All will be revealed on FRIDAY APRIL 20, 7.30 p.m. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HALL 28 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch. The eight finalists are: Adidas, Newmont Waihi Gold, Oceania, New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Ltd/Rio Tinto Alcan NZ Ltd, Sajo Oyang Corporation, Sky City, Telecom and Westpac. There is one finalist for the Accomplice Award – the Government (in its own right and accompanying both Sajo Oyang and Telecom). Click here for the downloadable flyer for the event cafca Murray Horton, Secretary/Organiser. CAFCA, Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa, Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand cafca www.cafca.org.nz
WE NEED FURNITURE!
On April 20th 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, those homes are unfurnished. Before moving day, we will need to collect the following things in order to make these new houses new homes: Beds: We will need 30 single beds & 8 double or queen beds; 12 coffee tables; 15 chests of drawers; 10 dining table & chairs; 10 couches; 5 car seats; 15 throw rugs (for uncarpeted floors); 15 heaters; Gardening equipment (limited, though, so please call to discuss). Everything should be in really good condition – clean, without holes, without significant marks, etc. Our drivers are not authorised to accept furniture that is broken or unstable or that has missing parts. If you are able to donate any of the furniture or household goods listed above, we would love to hear from you! We may consider other items, as well. Please contact Chandra at Refugee Services if you can help. Our drivers can pick up furniture on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Alternatively you are welcome to deliver to us at a mutually convenient time. Chandra is happy to arrange a pickup from your premises or a drop-off at our warehouse. Please contact her on: T: (09) 621 0014 M: (021) 228 2371 or chandra.yogeswaran
"IT’S TIME TO RETURN TO PALESTINE" – MESSAGE FROM KIA ORA GAZA
This weekend of escalating violence in Gaza, the worst since Israel’s deadly ‘Cast Lead’ attacks 3 years ago, has resulted in 16 Gazan deaths and at least 30 injured. Many of those killed by Israeli fighter jets or drones, had their heads blasted off. Some groups of Gazan militants retaliated with a barrage of largely ineffective mortars over the border fences. Israel claims their victims were ‘planning to attack Israel’. Three were killed near the Palestinian Legislative Council buildings, which suffered severe damage during the Cast Lead bombardments. The Kia Ora Gaza team saw that destruction during the Viva Palestina convoy visit in 2010. "Many world leaders who talk about ‘defending democracy’, failed to condemn Israel’s attacks on the parliament buildings of the democratically elected government in Gaza" observed Kia Ora Gaza team leader, Roger Fowler. Responding to the latest attacks, Kevin Ovenden, who will lead the next Viva Palestina 6 aid convoy from London next month, declared "It’s time to return to Palestine – physically and in our actions". People wishing to support the Kiwi team on this siege-busting convoy, can visit office
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"The truth that makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear." – Herbert Sebastien Agar
"The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking… the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker." – Albert Einstein
"When you invite people to think, you are inviting revolution" – Ivana Gabara
"War is when the government tells you who the bad guy is. Revolution is when you decide that for yourself." – Author unknown
"So free we seem, so fettered fast we are." — Robert Browning – (1812-1889) English poet, playwright
STATS OF THE WEEK
A Washington Post-ABC News poll has just asked Americans to pick the bigger worry, “unfairness in the economic system that favors the wealthy” or “over-regulation of the free market that interferes with growth and prosperity.” They chose the “unfairness,” by a 52-37 percent margin.
BEST ON THE WEB
NEW ZEALAND
Matt McCarten: Honourable unionist fights by the rules http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10798858
Teenager brings child poverty crusade to Parliament http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6741571/Teenager-brings-child-poverty-crusade-to-Parliament
‘Little old Chinese lady’ says racist abuse is getting worse http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6744625/Little-old-Chinese-lady-says-racist-abuse-is-getting-worse
When doors keep closing for refugees http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6744606/When-doors-keep-closing-for-refugees
US / NZ combat training announcement, and Defence Amendment Bill – this message has three parts: 1) the government announcement that US military personnel will be coming here for a combat training exercise later this month; 2) some comments and links to further information about this; and 3) a reminder that the deadline for submissions on the Defence Amendment Bill is tomorrow, Friday, 13 April. This information is available online at http://www.facebook.com/notes/peace-movement-aotearoa/us-nz-combat-training-announcement-and-defence-amendment-bill/349569225090453
Vulnerabilty Report Issue 12: Welfare reform, policies relating to vulnerable children, the Inquiry into the Wellbeing of Maori Children, and now an Inquiry into Preventing Child Abuse and Improving Children’s Health Outcomes provide part of the political context for this report. Sales of state assets are looming. Industrial disputes illustrate people with the power have the clout, e.g. MFAT diplomatic staff protests have Minister McCully reportedly worrying about losing talented staff (Dominion Post 1/03/2011), however similar ministerial concern for Ports of Auckland workers engaged in a protracted struggle is absent. The 12th Vulnerability Report uses both government data and community information to illustrate how the materially poorest in our community have been faring in the year to December 2011. Some data from January and February 2012 has been included when available. The Report is available at http://www.nzccss.org.nz/uploads/publications/NZCCSS%20VR%2012_3.pdf
Struggle over housing demand http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/13398311/struggle-over-housing-demand/
Scoop Gaza Independent Breaking News Website Launched Today http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1204/S00053/scoop-gaza-independent-breaking-news-website-launched-today.htm
Where does John Banks stand on SkyCity dirty deal? by Denise Roche http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=23470
Prize-winning journalist says a long way to go for NZ newsroom diversity http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/nz-winning-journalist-says-long-way-go-newsroom-diversity-7892
BSA decision another victory for NORML http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00089/bsa-decision-another-victory-for-norml.
PMA: Global Day of Action on Military Spending, 17 April 2012 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00084/global-day-of-action-on-military-spending-17-april-2012.htm
Be part of Oxfam’s Biggest Coffee Break 2012 http://www.oxfam.org.nz/what-we-do/issues/fair-trade/coffee-break
With US Military Bases and Spies, People Die! Close Waihopai Spybase! Ban the Bases! Statement of Solidarity 16 April 2012 International Day of Action against US Military Bases http://aps-nz.org/2012/04/14/nz-philippines-solidarity-groups-support-int-day-of-action-against-us-bases/
Domestic Violence is Going Up, Not Down http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1204/S00157/domestic-violence-is-going-up-not-down.htm
Veto reveals Government’s real priorities http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00146/veto-reveals-governments-real-priorities.htm
Veto card like a toddler’s tantrum http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/columnists/sean-plunket/6740436/Veto-card-like-a-toddlers-tantrum
Working mothers caught in childcare trap http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6744907/Working-mothers-caught-in-childcare-trap
Women’s workforce particpation http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2012/04/womens_workforce_particpation.html
The cost of parenthood http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10798719
Family budgets at breaking point http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/6744422/Family-budgets-at-breaking-point
Gordon campbell: On short term contracting in the public service, and paid parental leave http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/04/12/gordon-campbell-on-public-service-contracting-and-the-veto/
Americans want less prisons, What do Kiwi’s want? http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO201204/S00156.htm
Global military expenditure figures for 2011 released as Global Day of Action on Military Spending gets underway http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=353582221355820
A withdrawal and an advance – Gaza convoyers reject Syria route in favour of Cairo start http://kiaoragaza.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/a-withdrawal-and-an-advance/
Politicians take money from fishing companies http://www.michaelfield.org/Fishy%20MPs.htm
No Christchurch rental crisis -‘Pontius’ Brownlee http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6741946/No-Christchurch-rental-crisis-Pontius-Brownlee
Rental crisis ‘at breaking point’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6727162/Rental-crisis-at-breaking-point
Editorial: Housing headache http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/editorials/6746938/Editorial-Housing-headache
Benefits of charter schools not clear – study http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/6741677/Benefits-of-charter-schools-not-clear-study
Devonport residents ‘bunch of greedy mongrels’ – Willie Jackson http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/devonport-residents-bunch-greedy-mongrels-says-jackson-subbed-ready-go-rv-p-116589
Putting gambling in the spotlight http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/opinion/6724814/Putting-gambling-in-the-spotlight
AFFCO LOCKOUT
Locked out Affco meat workers step up campaign http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/locked-affco-meat-workers-step-up-campaign-4833863
Send a message to Talley’s/Affco http://cms.iuf.org/?q=node/1586
AFFCO Fact Sheet http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18076151/AFFCO%20fact%20sheet%20final.doc
Good Friday picket line services – Press Release: Meat Workers Union http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00091/good-friday-picket-line-services.htm
CTU Contacts Talley’s Customers Over Lockout http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00115/ctu-contacts-talleys-customers-over-lockout.htm
No progress in Talley’s mediation, rally in Moerewa tomorrow http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO201204/S00154.htm
Locked Out Family Hope To Talk To Company At Mediation Today http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00142/locked-out-family-hope-to-talk-to-company-at-mediation-today.htm
Talley’s wasting public money on ‘publicity stunt’ complaint http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00139/talleys-wasting-public-money-on-publicity-stunt-complaint.htm
Affco uses ‘big brother’ tactics – meat workers http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/affco-uses-big-brother-tactics-meat-workers-4831898
Affco keeps an eye on picket http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/6734820/Affco-keeps-an-eye-on-picket
PORTS OF AUCKLAND DISPUTE
Maritime Union and Ports of Auckland to request facilitation http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1204/S00423/maritime-union-and-ports-of-auckland-to-request-facilitation.htm
Port proposals to reduce worker protections when contracting out unhelpful http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00147/reduce-worker-protections-when-contracting-out-unhelpful.htm
Brian Rudman: Brown risks credibility in port struggle http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10798473
Mayor’s anger over leak on striker http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10798466
Union boss a working-class man http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/latest-edition/6707867/Union-boss-a-working-class-man
Members Bill To Extend Paid Parental Leave Welcomed http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00085/members-bill-to-extend-paid-parental-leave-welcomed.htm
Ports management and board must account for disruption to Auckland http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1204/S00435/ports-management-and-board-must-account-for-disruption.htm
Editorial: Port’s misuse of private files lamentable http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10799068
Mediation talks fail in port dispute http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6729532/Union-says-Port-intimidating-wharfies
The PoAL dispute and facilitation http://thestandard.org.nz/poal-dispute-and-facilitation/
WORKRIGHTS NZ
An Easter break for retail workers – how about next year? http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00090/an-easter-break-for-retail-workers-how-about-next-year.htm
Unions put strike plans on hold http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/204710/unions-put-strike-plans-hold
Pizza boy paid $4.50 an hour http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10797343
Members Bill To Extend Paid Parental Leave Welcomed http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00085/members-bill-to-extend-paid-parental-leave-welcomed.htm
NZ ECONOMY
Bil Rosenbergl’s Latest Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement Powerpoint http://web.me.com/jane_kelsey/Jane/TPPA_files/TPPA-Fabian%20Society-29Mar12.pdf
Loophole allows sale of over 49pc http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6734622/Loophole-allows-sale-of-over-49pc
Housing crisis: State must step in, says economist http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/rebuilding-christchurch/6734665/Housing-crisis-State-must-step-in-says-economist
TPPWatch Action Bulletin # 8 – 15 April 2012 http://tppwatch.org/2012/04/16/tppwatch-action-bulletin-8-15-april-2012/
NZ Asset Sales Policy Began On Wall Street By Lewis Verduyn http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1201/S00050/nz-asset-sales-policy-began-on-wall-street.htm
Stand Up questions government’s priorities for youth unemployment http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1204/S00189/stand-up-questions-govts-priorities-for-youth-unemployment.htm
FEATURES
Two views on Evo Morales and class struggles in Bolivia: An important exchange between two leading analysts of class struggles in Bolivia, Jeff Webber and Federico Fuentes, has appeared in the British journal International Socialism. Webber views the government of Bolivian President Evo Morales as an instrument of neoliberal reaction; Fuentes says this government “has presided over a process of change that has brought many advances.” http://johnriddell.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/two-views-on-evo-morales-and-class-struggles-in-bolivia/
Eric Hobsbawm: The myth of “responsible capitalism” http://climateandcapitalism.com/2012/04/08/eric-hobsbawm-the-myth-of-responsible-capitalism/
How the US uses sexual humiliation as a political tool to control the masses By Naomi Wolf http://www.opednews.com/articles/How-the-US-uses-sexual-hum-by-Naomi-Wolf-120406-579.html
Malcolm X – By Any Means Necessary – Organization for Afro American Unity
A universe without purpose – New revelations in science have shown what a strange and remarkable universe we live in. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-krauss-cosmology-design-universe-20120401,0,7316663,print.story
CEOs and the Candle Problem – In America we have a motivation problem : money. I’m not a communist. I love capitalism (I even love money), but here’s a simple fact we’ve known since 1962: using money as a motivator makes us less capable at problem-solving. It actually makes us dumber. http://blogs.nature.com/a_mad_hemorrhage/2012/04/02/ceos-and-the-candle-problem
Overshadowing the Cartagena Summit: the militarization of Central America http://canadiandimension.com/articles/4604/
Barbara Foley: From Occupy to Revolution
LAND, LABOUR & THE ENVIRONMENT
The four laws of ecology and the four anti-ecological laws of capitalism by John Bellamy Foster http://climateandcapitalism.com/2012/04/02/four-laws/
Arctic climate change causing droughts, floods, and heat waves outside the north http://tinyurl.com/7k5fvcw
Middle America Is Experiencing a Massive Increase in 3.0+ Earthquakes http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/04/middle-america-is-experiencing-a-massive-increase-in-30-earthquakes/255568/
U.S. And Maldives Endure The Long, Hot March Of Climate Change By Amy Goodman http://www.countercurrents.org/goodman140412.htm
It’s The Time Of The Rights Of Mother Earth By Pablo Solón http://www.countercurrents.org/solon070412.htm
WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
The Greek Debt Crisis As Harbinger of Things to Come http://tinyurl.com/7edlhku
The United States as #2 – By some measures, the Chinese economy has already overtaken the United States’ economy, writes Dean Baker. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/04/20124375253451461.html
‘The Crisis and the Left’ by Leo Panitch, Greg Albo and Vivek Chibber (eds) Leo Panitch, Greg Albo and Vivek Chibber (eds) Reviewed by Bill Jefferies
http://marxandphilosophy.org.uk/reviewofbooks/reviews/2012/516
Anwar Shaikh – Video Lectures: Is Imperialism a useful concept in the age of financial globalization? http://homepage.newschool.edu/~AShaikh/lectures.html
US cancels stakeholder programme at TPPA talks http://www.itwire.com/it-policy-news/government-tech-policy/54046-us-cancels-stakeholder-programme-at-tppa-talks
Toward a Maximum Wage – Maxing Out http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/04/10/maxing-out/
What Jesus said about capitalism http://www.smh.com.au/business/what-jesus-said-about-capitalism-20120408-1wjmm.html
CULTURAL DISSENT
New play in NZ addresses wars http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/culture/performance/6728429/New-play-addresses-wars
Günter Grass: ‘What Must Be Said’ – Poem published in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, has created a heated debate in both Germany and Israel http://m.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/apr/05/gunter-grass-what-must-be-said?cat=books&type=article
Why No Sympathy for the Palestinians? The Disgusting Attacks on Gunter Grass By Tariq Ali – That the Israeli government pushed the Bush administration to make war on Iraq is hardly a secret. Nor is the statement of the Israeli Ambassador to the US the day after the fall of Baghdad: "Don’t stop. Move on to Damascus and Teheran.’ http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31044.htm
Video: ‘Llaguno Bridge: Keys to a Massacre’ on the 2002 US-backed coup against Hugo Chavez http://links.org.au/node/2820
Book Review: An Unfinished Revolution: Karl Marx and Abraham Lincoln http://tinyurl.com/7ojwujn
Book Review: Why It’s Kicking off Everywhere: The New Global Revolutions http://www.counterfire.org/index.php/articles/book-reviews/15612-why-its-kicking-off-everywhere-the-new-global-revolutions
Book Review: A Most Reliable Ally – Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Unions http://monthlyreview.org/2012/03/01/a-most-reliable-ally
Book Review: Complexities of constructing the socialist alternative By Steve Ellner – Michael Lebowitz has drawn on the diverse experiences that led to the failure of socialism in the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia and elsewhere, and those in Venezuela where he has resided for nearly a decade, to bolster his thesis on the need to place the transformation of values at the centre of socialist construction. http://links.org.au/node/2821
50 Sci-Fi & Fantasy Works Every Socialist Should Read (by China Mieville) http://theweeklyansible.tumblr.com/post/20777236577/50-sci-fi-fantasy-works-every-socialist-should-read
AFGHANISTAN
Give Afghans self-determination: Joya http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2012/s3473632.htm
The Unraveling Occupation by Nicole Colson – The U.S. war and occupation of Afghanistan was supposed to bring stability and democracy. Instead, Afghanistan remains a country on the brink of disaster – one that has clearly been exacerbated by the U.S. presence. More than 10 years after the U.S. war began, in spite of the presence of about 2,000 international aid groups, at least $3.5-billion in humanitarian funds and $58-billion in development assistance, humanitarian conditions in Afghanistan remain abysmal. http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/617.php
ARGENTINA
Revealed: The vulture capitalists willing to destroy a nation for a good return http://www.leftfootforward.org/2012/03/revealed-the-vulture-capitalists-willing-to-destroy-a-nation-for-a-good-return/
AUSTRALIA
Dirty Money: The true cost of Australia’s mineral boom http://climateandcapitalism.com/2012/04/01/dirty-money-the-true-cost-of-australias-mineral-boom/
BAHRAIN
To See if the New Burma Can Be Trusted, Ask the Kachin as They Face Ethnic War http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/commentary/to-see-if-the-new-burma-can-be-trusted-ask-the-kachin-as-they-face-ethnic-war/509946
BURMA
To See if the New Burma Can Be Trusted, Ask the Kachin as They Face Ethnic War http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/commentary/to-see-if-the-new-burma-can-be-trusted-ask-the-kachin-as-they-face-ethnic-war/509946
CANADA
Attacks on teachers, airline workers and public pensions in Canada highlight need for a fighting labor movement By Roger Annis http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18076151/Article%20labor%20April%202012%20final.doc Part 2 http://rabble.ca/news/2012/04/death-thousand-cuts-resistance-not-futile
Bella Bella: Peaceful protest unnerves regulators; Youth launch hunger strike against tar sands pipeline http://tinyurl.com/77o3x5c
Lakotas launch hunger strike against tar sands pipelines http://climateandcapitalism.com/2012/04/04/lakotas-launch-hunger-strike-against-tar-sands-pipelines/
Cracks start to show in Quebec’s student solidarity http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/cracks-start-to-show-in-quebecs-student-solidarity/article2402474/
Quebec student strike drags on as longest in Quebec history http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/quebec/student-strike-drags-on-as-longest-in-quebec-history/article2395469/
Quebec wrestling with province’s longest student strike http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Quebec+offers+student+overhaul+stem+protests/6417100/story.html
Economic Crisis and Austerity: The Stranglehold on Canada’s Families by Adrie Naylor http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/614.php#continue
Renewing Working Class Politics, Rebuilding Canadian Labour: Mark P. Thomas and Steve Tufts, York University: "Uneven Worker Power and the Populism-Austerity-Labour Nexus"; Herman Rosenfeld teaches Labour Studies at McMaster University: "CAT Closure: What have we lost? What can we learn?"; Sam Gindin is the Packer Chair in Social Justice at York University: "Beyond Austerity: The Crisis Within Labour"
These presentations were made at the "Global Economic Crisis and Canadian Austerity" conference, Ryerson University, Toronto, 23 March 2012. http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/ls133.php
COLOMBIA
FARC Free Remaining Military Hostages http://www.justiceforcolombia.org/news/article/1208/farc-free-remaining-military-hostages
Liliany Obando Under Threat! http://www.justiceforcolombia.org/news/article/1203/liliany-obando-under-threat
Liliany Obando Interview
CUBA
Guayaberas Without Cubans – Stephen Harper’s Illusions by FIDEL CASTRO http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/04/09/stephen-harpers-illusions/
Cuba Prepares For Rising Sea Levels And Extreme Weather By Patricia Grogg http://www.countercurrents.org/grogg150412.htm
FRANCE
Melenchon shakes up presidential poll http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/50712
Jean-Luc Mélenchon has what France needs. Sarkozy and Hollande do not – Sarkozy has only made France more unequal, but there is a progressive presidential candidate who hasn’t fallen for austerity http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/10/jean-luc-melenchon-france-elections
ICELAND
Iceland Forgives Mortgage Debt of its Population http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31092.htm
INDIA
The dirty picture of neoliberalism: India’s New Economic Policy http://links.org.au/node/2818
INDONESIA
Protests explode over fuel price rise http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/50605
IRAN
Washington’s Iran Policy Could Lead To Global Disaster By Juan Cole http://www.countercurrents.org/cole120412.htm
The Irrationality of the Case against Iran’s Nuclear Program – "The Stupidest Idea I Ever Heard" http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31065.htm
If Iran Had Nuclear Weapons Most Arab People Would Feel Safer By Noam Chomsky http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31041.htm
IRELAND
Former hunger striker: ‘The IRA should have embraced socialism’ http://links.org.au/node/2822
KOREA
Why North Koreans Aren’t Allowed to Launch Rockets http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31096.htm
MALI
Mali’s Tuareg rebellion: What next? The return of an estimated 2,500 well-armed Tuareg fighters from Libya to Mali has led to a new rebellion. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/03/20123208133276463.html
Tuareg Rebels in Mali Declare Independence: Part of an African Awakening for Self-Determination? http://www.democracynow.org/2012/4/9/tuareg_rebels_in_mali_declare_independence
PACIFIC
Thousands in Jayapura demonstrate in support of “New Guinea Council: First Steps” conference in Netherlands http://westpapuamedia.info/2012/04/11/
PALESTINE
"Parallel Realties: Israeli Settlements and Palestinian Communities in the Jordan Valley." http://www.maan-ctr.org/pdfs/FSReport/Settlement/content.pdf
What Marwan Barghouti Really Means to Palestinians By Ramzy Baroud http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30994.htm
PANAMA
Village of the damned: One indigenous tribe is engaged in a life and death struggle against the big business interests flooding their land. http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower/2012/03/20123208464402131.html
SERBIA
"Deindustrialization and Workers’ Struggle in Serbia" http://www.spectrezine.org/deindustrialization-and-workers-struggle-serbia
SRI LANKA
Solidarity with journalists in Sri Lanka, defend democratic rights! http://links.org.au/node/2815
Beware the Wounded tigers – If Mahinda Rajapaksa doesn’t heal the wounds of the Sri Lankan Tamils, another Prabhakaran will rise by
Benjamin Dix Writer and Academic http://www.tehelka.com/story_main52.asp?filename=Op070412BEWARE.asp
SYRIA
The Burial Brigade of Homs – An Executioner for Syria’s Rebels Tells His Story http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,824603,00.html
Syria and the International Left http://translationexercises.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/guest-post-syria-and-the-international-left-2/
TIMOR
East Timor: A Lesson In Why The Poorest Threaten The Powerful By John Pilger – One independent little country astride lucrative natural resources and strategic sea lanes is of serious concern to the United States and its "deputy sheriff" in Canberra.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31007.htm
UK
The challenge of George Galloway’s ‘Bradford Spring’ http://links.org.au/node/2816
Feminists hail explosion in new grassroots groups http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/09/feminists-hail-explosion-grassroots-groups?CMP=twt_gu
The "War On Terror" is Corrupting all it Touches – Every student agitator is a terrorist, every internet hacker, cafeteria dissident, freedom fighter and insurgent leader By Simon Jenkins http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31067.htm
USA
An economic recovery that leaves workers further behind http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/an-economic-recovery-that-leaves-workers-further-behind/2012/04/10/gIQA75h78S_story.html
US 2012: Why the Buffett Rule Sets the Bar Too Low http://www.social-europe.eu/2012/04/us-2012-why-the-buffett-rule-sets-the-bar-too-low/
Punishment and Profits: Immigration Detention http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/faultlines/2012/04/201241081117980874.html
First They Come For The Muslims By Chris Hedges http://www.countercurrents.org/hedges160412.htm
Why Campaigning For Democrats Cripples Labor Unions By Shamus Cooke http://www.countercurrents.org/cooke100412.htm
The Rise of the Killer Drones: How America Goes to War in Secret http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31092.htm
The Guantanamo war crimes tribunal is worse than a Bush-era horror show: it reminds me of Chinese ‘justice’ http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31062.htm
VENEZUELA
Venezuela: 10 years after the failed US-backed coup, the revolution conntinues http://links.org.au/node/2819
OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS
NICKY HAGER’S OTHER PEOPLE’S WARS HITS THE STAGE WELLINGTON APRIL 17-28
Other People’s Wars The stage play. Bats Theatre, Wellington, April 17-28. How do we get into Afghanistan? Why are we there? What happened the night Willie Apiata won his VC? Are NZ intelligence officers there on humanitarian purpose? And did we really keep out of Iraq? And can you believe ANYTHING Foreign Affairs and the Defence Forces say? In fact— are Foreign Affairs and the Defence Forces riddled with traitors working for a foreign power? Aided by Wikileaks and local Deep Throats, and some extraordinarily indiscreet material posted on Facebook, Nicky Hager’s Other People’s Wars drew alarming conclusions about the general nature of New Zealand defence policy—how it’s decided, and by whom. And now it’s on stage. As it should be. Besides the documenting of shifty departmental manoeuvres and cover-ups, there’s love, death, courage, pathos, raillery, bombast and—of course—farce; all the Shakespearean elements. The play ends with an Anzac Day ceremony and its premiere season in Wellington (April 17-28) is nicely timed to coincide with Anzac Day, April 25, the day we remember those who have given their lives for their government’s foreign policy. “Anyone familiar with Other People’s Wars will know more about New Zealand military and what it did in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Gulf than any politician in parliament.” – Nicky Hager.
VII "MAY DAY" INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE FROM APRIL 22ND, TO MAY 6TH, 2012
Dear friend: Receive a cordial and warm greeting on behalf of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples that affectionately summons you to participate in the sixth edition of the International Brigade of Volunteer Work and Solidarity with Cuba on the occasion of the International May Day. As in previous editions, it will be integrated by friends from all continents. Brigade’s aim is to provide a wider understanding of Cuban reality as well as carrying out some voluntary work sessions, as a support to agricultural development and productive sphere in our country. Program includes visits to historical, economical, cultural and social places, not only in Havana but also in other provinces, lectures about national issues as well as meetings with representatives of Cuban organizations. Staying includes 10 nights in the International Camp Julio Antonio Mella (CIJAM) located in the municipality of Caimito, 45 km from Havana City and 4 nights in tourist facilities in Pinar del Rio province. It will cost 295.00 CUC which includes accommodation in shared rooms for up to 6 people in CIJAM, three meals daily, transfer in-out and transportation to all program activities. Agricultural work sessions will be carried out in areas near CIJAM. The camp, founded in 1972, has appropriate conditions for community life and for satisfying needs of friends who visit us from around the world. Registrations are open for those interested until March 30th, 2012. Confirmations of participation as well as information about date, flight number and airline to which you are scheduled to arrive and departure from Cuba, should be sent to asia.norte and director.dao Looking forward your enthusiastic participation with our people in this proletarian celebration of the May Day. See you then! Asia and Pacific Division, Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples.
KMU INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY FAIR, PHILIPPINES, APRIL 24-MAY 5, 2012
We are inviting you and your organization to participate in the 28thInternational Solidarity Affair (ISA) hosted by the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) from April 24 to May 5, 2012 in Manila, Philippines. http://www.labournetaustria.at/aktion223.htm
CALL FOR THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM FREE PALESTINE, NOV. 2012 IN BRAZIL
Occupied Palestine is part of every free heartbeat in this world and her cause continues to inspire solidarity across the globe. The World Social Forum Free Palestine is an expression of the human instinct to unite for justice and freedom and an echo of the World Social Forum’s opposition to neo-liberal hegemony, colonialism, and racism through struggles for social, political and economic alternatives to promote justice, equality, and the sovereignty of peoples. The WSF Free Palestine will be a global encounter of broad-based popular and civil society mobilizations from around the world. It aims to: 1. Show the strength of solidarity with the calls of the Palestinian people and the diversity of initiatives and actions aimed at promoting justice and peace in the region. 2. Create effective actions to ensure Palestinian self-determination, the creation of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, and the fulfillment of human rights and international law, by: a) Ending Israeli occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall; b) Ensuring the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and c) Implementing, protecting, and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194. 3. Be a space for discussion, exchange of ideas, strategizing, and planning in order to improve the structure of solidarity. Exactly sixty-five years after Brazil presided over the UN General Assembly session that agreed upon the partition of Palestine, Brazil will host a different type of global forum: an historic opportunity for people from all over the world to stand up where governments have failed. The world’s people will come together to discuss new visions and effective actions to contribute to justice and peace in the region. We call on all organizations, movements, networks, and unions across the globe to join the WSF Free Palestine in November 2012 in Porto Alegre. We ask you to join the International Committee for the WSF Free Palestine, we will establish as soon as possible. Participation in this forum will structurally strengthen solidarity with Palestine, promote action to implement Palestinian’s legitimate rights, and hold Israel and its allies accountable to international law. Together we can raise global solidarity with Palestine to a new level. Palestinian Preparatory Committee for the WSF Free Palestine 2012. Secretariat members: • PNGO – Palestinian NGO Network; • Stop the Wall – Palestinian grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign; • OPGAI – Occupied Palestinian Golan Heights Advocacy Initiative; • Alternatives represented by: Alternative Information Center, Teacher Creativity Center; • Ittijah; • General Union of Palestinian women. Coordination office: PNGO – Palestinian NGO Network, Tel: +970 2 2975320/1, Fax: +970 2 2950704, E mail: samahd
PARIHAKA DOCUMENTARY – FUNDING NEEDED
A documentary has been made about Parihaka by film makers Paora Joseph, Gaylene Preston, Janine Martin, Tracey Egerton, and people of Parihaka called ‘Tatarakihi. Children of the Prophets’. There is a need for support to complete the project. For more info go to www.pozible.com and search under ‘Parihaka’ to find the trailer and story behind it. Please circulate among your networks.
GPJA 