#205: Sat Oct 27 Civil Rights National Day of Action
GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER #205, October 23, 2007
Website http://www.gpja.org.nz/ Contact details: Forums – John Minto, Work: (09) 845 2132, Home 09 846 3173 jbminto@xtra.co.nz; Newsletter Editor – Mike Treen 0295254744 / 09 845 4027 mike@unite.org.nz; Web page - media@ndu.org.nz Donations can be sent to GPJA, P O Box 7175, Welesley St, Auckland. To subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter visit http://www.gpja.org/ or click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.
Dear friends,
The GPJA newsletter will be focussing on the campaign against the use of the Terrorism Suppression Act and in defence of the arrested activists over the coming months. That means we will be featuring news links, and have a listing of protests, meetings, fundraising events from all over New Zealand. The Auckland “What’s On” and the Best of the Web links will be at the end of the newsletter.
Please send information about activities outside of Auckland that should be including in this newsletter to mike@unite.org.nz
Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think may be interested and tell them they can subscribe at http://gpja.org.nz/
EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY
http://www.civilrightsdefence.org.nz/event
Next meeting of the Auckland Civil Rights Defence Committee, 6pm, Tuesday, October 30, Unite House, Level 12, 300 Queen St
CIVIL RIGHTS DEFENCE - - NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION PLANNED FOR NEXT SATURDAY (27TH OCTOBER) -
Next Saturday (27th October) will see nationwide action taken in support of those arrested in para-military raids last week. The national day of action will include a Civil Rights Defence rally and march from 12noon at Auckland’s Aotea Square. The rally will be calling for -
• No terror charges
• Immediate bail for all arrestees (innocent until proven guilty)
• Withdraw the Terrorism Suppression Amendment Bill
A website has been set up to help co-ordinate support for those arrested. People can find out about support activities, make donations to the campaign and send messages of support to the detainees through the website.
www.civilrightsdefence.org.nz
John Minto,. Spokesperson, Ph (09) 8463173 (H), (09) 8452132 (W)
POSTERS FOR AUCKLAND MARCH CAN BE PICKED UP FROM
Simon, NDU Office, 20 Church St, Onehunga
Mike, Unite House, Level 12, 300 Queen St, Auckland City
Or download Auckland or national poster from
http://www.civilrightsdefence.org.nz/resources
MAKE A DONATION TO A DEFENCE FUND ONLINE
38-9000-0099726-00 GLOBAL PEACE & JUSTICE AKLD
Indentify donation as being for the defence fund. Initial patrons of the fund are Jane Kelsey, John Minto, Simon Oosterman and Mike Treen
Or Use your credit card through Paypal
http://www.civilrightsdefence.org.nz/donate
SEND A MESSAGE OF SUPPORT TO BE FORWARDED TO PEOPLE IN PRISON
http://www.civilrightsdefence.org.nz/node/add/support
Thursday, October 25, 6 – 7.30pm, Stone Lecture Theatre, 3rd floor, Law Faculty Building, 9 Eden Crescent, Auckland University
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM AND SECURITY LEGISLATION - THE CHALLENGES AND RESPONSES. Nicky Hager, researcher, author of The Hollow Men, will comment on the overall effect of enhanced surveillance on New Zealand society. Tim McBride, author, barrister and civil libertarian, will examine the enhanced powers given to state agencies in New Zealand and the implications for privacy. John Ip, AU Faculty of Law lecturer, will talk on enemy combatants and International Law.
Gregory Thwaite, international lawyer, will talk on the justifications given for increased security legislation. Chairperson: Barry Wilson, President of Auckland Council for Civil Liberties
Organised by: Auckland Council For Civil Liberties; University Of Auckland Faculty Of Law And
International Law Association (New Zealand Branch).
SPECIAL GPJA FORUM - MONDAY NOVEMBER 5, 7.30PM, METHODIST CHAPEL, QUEEN ST, OPPOSITE TOWN HALL - DEFENDING CIVIL RIGHTS - NO USE OF TERROR LAWS.
MEDIA REPORTS
GPJA: We agree with Ross Meurant
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0710/S00314.htm
TV3 - Ross Meurant had a reputation as a police hard man. The kind of cop who cracked down on radicals.
http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/NationalVideo/tabid/309/articleID/37...
Ross Muerant radio NZ interview
http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/national/mnr/further_on_the_story_in_ruat...
Raise your voice before you lose your soul - protests across Aotearoa
http://www.indymedia.org.nz/
Hundreds March For "Terror" Accused In Auckland
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0710/S00302.htm
Cookson & Davies: NZ Post Colonial? Yeah Right
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0710/S00305.htm
Auckland Rallies for Civil Rights
http://unityaotearoa.blogspot.com/2007/10/auckland-rallies-for-civil-rig...
Matt McCarten: Forget terrorists - it's the secret police the public needs to fear
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/author/story.cfm?a_id=284&objectid=10471106
Bill Ralston: Ready for the men in black
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10471101
CTU Runanga Calls for Police Action to Stop
http://union.org.nz/news/2007/ctu-runanga-calls-for-police-action-to-sto...
Liz Gordon: None safe from act's reach - The police and other intelligence agencies are going to come under immense pressure and scrutiny over this week's raids on homes and communities…
http://www.stuff.co.nz/thepress/0a15235.html
Guerrillas in our midst? No! By RAWIRI TAONUI - Sunday Star Times - The arrests last Monday of Maori and other activists was a sensationalised over-reaction by a dysfunctional police force, a power-seeking intelligence service and a government that has lost touch.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4245703a1861.html
“This Average Kiwi Bloke Has Had Enough…” by Aziz Choudry on the 'terror' raids
http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/hr191007.pdf
More commentary on the events of this week is available on the 'NZ "terrorism" in perspective' web page at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/nzterror.htm
NZH Editorial: Confidence in our law put to test
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cfm?c_id=1501470&objectid=104709...
Editorial: Whatever cards police hold had better be a winning hand
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=252&objectid=10471112
John Armstrong: Big gamble for police
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cfm?c_id=1501470&objectid=104709...
A brief history of Tuhoe
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4245702a11.html
Q & A: Who are the Tuhoe people?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=252&objectid=10470601
The accidental terrorist - Tame Iti's story
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4245704a11.html
Raids a case of 'deja vu'
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=252&objectid=10471039
Guerillas in the mist
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=252&objectid=10471026
John Roughan: Camp Urewera - blame the climate of the times
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=252&objectid=10470941
Paul Moon: Challenge is to bridge divide between two New Zealand
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=252&objectid=10470485
Fran O'Sullivan: Terror Act: more 1984 than 1969
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=252&objectid=10470940
Balaclava-clad footsoldiers 'terrifying'
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=252&objectid=10470118
Tears As Friends Locked Up & Sent To Auckland
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0710/S00292.htm
Seven Auckland "Terror" Accused Remain In Custody - Joseph Barratt - The Police will spend the next week compiling evidence against seven alleged "terrorist training camp" attendees who today appeared in court in Auckland.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0710/S00293.htm
Protest NZ's Bid For UN Human Rights Council - Montreal Maori Solidarity Committee
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0710/S00310.htm
MONTREAL, OCCUPIED KANIEN'KEHA:KA TERRITORY: Solidarity with Imprisoned Activists
http://indymedia.org.nz/newswire/display/73941/index.php
TERRORISM LAW
CTU Calls for Repeal of Terrorism Act
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0710/S00382.htm
CTU Submission on the Terrorism Supression Bill 2001
http://union.org.nz/policy/ctu-submission-on-the-terrorism-supression-bi...
CTU submission on the Counter-Terrorism Bill
http://union.org.nz/policy/ctu-submission-on-the-counter-terrorism-bill
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WALK THE WALK
To bring awareness to Solid energies plans to turn Happy Valley, an area near Westport and home of some of our rarest and treasured wildlife, into an open cast coal mine a walk is being organised from Auckland to Happy Valley from the 28th of January 2008. To get involved in this walk or to find out more about the project please visit www.walkingthewalk.org.nz
Before we start walking however we need to work out the route the group will be taking down the country, and to do this we are trying to get a thorough idea of what and who is out there between Auckland and Westport with resources that will be helpful to us, and who will, in return, find useful the resources we have to offer. Therefore would you have information on how we could get in contact with the following? Groups that are involved with coal, climate or green issues in general that are based somewhere between Auckland and Westport. Places in between Auckland and Westport that could help accommodate any of us for a night or three in exchange for labour or goods. Places in between Auckland and Westport which could employ any of us for a day or two or just a couple of hours.
Also being planned out is how we should connect with local people when we roll into each town along the journey in order to best provoke discussion about issues of coal mining, climate change and the like. Namely will people be most receptive to info about coal mining in nz, or, more broadly, to info on climate change around the world? Will they want to hear local or national strategies on how to deal with these issues, or should we just focus our energies on just listening to what strategies they may have? Should we hold street side stalls, or community workshops or meetings in town halls? What are your thoughts on this? Contact: Heather Simpson - walk.d.walk@gmail.com And check out – www.walkingthewalk.org.nz Or www.savehappyvalley.org.nz
NEW JOURNAL OF THEORY, COMMENT & CULTURE - at the Latin America & Asia Pacific International Solidarity Forum CLASS (Commmittee for Latin American Solidarity and Studies) organised a very successful meeting of Australian and overseas participants interested in establishing a new journal of theory, comment & culture. The meeting decided to launch a new journal aimed at bringing to our Asia-Pacific region some of the theoretical debate and revival of theory now taking place in Latin American movements and left organisations. The journal will be published in English.The journal will be organised around an editorial collective. If you are interested in participating in this project or receving more information, please contact kirsty@unite.org.nz
RADIOVENCEREMOS.ORG
RadioVenceremos (RV) is a new online radio project involving the Centre for Latin America Solidarity & Studies (CLASS) and the Adelaide branch of the Australian Venezuela Solidarity Network. RV will aim to provide weekly updates on Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia and all the struggles and community organising increasingly taking place in Latin America. RV is an English language online radio that aims to produce regular radio shows, special reports and radio documentaries, as well as video, including English subtitled versions of Alo Presidente, the regular TV program of Hugo Chavez.
To contact RV email production@radiovenceremos.org For more information please contact info@latinamericasolidarity.org or visit www.latinamericasolidarity.org
WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST JANUARY 25-27, 2008
The public face of New Zealand’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealand’s most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai spybase. Waihopai is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there (let alone any control).
The Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base is located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. First announced in 1987, it is operated by New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes (shielded from public view by giant domes) intercept a huge volume of telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls. The codename for this – Echelon – has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior, part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, and certainly not to citizens.
Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us America’s wars. Waihopai must be closed.
We invite people from around the country to join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (note: 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. Absolutely 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. Continue on the steep Port Underwood Road which climbs over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a Department of Conservation public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per person.
To register send $40 ($20 unwaged) to the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch. Make all cheques to ABC. E-mail cafca@chch.planet.org.nz www.converge.org.nz/abc
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE THE ROGER AWARD
Nominations are now open for this most prestigious and keenly contested annual Award (won by Progressive Enterprises in 2006; the previous winners are: Westpac/BNZ, Telecom, Juken Nissho, Carter Holt Harvey, TransAlta Monsanto and TranzRail – 3 times). Nominations close on October 31.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0706/S00327.htm
VISIT CUBA THIS SUMMER
Cuba consistently makes the news: whether it is it’s health care system (see Salud or Sicko), its response to its oil crisis, its environmental programmes, or by remaining a political opponent of US imperialism for forty years. It is also the home of salsa and its music is world renowned.
Registrations are open for the 25th Southern Cross Brigade to Cuba. Members of the Brigade, which is made up of Australians and New Zealanders, spend approximately four weeks in Cuba, leaving 27th December and returning 24th January. The all up cost is $5500, including airfare, spending money and all accommodation and meals. Members of the Brigade often stay longer in Cuba as private travelers or move onto other countries in the region. For further enquiries and registration e- mail Ina at inashina@clear.net.nz or Paul at wkcultur@ihug.co.nz (03 732 4010).
WHAT’S ON IN AUCKLAND
Wednesday, October 24, 7pm, Conference Centre, 22 Symonds St, Auckland University
UNANZ NORTHERN REGION BRANCH - NZIIA (Auckland) - Public Talk on
Securing our Survival –The Case for a Nuclear Weapons Convention. Refreshments will be available at 6:30pm. Keynote Speakers: Hon. Dr. Nick Smith MP – Chair of the New Zealand Section of the
Parliamentary Network for Nuclear Disarmament; Matt Robson – former Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control Aotearoa; Lawyers for Peace; Megan Hutching – Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom, WILPF National President. EVERYONE WELCOME. For more information contact Claire Gregory 638 8662 Or Laurie Ross on 811 8696 laurie-ross@xtra.co.nz
Wednesday, October 31, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
HIDDEN VOICES - A Filipino Muslim Woman On The US “War On Terror” And Its Impact On Her People. Amirah Ali Lidasan is the National Vice-Chairperson of the Suara Bangsamoro Party List Organisation, which aims to get representation in Congress for the Philippines’ several million Muslims (known as Moros and heavily concentrated in the southernmost islands). Amirah is a young progressive Muslim woman, with a history of senior leadership in the student movement in Manila, and is a leader in groups such as the Moro Christian People’s Alliance. She has an international profile. In March 2007 she was part of a Philippine human rights delegation which toured North America and Europe, drawing international attention to the human rights crisis at home.
Contact: Helen Te Hira, ph (09) 3039018; 021 0554969; e-mail: helent@nzctu.org.nz
Saturday, October 27, 9.30am-3pm, Otago University Centre, 385 Queen Street, Auckland City
You are warmly invited to attend our PEACE SYMPOSIUM – Organised by Aotearoa New Zealand Peace and Conflict Studies Centre Trust. Opening by Sir Paul Reeves.
Session One. Living Peace Covenants: How can the indigenous peace movements of the Moriori
and Parihaka contribute to conflict resolution in the world today? Presentations by Maui Solomon
of Hokotehi Moriori Trust “The Moriori Peace Covenant” and Ruakere Hond from Parihaka
“Parihaka: in search of peace”.
Session Two. Challenges Posed by Military Aggression: Presentations and panel with Arthur Palmer,
George Armstrong, Maire Leadbeater and Edwina Hughes.
Session Three. Potential for Peace Teaching: Presentations and panel with Shareen Shah.
Yvonne Duncan and the students of Mt Roskill Grammar School will present on “The Contribution
of New Zealand Youth to the Greatest Challenge of the 21st Century – Conflict Resolution“.
Session Four. Growing a Field of Peace – Interfaith Peacebuilding: How can the different faiths
work together in practical peace building? Presentation and panel with Ali Jiang, Tipene Daniels
and Greg Hughson.
The purpose of this Symposium is to develop the relationship between existing peace groups and
the new National Peace and Conflict Studies Centre and to explore how the Centre’s research may
assist with peaceful resolution of conflicts in the world today. Registration. As space is limited please register early. Email Registration by October 24 to anzpcsc@ihug.co.nz Phone Enquiries to 09 815 0228 Admission by Koha. A simple lunch will be provided. Peace Past – Peace Future
Friday, November 9, 6.30pm (5.30pm bar), Maidment Theatre, Auckland University
2007 BRUCE JESSON LECTURE: Laila Harre, National Secretary National Distribution Union: “Union relevance in Aotearoa in the 21st Century”. For 20 years unions have been engaged in a struggle for relevance - relevance to both workers and the wider social and economic environment in which we organise. This lecture will look at possible futures for the union movement and the potential and need for workers to organise industrially and politically. More than ever we are dependent on what happens at work and what we get from doing it. The question is not whether we need unions, but what sort of unions we need. A collection for donations to the Bruce Jesson Trust will be taken. Sponsored by the Faculty of Arts and The Bruce Jesson Foundation
BEST ON THE WEB
REVIEW
Book Review - Israel/Palestine Question - Ilan Pappe
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0710/S00337.htm
NEW ZEALAND
Matt McCarten: The economy should work for people, not the other way round
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/author/story.cfm?a_id=284&objectid=10469716
REVIEW
Randall Robinson. An Unbroken Agony: Haiti, From Revolution to the Kidnapping of a President
Basic Civitas. 280 pages.Reviewed by Roger Annis
http://www.socialistvoice.ca/Review/UnbrokenAgony.htm
Thousands Join Stand Up Campaign - Stand Up And Speak Out Against PovertyThousands of New Zealanders -joined more than 38.8 million people in 110 countries to break the Guinness World Record set last year at 23.5 million for the largest number of people to Stand Up Against Poverty in 24 hours.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0710/S00305.htm
People living in sheds only the tip of iceberg
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0710/S00400.htm
CTU calls for $15 an hour minimum
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4241945a6479.html
Greens warn that innocent people will be barred from NZ - The use of a United States database for New Zealand's Advance Passenger Processing system raises serious concerns, the Green Party says.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0710/S00343.htm
IRAQ
It’s the Oil Jim Holt - Iraq is ‘unwinnable’, a ‘quagmire’, a ‘fiasco’: so goes the received opinion. But there is good reason to think that, from the Bush-Cheney perspective, it is none of these things. Indeed, the US may be ‘stuck’ precisely where Bush et al want it to be, which is why there is no ‘exit strategy’.
http://www.lrb.co.uk/v29/n20/holt01_.html
It's the resistance, stupid
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/IJ17Ak03.html
IRAN
Iran's Jews spurn cash lure to emigrate to Israel
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2125419,00.html
USA
Why They're Afraid Of Michael Moore By John Pilger
http://www.zmag.org/sustainers/content/2007-10/17pilger.cfm
Lifers as teenagers, now seeking second chance
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/17/america/17teenage.php
Crack Users Do More Time Than People Convicted of Manslaughter
http://www.alternet.org/story/65406/
PERU
The convert - Legendary campesino Hugo Blanco merges old-style Marxism with earth-first land reform philosophy
http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2007-10-18/news_story5.php
VENEZUELA
Venezuelan Legislature Approves 30 Articles for Constitutional Reform
http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news/2750
Delegates Elected for Founding Congress of United Socialist Party of Venezuela
http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news/2753
Our 21st Century Zimmerwald
http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/2734