#213: Delegation to Parliament
GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER #213, November 7, 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.nz/ or click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.
Dear friends,
INVITATION TO JOIN DELEGATION TO PARLIAMENT THURSDAY 1PM - meet on steps outside at 12.45pm
Kia ora friends,
We are taking our last opportunity to urge the government not to proceed with anti-terror charges against those arrested on 15th October.
We have only a narrow timeframe in which to act. The Attorney General/Solicitor General will be making a decision in the next couple of days and so far they have been lobbied only by the police who are keen to lay anti-terror charges.
We are organising a delegation to meet with the Attorney General and Solicitor General on Thursday afternoon this week. The delegation will be meeting at the Maori Party offices at 1pm for lunch and will proceed from there. The delegation would appreciate the support of any groups or individuals able to offer support. Please contact Mike Treen on 029 525 4744 if your group would like to take part on the delegation.
THIS MATTER IS URGENT. THE DECISION MADE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS COULD CHANGE NEW ZEALAND FOREVER.
The letter below is the basis on which the delegation is being organised.
Rt Hon Michael Cullen
Attorney General
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
CC David Collins QC
Solicitor-General
Kia Ora Dr Cullen,
Re Terrorism Suppression Act 2002
We the undersigned organisations and individuals are urging you use the power delegated to you under the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002 to decline to lay charges under this legislation in relation to those arrested last month by police in the so-called “anti-terror” raids.
There is widespread concern and mistrust of the anti-terror legislation across the New Zealand communities. These laws are seen by many to have been passed not so much to meet our obligations to the United Nations Security Council but to sanction greater use of state powers of surveillance and control over those involved in political dissent.
We believe it would be a very damaging development for the New Zealand government to approve use of this legislation in the current environment. We risk changing the very character of the country in a situation where there are very sensitive political issues involved.
All the police allegations of illegal activity are already covered under existing New Zealand laws. This existing legislation can be applied without anti-terror provisions being invoked.
We urge you to act with sensitivity and understanding of the nature of our democracy.
Yours sincerely,
FEATURE ARTICLES
JOHN MINTO: New Zealand's anti-terror laws are those of George Bush - Prime Minister Helen Clark has decided the people arrested in the so-called "terrorist raids" are guilty. Never mind the evidence. Never mind a fair trial. Never mind being innocent until being proven guilty. Helen Clark says she knows.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/print/4261793a16155.html
NICKY HAGER: How To Decide Who Is A Terrorist? The Solicitor-General will shortly make a decision whether to approve terrorism charges against the Maori, peace and environmental activists arrested last month. Nicky Hager describes how the decision will be made and the factors the Solicitor-General needs to take into account.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0711/S00120.htm
PAUL BUCHANAN: A Comment On Terrorist Conspiracy
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0711/S00075.htm
ACTIVITIES
AUCKLAND
Picket Helen Clark’s Office Sat November 10, 10am-12noon
WELLINGTON
FOR FREEDOM: DEMYSTIFYING TERROR IN EVERYDAY LIFE IN NEW ZEALAND
A one-day seminar organised by the Postgraduate Student’s Association of Victoria University
Saturday, 10 November - 9.30am, Ground Floor Lecture Theatre 1, Rutherford House, corner Bunny Street and Featherston Street, Wellington
Confirmed speakers: Moana Jackson, Jane Kelsey, Nicky Hager and David Small
PGSA members will be offered first seating in the 300-seater venue. We will hold panel discussions in addition to 45 minute speaker sessions and hope to make the symposium as interactive as possible for attendees. Please email or if you wish to attend. This message is available online at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/hrsym1107.htm
ORGANISING MEETINGS
AUCKLAND: Civil Rights Defence Committee, 6pm, Tuesdays, Unite House, Level 12, 300 Queen St
WELLINGTON: Weekly support group meetings - open to all - 6pm Tuesdays at 128 Abel Smith St
WEBSITES TO LOOK AT
www.civilrightsdefence.org.nz
Full Scoop Coverage: Urewera 17
http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/urewera17.html
http://www.indymedia.org.nz/
http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/nzterror.htm
http://www.conscious.maori.nz/front.php
GET SUBSCRIBERS TO THIS NEWSLETTER
Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think may be interested and tell them they can subscribe at http://gpja.org.nz/
NATIONAL EVENTS CALENDER
http://www.civilrightsdefence.org.nz/event
POSTER AND OTHER RESOURCES
Or download national posters 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
QUOTE
OPINION POLL
These reports could have been headlined differently – “Most people refuse to give Police blank cheque” or “Most Maori think Police over reacted”. However we leave them as they are in NNH.
Support for police raids cheers up frontline staff
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cfm?c_id=1501470&objectid=104738...
Few believe terror raids were an overreaction
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cfm?c_id=1501470&objectid=104736...
Poll shows Maori-Pakeha perception gap on raids
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4259194a25364.html
OTHER NEWS REPORTS
Police 'terror' raid tactics illegal – QC
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4262415a25364.html
When Dissent becomes Terrorism
http://www.tangatawhenua.com/rangikainga/2007/issue16.htm
Maori Anglican Church angry at Tuhoe action
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0711/S00092.htm
Terror suspect published terrorism book
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4259383a25364.html
Terror suspect set to hang art - Marama Mayrick back home in Hamilton on bail after arrested as a terror suspect. Articulate and thoughtful, Marama Mayrick has packed a lot into her 24 years.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4260647a25364.html
Police express regret for their provocative action
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0711/S00053.htm
The Urewera 16 appear in court together
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cfm?c_id=1501470&objectid=104736...
Indymedia: Urewera 16 In Court - 2 More Bailed
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0711/S00071.htm
Hit protester will not lay charges
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10474018
Michael Lane: Tuhoe nation will not go away
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=252&objectid=10473953
Tears Shed As "Terror" Accused Returns To Cell
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0711/S00050.htm
"Terror" Prosecution Hits A Suppression Snag
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0711/S00047.htm
Open Letter To All Members Of Parliament!
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0711/S00086.htm
Video: Protesters make their feelings known outside the Auckland District Court - Nandor Tanzcos
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/multimedia/video.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10473420&...
INTERNATIONAL WAR ON FREEDOM
Top US legal adviser refuses to rule out 'torture' technique: Aide to Rice declines to denounce waterboarding during Guardian America debate
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2205187,00.html
DEALING WITH POLICE – KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/YourRights.pdf
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE TRADE UNION HISTORY PROJECT INVITES YOU TO THE: Inaugural Rona Bailey Memorial Lecture. Rona Bailey was an icon of left wing politics in New Zealand and a founding member of the Trade Union History Project (TUHP). To acknowledge Rona’s massive contribution to trade unionism and workers rights, her opposition to racism and war, her support for biculturalism and women’s rights, and so much more in Aotearoa / New Zealand and internationally, the TUHP determined after her death on 7 September 2005 (at 90 years of age) that it would commemorate her memory by holding a biennial lecture in her honour. Robert Reid, President of the National Distribution Union (NDU) and long time comrade and friend of Rona will deliver this first biennial lecture: “Looking Backwards: Looking Forward”. WHEN: Friday 30 November 2007; WHAT TIME: 6.00 PM (pre lecture drinks and nibbles from 5.30pm); WHERE: NZ Drama School (Toi Whakaari)
11 Huchison Road, Newtown (formerly the Wellington Show Building). This is an open lecture for TUHP members, trade unionists and the public. The lecture will be followed by a party (complete with a band and a generous amounts of food and drink) to celebrate the 20th birthday of the TUHP. The TUHP urges you to come and spread the word to encourage friends to come as well. Entry by gold coin donation
CLIMATE CHANGE
The CTU, Greenpeace, Forest and Bird, and Oxfam met recently to discuss a project they have started called "Be the Change”. It is a website which promotes actions individuals and groups can take to reduce emissions, conserve energy, and protect the environment. You may wish to check out this website and also the details in the pdfs attached. In particular note that they have a Biofuel Climate Rescue Bus starting a nationwide tour on 8th November from Invercargill and finishing on 15th December in Whangarei. See http://www.bethechange.org.nz/
NOV 25 - INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN - UNIFEM NZ introduced the White Ribbon campaign from Canada four years ago and it had such a good public response that the Families Commission picked it up on behalf of a number of statutory agencies. A wide range of community NGOs also hold special events to raise awareness of this hidden problem facing many women and children throughout New Zealand society. Wearing a white ribbon before / on Sunday 25 November (and then through 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence: Nov 25 – Dec 10) signals commitment “to always speak out against violence towards women and children” For more info and ideas on both White Ribbon and 16 Days of Activism campaigns, see: www.unifem.org.nz
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. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0701/S00036.htm
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
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
Thursday, November 8, 7.30pm, Maidment Theatre, Auckland University
2007 MEDIA PEACE AWARDS - Special Guest Bill Ralston interviewed by John Campbell. MC’s Michele A’Court and Jeremy Elwood. Tickets $30 waged $15 unwaged. Ph 09 3082383 www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz
Thursday, November 8, 4pm, Department of History, Room 59, 7 Wynyard Street
PALESTINE-ISRAEL: WHOSE PROMISED LAND? Presenter - Graeme Ball, Royal Society of New Zealand Teaching Fellow, Department of History, University of Auckland. Even writing the name of this troubled area as above is a political statement. It perhaps suggests a ‘two-state solution’ will end a conflict with its genesis well before the creation of the Israeli state in 1948. This would be optimistic, for the over-riding sense one gets from reading about the conflict, and then visiting the area (thanks to my 2007 New Zealand Sciences, Mathematics and Technology Teacher Fellowship), is that there is little real hope for a just and lasting peace any time soon. My presentation will look at the background of the conflict and, along with pictures, show the current impact on the Palestinian people.
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
Sunday, November 11 @ 11am, Waikaraka Park, Cemetary, Onehunga
MEMORIAL FOR UNIONIST VICTIM OF STATE TERROR - Fred Evans was batoned to death by police outside the Waihi Miners Hall during a Miners Strike in 1912. His grave is easy to spot as it has a broken column that his workmates erected to signify a life taken so early.
Sunday Nov. 18, 6 to 9pm, A Space Inside, 193a Symonds St. (upstairs), Newton.
Auckland book launch for Rabble Rousers and Merry Pranksters: A History of Anarchism in Aotearoa/New Zealand from the mid-1950s to the early 1980s by Toby Boraman. To read the introduction of the book, go to http://www.rabblerousers.co.nz and click on 'excerpt'. There was also a feature in the Press recently about the book.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/thepress/4251620a19743.html
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4251621a13135.html
Rabble Rousers and Merry Pranksters is jointly published by Katipo Books (web: http://www.katipo.net.nz, e-mail: info@katipo.net.nz) and Irrecuperable Press (e-mail:
irrecuperablepress@gmail.com). If you can't make the book launch, the book can be purchased online at www.katipo.net.nz and through Irrecuperable Press by post (download the order form from www.rabblerousers.co.nz). It is also available at some bookstores.
Wednesday, November 21, at 6pm at Unite House, Level 12, 300 Queen St, central Auckland
CUBA FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY – Meeting to help plan speaking tour for Leonard Weinglass, noted US civil rights lawyer and counsel for the Miami 5 – Cubans imprisoned in the US for trying to stop terrorism.
Friday, Nov 23 to Sat Nov 24, St Columba’s Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby
PAX CHRISTI ANNUAL ASSEMBLY: ‘Pax Christi’s Place in Peacemaking in the Pacific’
The Friday programme begins with a keynote address by Professor Joe Camilleri of the Centre for Dialogue, Latrobe University, Melbourne, titled ‘From the Middle East to Asia Pacific: Arc of Conflict or Dialogue of Cultures and Religions’. Saturday’s programme will look at different aspects of the relationship between New Zealand and Pacific Islands, some unresolved conflicts in the region and hopefully, some paths towards resolutions of those conflicts by peaceful means. Contributions to the discussion will include Pacific Island and New Zealand speakers with experience in justice and peace work in the region. There will also be plenty of time for discussion on a wide range of topics. We offer a warm invitation to anyone who would be interested in this gathering. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided but we would be grateful for a plate of finger food, or a contribution towards the costs of the venue and meals. The programme runs from Friday 23 November: 6pm (shared meal); 7pm prayer and welcome; 7.30pm to 9.30pm keynote address; to Saturday 24 November: 9.15am – 4.30pm. We hope you can join us for this important review of peace needs in the Asia-Pacific region.
Saturday, December 1, 3.30pm-6pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby
SEMINAR: Human Rights and ASEAN West Papua, The Philippines,Burma and Aotearoa
Keith Locke MP - ASEAN’s Role; Naing Ko Ko - Burma; Dennis Maga - The Philippines; Maire Leadbeater - West Papua; Cameron Walker - Spectre of terrorism in Aotearoa - drawing the parallels
Dec1 - West Papua Independence Day. You are also invited to join us for a symbolic flag raising outside NZ Army Headquarters in Great North Rd prior to the seminar: meet Corner Great North Rd and Ponsonby Rd by the Peace Mural at 2-30 pm 1 December. Indonesia Human Rights Committee
Box 68-419 Auckland. Inquires Maire Leadbeater 815 9000
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“The revolutionary struggle... is a doorway open to intelligence” Frida Kahlo
BEST ON THE WEB
NEW ZEALAND
Maritime Union vows national action
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0711/S00101.htm
Greenpeace New Zealand has slammed a report, commissioned by business lobbyists, which calls for the proposed emissions trading scheme to be weakened.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0711/S00081.htm
Commemoration of unionist this Sunday
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0711/S00072.htm
ASTE Workers Take Second Day of Strike Action
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0711/S00070.htm
ENVIRONMENT
'Clean coal' - a dirty lie
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2007/729/37797
CHINA
Private sector gets thumbs up from CPC
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2007/729/37780
TIMOR LESTE
Protests call for food sovereignty
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2007/729/37777
PALAU
Celebrating the life of Gabriela Ngirmang of Palau
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2007/729/37817
BOLIVIA
Bolivia: 'A project for the liberation of the poor’
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2007/730/37820
Morales Says Rich Nations Must Pay – US troops should leave
http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2007/11/morales-says-rich-nations-must...
Q&A: 'We Need Partners, Not Masters' Interview with Evo Morales, President of Bolivia
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39915
Bolivia: A Democratic Revolution Transforming Society
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=7258
USA
The juice and the noose - How the steroid hysteria warps our understanding of baseball, politics, and our very health
http://www.isreview.org/issues/50/steroids.shtml
KOREA
Kim Jong Il confronts Bush — and wins - North Korea: neutral instead of nuclear
http://mondediplo.com/2007/10/03korea
USA
Foreclosure wave sweeps America: A wave of foreclosures and evictions is about to sweep the United States in the wake of the sub-prime mortgage lending crisis
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7070935.stm
Twenty Years of Widening Inequality
http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/wolff011107.html
Citi chief quits as sub-prime losses rocket: The financial impact of the sub-prime crisis on Citigroup has spiralled to as much as $17bn (£8.5bn) in a matter of weeks, plunging the world's biggest bank into turmoil and prompting the resignation of chief executive Charles Prince.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/11/05/bcncit...
UK
City fears second bank is heading for credit crisis: The City was swept by rumours yesterday that another British bank was in trouble after Northern Rock indicated it was not the only bank borrowing from the Bank of England's rescue fund.
http://business.guardian.co.uk/banking/story/0,,2204473,00.html
PAKISTAN
Pakistan Sinks Deeper Into The Night By Tariq Ali
http://www.countercurrents.org/ali041107.htm
INDIA
Equal Rights And Opportunities By Nishikant Waghmare - Why the upper castes are not interested in giving up caste? Because caste (jati) helps him to exploit his fellowmen better — as it has a theological sanction under the Hindu religion. In the jungle of Hinduism this law has the blessings of its sacred scriptures. That is why in India wealth is getting accumulated in the bands of top 10% to 15% of the upper castes and the rest are getting pauperised. And yet there is no public debate on the merits of caste anywhere, not even among our university eggheads
http://www.countercurrents.org/waghmare051107.htm