#226: PROTEST SATURDAY 23rd – STOP THE TERROR RAIDS
GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER #226, February 22 2008
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
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Kia ora koutou,
PROTEST Saturday 23rd February – Stop the Terror Raids – Aotea Square 12noon.
The protest will be calling for an end to the raids and arrests. The police have had over 18 months to investigate and lay charges. These latest raids and arrests of Tuhoe activists this week – coming four months after the original raids on October 15th 2007 – smack of harassment arising from frustration.
We know there is huge reservoir of resentment within the police operation at the failure of the original arrests to result in terrorism charges against the political activists who were arrested.
The simple truth is that there was never any credible terrorist threat and the original raids were a dramatic over-reaction on the part of police. It is hard to see the latest arrests as anything more than a nasty, vindictive follow-up.
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CIVIL RIGHTS DEFENCE ORGANISING MEETING: Civil Rights Defence Committee, 6pm, Tuesday Feb 26, 6A Western Springs Rd, Morningside, Auckland. Discuss the upcoming trials. All welcome.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our
humanity." - Albert Einstein
WHAT’S ON IN NEW ZEALAND
Tuesday 26th February – Book Launch “The Rock” by Vince Seimer – An account of Vince’s 21 days in Mt Eden Prison on contempt of court charges.
“Truth is often stranger than fiction, taking a walk with Vince Seimer through 21 days in the infamous Mt Eden Prison will challenge our beliefs on what our bureaucrats tell us and how, in New Zealand, the small vulnerable press often goes along to get along. Gripping detail and insights into a world few can imagine. The book which lays it all bare”
The launch takes place 9.30am to 12noon outside the Auckland High Court.
Tuesday, February 26, 6pm, Unite Organising Centre, 6a Western Springs Rd,
Morningside, Auckland
CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANISING MEETING: Discuss the upcoming trials. All welcome.
Wed. March 5th 7:30 - Special charity premiere of John Pilgers new film “The War on Democracy” sponsored by the Peace Foundation.
Featuring the democracy movement in Latin America, and particularly in Venezuela, it presents an overview of the encouraging progress that has been made based on simple and determined people power in claiming back their basic rights. Although it
focuses on Latin America its message it universal in terms of the threats to democracy and what is being done about them by some inspiring people in South America. Tickets $25 from Academy cinema (09) 373 2761 include drinks and refreshments. More information from the Peace Foundation (09) 373 2379 Wednesday 5th March Academy Cinema, Lorne Street. 7.30pm refreshments, 8.30pm film screening.
Tickets $25. Phone 3732761. Further information Ph 3732379
Greetings,
Then from 6th March…More on the Pilger film from the Academy Cinema…
We are launching a fantastic and controversial documentary at the Academy Cinema on the 6th of March.
'The War on Democracy' highlights the political upheavals in Latin America, pointing the finger clearly at the US government. It then draws parallels with the current situation in the Middle East.
Filmmaker John Pilger interviews key political figures such as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The result is an enlightening and gripping story that helps us to better understand our world.
Gina Dellabarca Ph +64 21 427 553 Marketing & Operations Director, ACADEMY CINEMAS, gina@academycinemas.co.nz , www.academycinemas.co.nz
Friday, 14 to Sunday, 16 March - 'Promoting peace through active non-violent
resistance' is the theme of the 2008 National Peace Workshops - postponed
earlier this year, the National Peace Workshops have now been re-scheduled and
will be held at the Quaker Settlement, Whanganui, in March. The weekend will
include workshops and panel discussions with Maori, Moriori, Pacific and Pakeha
contributors who have experience of community and individual non-violent
resistance, and/or non-violent direct action in Aotearoa and overseas; as well
as workshops on campaigns of our member and other groups. More information and
registration details will be available in late January at
[http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/npw08.htm]
Saturday 15th March – GPJA Peace March on anniversary of invasion of Iraq. Gather Aotea Square 12noon.
Saturday, March 15, 8.30am-5pm, Auckland University
On 15th March, the Faculty of Law, University of Auckland will be hosting a
one-day Symposium entitled "Civil Society: Using Law as a Sword". The symposium
will be open to the public, but pre-registration (cost $30) is essential. The
organisers of the Symposium are Treasa Dunworth and Kris Gledhill of the Law
Faculty, Rt Honourable Ted Thomas, Janfrie Wakim and Deborah Manning. We are
also pleased to have the support of the Human Rights Commission with this
initiative. If you are interested in this event or wish to register (there is a
fee of $30.00) please email Treasa Dunworth at [t.dunworth@auckland.ac.nz] or
phone on (09) 3737599 ext 88008.
April 10th to 19th – The Hollow Men comes to Auckland
One Man
One Mission
Many Advisers
... The Hollow Men
Acclaimed Play The Hollow Men Brings Politics Up-close in Auckland in April.
Based on Nicky Hager’s controversial book, The Hollow Men is at Maidment
Theatre, Auckland from Thursday 10 April to Saturday 19 April for 10
performances only.
The Hollow Men examines the months of Don Brash’s leadership of the National
Party leading up to the 2005 election.
The play had its world premiere in Wellington in September last
year followed by a season in Palmerston and then a return season in
Wellington.
“Exciting, funny and totally absorbing” – Dominion Post
"Full of half-lies" -- National Business Review
"Who was it described John Key as the priest with his hand on your
knee...?" -- The Hollow Men.
In The Hollow Men, the cast plays a variety of political movers and shakers;
many of whom still walk the corridors of parliament today.
The Hollow Men plays at Maidment Theatre, Auckland for a strictly limited
season from 10-19 April. Book by phoning 09 308 2383 or online at
www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz.
~ Ongoing - Help us ban cluster bombs, online petition: "I support the global
call to ban cluster bombs", you can add your name at
[http://www.stopclusterbombs.org.nz/take-action/petition/]
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CUBAN DOCUMENTARY HITS TOWN BEFORE GOING GLOBAL
New Zealand-Cuba documentary ¿La Verdad? opens in Auckland Academy Theatre
this week 21 February, before heading offshore to the United States and then
Cuba. The film, by Wellington journalist Helen Smyth, tells the story of Cuban
oligarch Néstor Baguer. Smyth’s family met Baguer when travelling in Cuba in
2000. He befriended the family and nominated himself their Cuban Grandfather.
Baguer told Smyth he was the leader of the dissident journalist movement in
Cuba. In 2003 Smyth learned he was in fact a Cuban spy who set up the movement
to trap would-be dissident writers. Baguer gave key evidence at summary Cuban
trials that led to long imprisonments for more than 30 writers. She returned to
Cuba with husband and co-director Tim Rose to film Baguer’s story and reasons.
¿La Verdad? premiered at last year’s New Zealand International Film
Festival. It is now being released cinematically in New Zealand just prior to
the world debut at the presitgious international film festival, Cinequest. Smyth
also plans to then travel to Cuba to present the film there. “The story is
about Cuba and the United States, with New Zealand taking the part of distant
and curious observer,” Smyth said. “I’m nervous of both the United States
and Cuban reactions, but especially the latter.
It is a highly political story and I’ve tried to tell it with empathy and
honesty, as well as recognition of my outsider status.”
¿La Verdad? opens on Thursday, 21 February and is running for a week. For more
information, including a film trailer, see www.laverdadfilm.com
[http://www.laverdadfilm.com]
CLIMATE CHANGE - SOCIAL CHANGE CONFERENCE, APRIL 11-13, 2008, SYDNEY
The world is teetering on the brink of unstoppable climate change. Many now
recognise the need for serious change in the way we produce and use energy, our
transport systems, food production, urban design and forestry practices. Yet
politicians are still mouthing platitudes while allowing corporations to
continue to profit from polluting our atmosphere and destroying our ecosystem.
The need for social change has become an urgent part of preventing catastrophic
climate change. Can the market fix the problem? What is the real record of
carbon trading? How can we build a social movement capable of averting this
disaster? What models and experiences can offer real solutions? To strengthen
the exchange of ideas and contribute towards that urgent action Green Left
Weekly is organising the Climate Change - Social Change conference from April
11-13, 2008 in Sydney.
We are pleased to have confirmed:
- John Bellamy Foster, author of Marx's Ecology: Materialism and Nature, editor
of Monthly Review ([http://sociology.uoregon.edu/faculty/foster.php])
- Patrick Bond, Director of the Centre for Civil Society, University of Natal,
South Africa; editor of Climate Change, Carbon Trading and Civil Society
www.zcommunications.org/zspace/patrickbond
[http://www.zcommunications.org/zspace/patrickbond]
- Roberto Perez, Cuban permaculturalist (featured in The Power of Community:
how Cuba survived peak oil) ()
We invite your participation in making this more than just an exchange of ideas
- important as that is - but a part of building up resistance to corporate-led
climate change and strengthening the movement for sustainable development. To
receive updates about the conference, send an email to
[climatechange_socialchangeconf_announce-subscribe@yahoogroups.com] Please
forward this conference call to your networks. In solidarity, Kamala Emanuel and
Pip Hinman, Climate Change - Social Change conference organisers
ANNOUNCING THE MAY DAY 2008 BRIGADE TO VENEZUELA
Registration deadline: March 30th, 2008 (including payment). The
Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network’s (AVSN) next solidarity brigade to
Venezuela is schedule for May 2008 and will coincide with May Day (May 1st) in
Venezuela. The brigade will be a unique opportunity to see first-hand the
unfolding revolution in Venezuela. If you are interested in being part of this
inspiring and educational experience, please send the completed registration
form to [brigades@venezuelasolidarity.org]
BEST ON THE WEB
NEW ZEALAND
Satirical video of stouch between Trevor Mallard and Tau Henare.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLKaySj75tQ
The latest Greenpeace GE Free Food Guide reflects a strong ongoing non-GE
position from New Zealand food companies and an unprecedented anti-GE stance
from Australasia's largest food company.
[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0801/S00243.htm]
WORLD ECONOMY
The new Bank of the South assaults neoliberal economics
[http://www.forumdesalternatives.org/EN/readarticle.php?article_id=4616]
AFGHANISTAN
NATO winning battles, losing Afghanistan: "Make no mistake", begins a new issue
brief from non-partisan think-tank the Atlantic Council of the United States,
"NATO is not winning in Afghanistan".
[http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JB02Df02.html]
IRAQ
New analysis ‘confirms’ 1 million+ Iraq casualties
[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0802/S00012.htm]
LATIN AMERICA
ALBA, an Economic Alternative for Latin America
[http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/3116]
Indianismo and Marxism: The Missed Encounter of Two Revolutionary Principles by
Álvaro García Linera, vice president of Bolivia
[http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/garcia310108.html]
WEST SAHARA
Swedish Fund Öhman to divest from Wesfarmers Australia - The Australia Wester
Sahara Association (AWSA) applauds the decision of Öhman Funds from Sweden to
divest from the Australian phosphate company CSBP (Wesfarmers) due to its
imports of phosphate rock from the occupied Western Sahara.
[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0802/S00019.htm]
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