Global Peace And Justice Auckland Newsletter #149, September 1, 2006

Website http://www.gpja.org.nz/ [1] Contact details: Forums – John Minto, (09) 846 3173, jbminto@xtra.co.nz; Newsletter Editor – Mike Treen 027 525 4744 / 09 845 4027 mike@unite.org.nz; Web page - simon@enzyme.org.nz [2] Donations can be sent to GPJA, 6a Western Springs Rd, Morningside, Auckland. To subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter visit http://www.gpja.org/ [3] or click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.

Kia ora everyone,

Just a reminder that the Rakon protest is this Friday. We are meeting at 12:30pm at the Unite! offices (6a Western Springs Road, Morningside) for car pooling to Ellerslie Racecourse or IF YOU NEED A LIFT THERE AND BACK from the city or the university email us or text us( 021 150 3597) and we will sort transport. If you can provide transport also send us an email or text and we will pair the two groups. or alternatively meet at 1pm outside the Ellerslie Racecourse, 80-100 Ascot Avenue, Greenlane We will be "dieing in" with our "ambulance" against this company which manufactures parts for the US military and by proxy the Israeli military.

Rakon is a New Zealand company, based in Auckland, that manufactures oscillators and crystals for global positioning systems (GPS) applications. These components form part of the GPS system that the United States Military uses in its ' smart bombs'. 10% of the work that Rakon does is for missiles and smart bombs for the US Military. Asked by the New Zealand Herald whether the companies oscillators were being used in the war on Iraq, the company said they "didn't really want to draw attention to where they [the US military] are using it". The New Zealand superannuation fund owns 3.4 million shares in Rakon (they just bought them this year).For more information check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakon [4]

Also demonstration: "NO WAR! NO OCCUPATION!" | "WE ARE ALL PALESTINIAN AND LEBANESE" Saturday, September 2, 1pm, Aotea Square MASS PROTEST TO STOP ISRAEL'S WAR ON PALESTINE AND LEBANON

QUOTE OF THE WEEK "The real truth of the matter is, as you and I know, that a financial element in the large centers has owned the government of the U.S. since the days of Andrew Jackson." : Franklin D. Roosevelt

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AOTEAROA JEWS FOR JUSTICE In Auckland on Sunday September 3rd (ie - this week!), there will be a meeting for anyone interested in starting up an Auckland group as part of the Aotearoa Jews For Justice network. AJFJ is a group of Jews that support the Palestinian struggle for self-determination. We currently have groups in Wellington and Christchurch. So far, in the month of our existence, we have participated in and helped organise marches and protests in solidarity with those suffering in Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territories. There will be AJFJ speakers at the September 2nd rallies in both Auckland and Wellington, and at a teach-in on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict in Christchurch on September 23rd. If you are interested in attending the meeting in Auckland on the 3rd, please email me (off-list) and I will let you know the time and venue (which I'm still finalising). If you are based elsewhere in the country and would like to join or find out more, you can email us on jewsforjustice@gmail.com [5] or view our soon-to-be-ready website (which should be up in the next few days) at www.aotearoajewsforjustice.org Below is the flier AJFJ handed out at a Palestine/Lebanon solidarity demonstration in Wellington on August 4. Cheers, Asher Goldman ashergoldman@gmail.com -------------------------- Aotearoa Jews For Justice Speaks Out Against Israel Aotearoa Jews For Justice stands in solidarity with the Lebanese and Palestinian people suffering at the hands of the Israeli army. We also stand with those Israelis who are challenging the illegal and war-mongering actions of the Israeli state in Palestine and now in Lebanon. We are part of a growing global movement of Jews who feel that it is our duty to oppose the atrocities being committed by the Israeli government in our name. Israel has never and will never represent us. We draw from a long tradition of Jews who have campaigned for social justice and against racism and colonialism regardless of where it has occurred. To find out more or to join us, contact jewsforjustice (at) gmail.com For more information: Israel Indymedia: http://israel.indymedia.orgInternational Middle East Media Centre - http://www.imemc.org Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions - http://www.icahd.org/eng/Gush Shalom - http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en Refuser Solidarity Network - http://www.refusersolidarity.net [6] / B'Tselem - http://www.btselem.org/English/index.asp Ibdaa - http://www.dheisheh-ibdaa.net/ [7]

WHAT’S ON IN AUCKLAND

Friday, September 1, 1pm, Ellerslie racecourse ACTION AGAINST RAKON! Global Peace and Justice Auckland and Students for Justice in Palestine are holding a joint demonstration at Rakon's first ever shareholder Annual General Meeting. Meet at 12:30pm at Unite! offices (6a Western Springs Road, Morningside) for car pooling to Ellerslie or alternatively meet at 1pm outside the Ellerslie Racecourse, 80-100 Ascot Avenue, Greenlane. We will be "dieing in" with our "ambulance" against this company which manufactures parts for the US military and by proxy the Israeli military. Saturday, September 2, 1pm, Aotea Square MASS PROTEST TO STOP ISRAEL’S WAR ON PALESTINE AND LEBANON

Sunday, September 3, 6pm, University Marae Fundraising dinner for Lebanon and Palestine. This is located behind HSB. Entry is free but please bring a donation. SJP will be having a stall here.

Monday, September 9, 6pm, Ceramco Park Function Centre, Glendale Road, Glen Eden FROM CONFLICT TO RECONSTRUCTION - A FUNDRAISING EVENING FOR THE MIDDLE EAST. You are warmly invited to join Oxfam and the Umma Trust for an evening of discussion and delicious Middle Eastern food. Gain a unique insight into the conflict of the Middle East and have the opportunity to have your questions answered. Panellists: Jon Stephenson – Renowned foreign correspondent, recently returned from The Middle East Phillip Khouri – Lawyer and past president of the Federation of Ethnic Councils of New Zealand Anjum Rahman – Founding member of the Islamic Women’s Council and Shama (Hamilton Ethnic Women’s Centre), key involvement in the Hamilton Peace Movement. David Moskovitz – Immediate past President of Wellington’s Temple Sinai, key involvement in peace and unity initiatives between Jewish and Muslim communities. Jill Conway – Manager of Auckland Refugee and Migrant Centre, experience in post war reconstruction initiatives MC: Barry Coates -- Executive Director, Oxfam New Zealand Tickets: $45 -- spaces are limited. RSVP by Tuesday 5 September to Trien Steverlynck, Oxfam New Zealand Email : trien@oxfam.org.nz [8] Phone: 09 3556855. Help with reconstruction in the Middle East

Thursday, October 5, 6pm, Stone Lecture Theatre, 3rd Floor, Law School Building, 9 Eden Crescent, Auckland Uni. Alternative entrance on Waterloo Quadrant just after Hyatt, next to Newman Hall. SPEAKER: Rt. Hon. Justice Ted Thomas QC. Topic: "Human rights in the age of terrorism: More particularly an indictment on the Prime Minister of Great Britain." Ted Thomas is one of the most distinguished members of New Zealand’s judiciary. He is currently a member of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. He is famous for his commentaries on a wide range of legal topics. He has made a particular study of the Human Rights issues arising from the so called Age of Terrorism and his lecture is expected to be both scholarly and challenging. MC for night: Justice Rodney Hansen. The event will be 'hosted' by Amnesty International, The International Law Association and Auckland University's Faculty of Law.

Thursday, October 5, 7.30pm, Ferndale House, 830 New North Road, Mt Albert, Auckland 2006 Allan Nixon Lecture – “The Children are Our Future: Deeper reflections on the debate about the repeal of s59 of the Crimes Act and the impact of violence on children and families.” Speaker : Sue Bradford, Green MP and introducer of the Repeal Bill will give this lecture on some of the issues that have arisen since the Bill was presented. Organised by MAP (Movement for Alternatives to Prison). Contacts Rachel Maule ph (09) 846 0925 or Joan Macdonald ph (09) 360 8001

Saturday, October 7, 9am-5pm, Auckland Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn WORKERS CHARTER ANNUAL CONFERENCE. At conference we will be looking back at the first year of the Charter paper, and discussing how we can continue to build not only the paper, but a new mass political alternative to the left of Labour. We are hoping for an excellent turnout of supporters from right around the country. This is not to be missed. More details later. Your input is welcomed. Solidarity, Daphne Lawless, Chair, Auckland Workers Charter, daphlawless@randomstatic.net (027) 220 9552

Monday, October 9, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn "THE SHOCKING TRUTH - NUCLEAR WAR WITH IRAN" New Zealand Nuclear Free Peacemaking Association, Founder/Secretary Larry Ross, on his nationwide lecture tour speaks about the threat of nuclear war on Iran. How will the Bush neocons justify a war, even nuclear war, against Iran? Iran has no nuclear weapons, say the IAEA UN inspections, but has a legal right to enrich uranium for power under the NPT treaty. It is surrounded by US bases, the US navy and Israel, who have thousands of nuclear weapons ready to launch. They could annihilate Iran. Yet Americans have been media-conditioned to fear and hate Iran, and believe all Bush’s false accusations to justify any U.S. military actions. In the face of the outrageous killing of Lebanese civilians, Palestinian injustice and pending war in the Middle East, what is the role of Nuclear Free Peacemaking New Zealand? Check website at: http://www.nuclearfreenz.org.nz [9]

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND Unions Responds to Misleading Progressive Adverts http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0608/S00339.htmMediation scheduled this morning http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0608/S00342.htmStop the Taser trials before somebody dies http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00513.htmHone Harawira: Speech On Employment Bill http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00541.htmMass rally brings victory http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0608/S00273.htm [10]

PILGER/CHOMSKY The return of people power - John Pilger reaches behind the news of war and suffering and is inspired by the rise of popular resistance throughout the world: from Lebanon to Latin America, to an unprecedented level of political awareness in Britain. http://www.johnpilger.com/page.asp?partid=407Noam Chomsky: You Ask The Questions - Do you believe Israel is doing the West's dirty work? And what do you think of Elvis's music? http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article14727.htm [11]

PALESTINE/LEBANON Cluster bombing of Lebanon 'immoral' UN official tells Israel http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1861606,00.htmlIsraeli Apartheid - Segregation, Control and the Creation of Bantustans in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). The creation of Palestinian enclaves or ghettos in the OPT bears a striking resemblance to the South African policies during the apartheid era which sought the establishment Bantustans as a means to facilitate segregation and to secure privileges for an ethnic minority. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article14750.htmZionist state the root cause of Mideast conflict http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2006/681/681p12.htm [12]

IRAQ "The End of Iraq: How American Incompetence Created a War Without End." Video: Peter Galbraith discusses his book . He describes his experiences in Iraq, his impressions of the current situation and the leaders in Iraq & the administration. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article14731.htmPoll: Iraqi's Want U.S. Occupation Forces Out Of Iraq: 91.7% of Iraqis oppose the presence of coalition troops in the country, up from 74.4% in 2004. http://abuaardvark.typepad.com/abuaardvark/2006/08/what_the_iraqi_.html [13]

AUSTRALIAN WORKERS PROSECUTED – NEED SUPPORT This week's message is brief and very much to the point -- and needs your attention today. The Howard government in Australia is one of the most anti-union in the world, breaking new ground in its efforts to smash the trade union movement in that country. Among its first victims are 107 construction workers, who are being prosecuted for alleged "illegal" industrial action following the sacking of a union delegate. According to Kevin Reynolds, Secretary of the West Australian Branch of the CFMEU union, "Under the Howard Government, the basic right to vote to take strike action in support of better conditions and a safe workplace has now been criminalised." The workers made their first appearance in court yesterday (Monday). They are asking workers around the world to mobilize and send messages of protest to government officials today: http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=137The families of the 107 are facing fines of A$28,600, meaning massive financial hardship and destitution because of these punitive laws. Please give generously: http://www.labourstart.org/docs/en/000360.htmlSpread the word - pass this message on! Thank you. Eric Lee, Labour Start

BOLIVIA Evo Morales "Our new history is truly beginning to change" - Speech given by Evo Morales to the opening of the Constituent Assembly, August 6, Sucre, Bolivia http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2006/08/evo-morales-our-new-history-is-truly.html [14]

USA Rosa Brooks: No Escaping Sexualization of Young Girls http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-oe-brooks25aug25,0,1670933.columnYou wouldn’t catch me dead in Iraq - Scores of American troops are deserting — even from the front line in Iraq. But where have they gone? And why isn’t the US Army after them? Peter Laufer tracked down four of the deserters http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2099-2318643,00.html [15]

VENEZUELA US accused of bid to oust Chávez with secret funds http://www.guardian.co.uk/venezuela/story/0,,1860867,00.htmlInside the Venezuelan Revolution http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/articles.php?artno=1807 Mayors of Venezuela’s Capital Engage in Rhetorical Fistfight http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=2058Oil, revolution and socialism http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2006/681/681p17.htm [16]

MEXICO Courage And Resistance In Oaxaca And Mexico City http://www.countercurrents.org/lendman300806.htm [17]

AFGHANISTAN Guantanamo's oldest detainee returned to Afghanistan: An Afghan man in his 70s who used a walker to get around the Guantanamo Bay lockup has been sent home. http://tinyurl.com/grz68 [18]

WORLD ECONOMY US housing slump fuels crash fears: Foundering American property market could spark global slowdown worse than dotcom collapse http://observer.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,,1859024,00.html [19]

IRAN Putting Words in Ahmadinejad's Mouth: Is Iran's President Really a Jew-hating, Holocaust-denying Islamo-fascist who has threatened to "wipe Israel off the map"? http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article14733.htm [20]

CUBA Stephen Lendman : Cuba Under Castro: Fidel Castro much earlier was a model for Hugo Chavez in how he established essential social services for the Cuban people like world-class free health care for all and free education through the university level. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article14726.htm [21]

WEST PAPUA West Papuan human rights advocate cites genocide http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00366.htm [22]

CHILE BHP Confronts Chilean Resistance - Thirteen billion dollar resources giant BHP Billiton is taking on a group of workers who defied fascist dictator, Augusto Pinochet. http://workers.labor.net.au/321/news6_chilean.html [23]

ENDS

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