GPJA Newsletter #227: Protest At Court Wednesday

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#227: PROTEST AT COURT WEDNESDAY – STOP THE TERROR RAIDS – NEVER AGAIN!
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GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER #227, February 29 2008

Website [http://www.gpja.org.nz/] To subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter visit [http://www.gpja.org.nz/] or click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.

Kia ora koutou,

Wednesday 5th March, Auckland District Court, Albert Street, 9am to 11am. All the defendants arrested in the so-called anti-terror raids on October 15th last year appear in court once again along with four further Tuhoe activists arrested last week. We won the battle late last year to prevent anti-terror laws being used against political activists and we need to ensure political activists don’t suffer the harassment dealt out to these people and Tuhoe generally as occurred last year.

Also…Fundraiser for those arrested in "Anti-Terrorist" Raids! Double CD & Booklet $25 TU KOTAHI - Freedom Fighting Anthems 25 excellent tracks of sheer Kiwi music/voice !!!!!!!!!

From CD sleeve note:-

"Tu Kotahi - Freedom Fighting Anthems" is a non-profit, consciousness raising project. All funds will go to organisations in Aotearoa who are working specifically with those affected by the Oct 15th 2007 state raids. The booklet, called Wahanui, was put together by Conscious Collaborations T Shirts "Ke Whawhai Tonu Matu" $25 (orders taken - state size required) To order or to help sell - Contact VANESSA - [spadarkle@hotmail.com] Ph 09 836 9002 [http://www.freedomfighterscd.org.nz/]

FORWARD

Kindly forward this newsletter to your friends and encourage them to join this mailing list @ [http://www.gpja.org.nz/]

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity." - Albert Einstein

WHAT’S ON IN NEW ZEALAND

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 [http://www.academycinemas.co.nz]

7th March 2008 6.30pm – 8pm at Tahaki Reserve in Mt Eden.

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. Event organised by the Auckland Coalition for the Safety of Women and Children. The coalition is a non government coalition established to help improve safety for women and children in Auckland. We are determined to help end domestic violence in our community. One of the ways we want to achieve this is by raising public awareness about domestic violence and its catastrophic impact on women and children. We want to raise awareness through remembrance.

Did you know that in NZ every year on average 14 women and 10 children are killed by a member of their family?

Did you know that in NZ 1 in 3 women report being a victim of physical and or sexual abuse by a current or ex partner throughout their lifetime? Domestic violence is a crime. Women and children have a right to live free of fear and violence. Show your support and come along to our community event on

All are welcome.

Please spread this invitation as wide as you can.

Together we can create change.

(Note: This is the 100th anniversary of International Working Women's Day which began with the strike of 20,000 garment workers in New York in 1908)

\Tuesday March 11th, CIVIL RIGHTS DEFENCE ORGANISING MEETING,, 6pm, 6A Western Springs Rd, Morningside, Auckland. All welcome.

Wednesday 12 March, Iraq after 5 years of war and occupation. Seminar by Continuing Education, Auckland University. 7-9pm, Room 039, Clock Tower Bldg No. 105, 22 Princes Street Fee (GST incl): $22.50 Student/Unwaged Fee (GST incl): $13.50

Speakers:

Heval Hylan , LLB (Baghdad), LLB (Waikato), PGDip Legal Studies

Steve Hoadley, PhD

After five years of war and occupation in Iraq what has been achieved and what does the future hold? This seminar will look at foreign involvement in Iraq which has created adversaries and divided friends and allies alike. It is an issue that is both regional and international, and from which no government can walk away because all are implicated in the consequences, even if they did not cause the conflict. An overview of the interests and actions of the major players, together with a discussion of the many factors involved in rebuilding a war-torn Iraq, will reveal that simple solutions are illusory. The seminar, in which the two speakers will present different perspectives, will encompass the need for political renovation of a legitimate and capable state, economic reforms, the creation of rules and institutions that enable a market economy, social reconstruction and issues of national security. The New Zealand government's policy on Iraq will also be discussed. There will be an opportunity at the end of the seminar for questions and discussion.

To register contact: Continuing Education, phone 09 373 7599 ext 87831/87832, or email [conted@auckland.ac.nz] Website: www.cce.auckland.ac.nz [http://www.cce.auckland.ac.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. Written by Auckland writer Dean Parker and 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 [http://www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz].

Monday 12th May: GPJA Monthly Forum, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. 7.30pm Maher Mughrabi, Palestinian writer and journalist now working in Melbourne at The Age and a member of the Palestinian Diaspora. This meeting comes just two days before the anniversary of al Nakba – the anniversary of the proclaiming of the state of Israel in Tel Aviv.

~ 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] [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 [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]

ENDS

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