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Spirit Of Quebec Comes To Auckland On Mayday

The Chamber of Commerce at the corner of Mayoral Drive and Greys Avenue is the target for anti capitalist demonstrators in Auckland this Mayday. Called by the Socialist Workers Organisation, the "Identify the Enemy" protest will take the militant spirit of Quebec and Seattle to the representatives of NZ Big Business, as part of a Global Day of Action against Capitalism.

In Australia, the stock exchanges of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane will be blockaded by the same forces who organised the s11 blockade of the World Economic Forum last September. Around the world, from London to Istanbul, Seattle to Johannesburg, hundreds of thousands of trade unionists, environmentalists, socialists and human rights activists will target the institutions and organisations that they believe are globalising poverty, pollution and war.

"We're giving a message to the Chamber of Commerce that there's a new mood in town, inspired by Quebec, Melbourne and Seattle" says SWO spokesperson, Joe Carolan, who paticipated in the WEF blockades on s11. " Workers want 14 weeks paid parental leave- NZ has one of the worst provisions for workers with newborn babies in the Western world. Women in Tanzania get 20 weeks paid parental leave, yet here, the Chamber of Commerce says employers can't afford it!"

"We also want the freedom to strike for social, political and environmental issues. NZ has still one of the most draconian anti-strike laws in the Employment Relations Act, that forbids strike action unless its in the pursuit of a collective contract, or over health and safety issues. Without our unfettered democratic right to withdraw our labour, workers are hamstrung when it comes to standing up to victimisation, unfair sackings, environmental pollution or in solidarity with fellow workers both here and overseas. We want to see the return of fighting unions that will roll back the damage done under the last 16 years of free market madness."

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"We're also showing our solidarity with the watersiders of the WWU, who have been struggling against multinational Carter Holt Harvey's attempts to casualise their jobs. Under the ERA, strike action in solidarity with the wharfies of the South Island is illegal, something we're determined to fight and change."

"Lastly, on this day of international solidarity, we'll be welcoming all "overstayers" who are currently under the threat of deportation. We believe that no human is illegal, and challenge the hypocrisy of the business elite and individuals like Mike Moore, who want to tear down borders and restrictions for the multinationals and the free flow of capital, yet who argue for more draconian powers to harass and deport immigrant workers. We want a full amnesty for all immigrant workers now living and working in Aotearoa. Overstayers are welcome here- the real parasites in this society are the greedy suits that lurk inside the Chamber of Commerce."

"This Mayday, we'll identify the real enemy! May the first be with you."

Identify the Enemy protest 4pm May 1st Corner of Mayoral Drive and Greys Avenue

called by the Socialist Workers Organisation http://www.crosswinds.net/~swonz/

Contact- Joe Carolan at 6295401 Grant Morgan at 6343377 office 6343984


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