Global Peace And Justice Auckland Newsletter

NEWSLETTER #278

March 29, 2009

Website: http://www.gpja.org.nz/

Dear friends,

During the first week of April there are a number of interesting forums with overseas guests. At the GPJA Forum on Monday, April 6 we have an eye-witness report of what happened in Haiti following the reoval of prersident Aristide. The March 20 broadcast of Democracy Now features a lengthy and informative interview with professor and U.S. civil rights leader Randall Robinson on the currentsituation in Haiti. Robinson was part of the mission that rescued Jean-Bertrand Aristide from his kidnapping and exile in the the Central African Republic by U.S. military forces in February/March 2004. He wrote an important book on the coup and his personal experiences surrounding it entitled, "An Unbroken Agony." You can listen to the Democracy Now interview at:
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/3/20/protest_planned_outside_ny_immigration_office

You can read of review of Randall Robinson's book at: The author of the review, Roger Annis, will speak in Auckland on the situation in Haiti on Monday, April 6.
http://www.haitiaction.net/News/RA/10_18_17/10_18_7.html.

Roger Annis will also speak at a Unite Union froum at their offices on Tuesday, April 7, on the world economic crisis and how it is impacting on Canada. Later the same eveing we have a forum on the question of the rights of migrant workers in New Zealand at the Trades Hall. The next night there is a special guest from Cuba! Don't miss these opportunites.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“Our system for regulating markets and for prosecuting market crime is completely broken. If you mug someone in the street and you are caught, the chances are that you will go to prison. In recent years mugging someone out of their savings or their pension would probably earn you a yacht." Sir Ken Macdonald, a former Director of Public Prosecutions, The Times, 23rd Feb 2009 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article5785889.ece

"Joining an investment bank was like "joining a gang of jewellery robbers just after they made the heist of the century and just before they got caught by the police." 32-year-old mergers and acquisitions banker with an MBA quoted by Adrian Cox in the Financial Times 10th Feb 2009
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f6af60ba-f712-11dd-8a1f-0000779fd2ac.html

WHAT'S ON IN AUCKLAND

Wednesday, April 1, 6pm, Stone Lecture Theatre, 3rd Floor, Law School Building 801, 9 Eden Crescent, Auckland CBD
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND – FACULTY OF LAW, INTERNATIONAL LAW ASSOCIATION (NEW ZEALAND BRANCH) AND NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (AUCKLAND BRANCH) - EVENING SEMINAR - TOPIC: "150 YEARS SINCE THE BATTLE OF SOLFERINO:CURRENT IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMANITARIAN LAW" - SPEAKER: SIR KENNETH KEITH, Judge of the International Court of Justice. It is 150 years since Henri Dunantwitnessed the horrors of the Battle of Solferino, spurring him on to found the Red Cross. Since then, International Humanitarian Law has grown and developed. Sir Kenneth Keith explores those developments and in particular considers the current legal framework in the light of contemporary conditions. There will be no charge to attend this Seminar. RSVP your interest today to Piers or Raewyn, phone379 5026 or email raewyn@wwandd.co.nz

Saturday, April 4, 5.30pm, Academy Cinema (underneath Auckland Public Library)
FILM: Alhikmah Trust in association with Justice For Palestine present OCCUPATION 101: “The greatest enemy of knowledge is NOT ignorance ….It is the ILLUSION of knowledge” Stephen Hawking. Articulating the plight of the Palestinians, Occupation 101 has won several prestigious documentary & film awards. All proceeds go to funding aid work in Gaza. Programme:5.30-6.00 - Gathering & Fundraising; 6.00-7.30 - The movie: Occupation 101 (Rating: Mature, Some content may disturb). 7.30-8.00 - Discussion time & guest speakers. Tickets: Normal $10 VIP $15. For tickets and all other enquiries, please email Mohamed Abdelhady at mohamednz@worldnet.co.nz or text him on 021 125 71 48. Supported by: TesselSolutions (www.tessel.co.nz) .

Monday, April 6, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn.
APRIL GPJA FORUM: HAITI TODAY: FIVE YEARS OF UN-SPONSORED MILITARY OCCUPATION BRINGS DISASTER. In February, 2004, the elected president and government of Haiti were overthrown by a right-wing paramilitary rebellion backed by troops from the United States, France and Canada. A foreign-appointed, regime of human rights violations ruled Haiti for the two years that followed. An electedgovernment has ruled Haiti since early 2006. But the real power is held by a 10,000-member, UN-sponsored military occupation regime. Poverty, human rights violations and environmental degradation are worsening dramatically in a country that was already the poorest in the Americas. Hear: Roger Annis, a coordinator of the Canada Haiti Action Netowrk and participant in a human rights factfindingmission to Haiti in August 2007.

Tuesday, April 7, 6pm, Unite Centre, 6a Western Springs Rd, Morningside
THE FINANCIAL CRISIS HITS HOME IN CANADA. During the October, 2008 federal election in Canada, all the parties represented in the federal Parliament peddled a myth that Canada would escape the worst of the U.S.-sparked financial collapse. This in a country where the U.S. market consumes 76% of all Canadian exports. The economic situation in Canada is deteriorating rapidly, presenting newdifficulties and challenges for the country's trade unions and social movements. As well, renewed demands for political sovereignty are emerging among the French-speaking Quebecois nation that numbers 7 million and the one million Indigenous peoples. Speaking on the political situation in Canada today: Roger Annis, aerospace worker in Vancouver, long time socialist and trade union activists,editor of Socialist Voice.

Tuesday, April 7, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
DEBATE ON MIGRANT WORKERS IN NZ: Organised by Migrante Aotearoa, GPJA, Auckland Philippines Solidarity. Speakers to include trade unionists and migrant advocates. Contact Dennis Maga 021971070. Email: dennis.maga@ndu.org.nz

Wednesday, April 8, 7pm, Arts I 215, Spanish department, Auckland University
"Cuba Today - a view from the inside" - Lecture by Rigoberto Zarza Ross, official from Asia and Pacific Division at Cuban Instutute for Friendship among the Peoples. ICAP. Rigoberto graduated as Teacher of English from the Higher Pedagogical Institute Enrique José Varona at Havana in 2003. He worked as a teacher in a junior high school for two years. Then he moved to International Schoolof Physical Education and Sports, a cooperation project where students from Asia, Africa, Caribbean and Latin America study freely to become teachers and sport trainers. He worked there in the International Relationship Department, receiving visitors who came to school. From June 2007 he began to work at ICAP as an official in charge of solidarity work with Japan, New Zealand, Australia andPacific Islands. He has been director of Southern Cross brigade for last two years.

Thursday, April 23, 8pm, Tom Forde's Bar, 122 Anzac Avenue, Auckland
Come to Reggae for Blair Peach, organised by Socialist Aotearoa. from the British Socialist Worker paper- "As the police rushed past him, one of them hit him on the head with the stick. I was in my garden and saw this quite clearly. He was left sitting against the wall. He tried to get up, but he was shivering and looked very strange. He couldn't stand. Then the police came back and told him,'Move! Come on, move!' They were very rough with him and I was shocked because it was clear he was seriously hurt." This was the shocking testimony of Southall resident Parminder Atwal, one of the witnesses to the murder of Blair Peach at the hands of the Metropolitan Police on 23 April 1979.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL OUT FOR ART WORKS - OCTOBER 15 SOLIDARITY
The October 15th Solidarity group is seeking art works for an upcoming auction and exhibition. The five day event, to be held in Wellington, will be timed to coincide with the second anniversary of the raids (October 15th 2009). Funds raised will go towards legal fees and travel costs for those still facing charges as as a result of the state terror raids in 2007. The group believes in the powerof art as a voice of dissent, and calls for submissions that draw from any of the following: -the October 15th raids; -commentary on the 'war on terrorism'; -surveillance/police/prisons; -colonisation; -kaupapa Maori; -resistance. All artists will be asked to set a reserve price for their work. Please indicate your interest via email or post asap. Contact: Rachel Fabish info@october15thsolidarity.info October15th Solidarity, P O Box 9263, Te Aro, Wellington. More info: october15thsolidarity.info

TREATY OF WAITANGI: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, Network Waitangi, 2008
This 56 page publication is a revised and updated edition of 'Treaty Questions and Answers' which was first published by Network Waitangi in 1989. Covering many historical and contemporary issues, it is for people who would like to gain a basic knowledge about the Treaty of Waitangi and its implications, as well as for those who wish to refresh and update their understanding. Thepublication includes a summary of legislation and actions since 1840 which have breached the Treaty, and a comprehensive reading list for further information. Where you can get a copy: Treaty of Waitangi: Questions and Answers can be downloaded from http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/treatyqa.htm [pdf, 2.4MB] Hard copies are available: - asphotocopy quality, with a coloured cover, for $5 each + p&p from Network Waitangi Otautahi http://www.nwo.org.nz/resources.html or email organisers@nwo.org.nz - in glossy print, for $7 + p&p (individuals and community groups) / $10 + p&p (government agencies and businesses) from the TreatyResource Centre http://www.trc.org.nz/QA or email admin@awea.org.nz

HUMAN RIGHTS REVIEW PROCESS
Kia ora, this message is to let you know that we've updated the information on our web site about the Universal Periodic Review of NZ's human rights record with the addition of a new page 'Submissions, reports and resources' at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/nzupr09r.htm The page has sections with documents under the headings: NGO feedbackon the government's draft report, UN documents for NZ's Universal Periodic Review, NGO submissions to the Universal Periodic Review, other resources, and a link to the government's draft report. If your organisation submitted feedback on the government's draft report, and would like it added to the page, please email a copy to pma@xtra.co.nz Thank you.

FOREIGN CONTROL WATCHDOG 119 - FEBRUARY 09
http://www.converge.org.nz/watchdog/19/index19.htm

- Who Wins If We Get A Free Trade Deal With The US? by Bill Rosenberg
- Heeeere’s Johnny! by Murray Horton
- The Greedy Creation Of Hunger: New Zealand And Free Trade, by Dennis Small

Reviews, by Jeremy Agar
- “Serving Whose Interests? The Political Economy Of Trade In Services Agreements”, by Jane Kelsey
- “Rescuing The New Zealand Economy”, by Bryan Gould
- “World Investment Report: Transnational Corporations And The Infrastructure Challenge”, United Nations Conference On Trade And Development

2008 Roger Award Finalists Named, by Murray Horton

NATIONAL PEACE WORKSHOPS MARCH 27-29 IN WHANGANUI
'Promoting peace through active non-violent resistance':

A reminder that the deadline for registration for the 2009 National Peace Workshops is Tuesday, 24 March - more information is below and online at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/npw09.htm This message includes an update on car pooling to the Peace Workshops from Auckland and Wellington

Programme: workshops and participatory discussion with contributors who have experience of community and individual non-violent resistance, and / or of non-violent direct action here and overseas - including the Waihopai Ploughshares team (a rare opportunity to hear Peter, Adi and Sam share their experiences), contributors involved with the Alternatives to Violence Project inJordan, the West Papua 'land of peace' campaign, and more! The programme also includes campaign updates from a range of peace and related groups.

Venue: the 2009 Peace Workshops are at the Quaker Settlement on the northern outskirts of Whanganui, a place noted for its quiet peaceful atmosphere, and beautiful yet simple award-winning facilities. It is on a 20 acre site with a range of accommodation options, a swimming pool, areas of forest and native trees, a pond which has been developed as a Garden of Peace for quietretreat and contemplation, and a walk around the boundary of the site with scenic views.

Registration and cost: there are a variety of cost options for participants ranging from $20 to $160 per adult, with special rates for children. The low income and child rates are below cost, but if these reduced rates are beyond your means please let us know. The registration form is at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/npw09reg.pdf and the deadline for registration is Tuesday, 24 March. Details of how to get to the Settlement will be sent when you register.

Update on car pooling: there are seats available in cars travelling from Wellington to the Peace Workshops. Help is needed with transport from Auckland to Whanganui (on Friday, 27th) and back (on Sunday, 29th) - if you can assist with this, please email pma@xtra.co.nz as soon as possible.

More information, the registration form, accommodation and travel options are available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/npw09.htm or from Peace Movement Aotearoa email pma@xtra.co.nz

The 2009 National Peace Workshops are co-sponsored by the Alternatives to Violence Project Aotearoa, Anti-Bases Campaign, Indonesia Human Rights Committee, National Consultative Committee on Disarmament, Pax Christi, Peace Foundation, Peace Foundation Wellington office, Peace Movement Aotearoa, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (Aotearoa section and Tamaki Makaurau branch)

SAVE SEALORD JOBS
An on-line petition has been launched to save 160 jobs at Sealord’s fish processing plant in Nelson. You can add your name -- and personal message, if you wish -- here: http://www.sfwu.org/index.asp?PageID=2145870266

FREE BURMA’S POLITICAL PRISONERS NOW!
Sign the Petition at http://www.fbppn.net/ Tell your friends to sign the petition. 888,888 Signatures for Burma. There are over 2,100 political prisoners languishing in prisons all over Burma. A global signature campaign for the release of Burma’s political prisoners is launching today, Friday 13 March, on Burma’s Human Rights Day. Thecampaign aims to collect 888,888 signatures before 24 May 2009, the legal date that Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader of the opposition National League for Democracy Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should be released from house arrest. Over 160 Burma exile and solidarity groups are participating in the campaign, in 24 different countries around the world. The petition calls on the UN Secretary General BanKi-moon to make it his personal priority to secure the release of all political prisoners in Burma, as the essential first step towards democracy in the country. The target symbolises 8.8.88, the day the junta massacred some 3,000 people who courageously protested in Burma’s largest democracy uprising.

NOT CORPORATE TV
Ive created a blog called "Not Corporate TV" at blogspot which covers a host of topics. http://notcorporatetv.blogspot.com/ One of the main purposes of the blog is to get average Kiwi's up to speed about what's happening in the world that the media are not talking about. This will hopefully put us in a better position to fend off thetrend towards corporate propaganda and the facism that is now almost upon us. You might be right up to speed I don't know. The problem is most of us aren't and thats why I've created the website. Getting information out to the general public as quickly as possible is imperitive. There's one particular Documentary there by the BBC entitled "The Power of Nightmares" which covers the origins of AlQaeda and the Neocons in the US. The site covers "The Project For the New American Century", 911 Mysteries "Demolitions", The Millitary industrial complex etc etc. There is also a section of John Pilger video's. Sally Smith communicae@fastmail.fm

DON"T CORRUPT NZAID

You may have read in "Herald" about the plans to close NZAID as a stand-alone agency and fold it back into MFAT so that, as the "Don't Corrupt Aid" network of NZ aid agencies describes it "it can be used as a political weapon in negotiating trade agreements instead of focusing on unbiased developmental assistance and poverty alleviation." Don't Corrupt Aid is an umbrella group including Oxfamand Amnesty International as well as a number of other NGOs and agencies. website www.dontcorruptaid.org.nz

NUCLEAR FREE AND INDEPENDENT PACIFIC DAY
This message is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/nfipday.htm 1 March, is Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific Day ('Bikini' Day) which marks the anniversary of the US 'Bravo' nuclear bomb detonation at Bikini Atoll [*] in 1954. The explosion gouged out a crater more than 200 feet deep and a mile across, melting hugequantities of coral which were sucked up into the atmosphere together with vast volumes of seawater. The resulting fallout caused widespread contamination in the Pacific. Powdery particles of radioactive fallout landed on the island of Rongelap (100 miles away) to a depth of one and a half inches in places, and radioactive mist appeared on Utirik (300 miles away). Radiation levels in theinhabited atolls of Rongerik, Ujelang and Likiep also rose dramatically. The US navy did not send ships to evacuate the people of Rongelap and Utirik until three days after the explosion. The people in the Marshall Islands, and elsewhere in the Pacific, were used as human guinea pigs in an obscene racist experiment to 'progress' the insane pursuit of nuclear weapons supremacy. Nuclear Free andIndependent Pacific Day is a day to remember that the arrogant colonialist mindset which allowed, indeed encouraged, the horror mentioned above continues today - the Pacific remains neither nuclear free nor independent. It is a day to think about the many faces of colonisation - physical, cultural, spiritual, economic, political, nuclear, military - past and present; the issues of independence,self-determination and sovereignty here in Aotearoa New Zealand and the other colonised countries of the Pacific; and the ability of Pacific peoples to stop further nuclearisation, militarisation and economic globalisation of our region. It is a day to acknowledge and remember those who have suffered and died in the struggle for independence around the Pacific; those who have opposed colonisationin its many forms and paid for their opposition with their health and life; and those who have suffered and died as a result of the nuclear weapons states' use of the Pacific for nuclear experimentation, uranium mining, nuclear weapons testing and nuclear waste dumping. It is a day to celebrate the strength and endurance of indigenous Pacific peoples who have maintained and taken back control oftheir lives, languages and lands to ensure the ways of living and being which were handed down from their ancestors are passed on to future generations. It is the day to pledge your support to continue the struggle for a nuclear free and independent Pacific, as the theme of the 8th Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific Conference said: No te parau tia, no te parau mau, no te tiamaraa, e tu, e tu -For justice, for truth and for independence, wake up, stand up ! - Peace Movement Aotearoa

[*] In 1946, a military officer representing the US government asked the people of Bikini if they would be willing to leave their atoll temporarily so that the United States could begin testing atomic bombs for "the good of mankind and to end all world wars". They have been prevented from returning to their home ever since because of the level of radioactive contamination remaining there. InApril 2006, together with the people of Enewetak, they filed a lawsuit against the US government in the US Court of Federal Claims. The lawsuit sought compensation for the taking of their property, and damage claims resulting from the US government’s failure and refusal to adequately fund the orders of the Nuclear Claims Tribunal. In 2000 and 2001 the Tribunal awarded compensation totalingaround $948 million for loss of the islands, clean-up and resettlement costs, and personal injury and hardship. So far the Tribunal has only paid out about $3.8 million. On 29 January 2009, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled against the people of Bikini and Enewetak, saying an agreement between the governments of the United States and Marshall Islands in 1986 is a settlementthat is beyond judicial review - affirming the US Court of Federal Claims ruling on 2 August 2007. The decision of the Court of Appeals is available at http://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/opinions/07-5175.pdf with the people of Bikini's response to the 2007 Court of Federal Claims ruling at http://www.bikiniatoll.com/Appellate%20brief%20reply%20final%204-25-08.pdf A history of Bikini Atoll and thepeople's struggle for justice is at http://www.bikiniatoll.com/history.html

PHILIPPINE NURSES SPEAK OUT
Dear Friends, If you are a Filipino second courser nurse who would like to appeal for fair assessment, please visit http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/philnursespeakout If you would like to support the appeal of Filipino second courser nurse, please visit http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/supportphilnursespeakout/ Philippine Nurses Speak Out! Campaign for Fair Assessment of Filipino Nurses in New Zealand. Are you a second courser hoping to be registered but have been rejected by the Nursing Council? This campaign is for you! Since 2008, several Filipino nurses working ashealthcare assistants in New Zealand have been declined registration by the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ). All Internationally Qualified Nurses (IQN), whether Double Degree or Pure Nursing graduates, are supposedly assessed on the basis of the NCNZ general set of criteria. The NCNZ has disqualified Filipino applicants who took up nursing in less than four years, questioning theircompetence and educational background. Filipino second courser nurses are those who completed degrees in Biology, Psychology, Dentistry, Medicine and others before taking up Nursing, thus already gained credits and finished Nursing in less than four years in the Philippines. Philippine Nurses Speak Out! is a network of Filipino nurses and their advocates that will campaign for the NCNZ torecognise the knowledge and skills of Filipino nurses who hold nursing as a second degree. The network aims to unite Filipino nurses to speak out for their rights and build broad-based support from the New Zealand public and concerned agencies in order to guarantee the rights of Filipino nurses to equal employment opportunity in New Zealand. Philippine Nurses Speak Out! calls on the NCNZ to takeinto account the good record of Filipinos including second coursers serving New Zealand resthomes, hospitals and medical centres since 2001.
WHAT CAN WE DO
•Launch a petition campaign: URGENT APPEAL FOR FAIR ASSESSMENT OF FILIPINO NURSES
•Seek dialogue with the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
•Seek the support of the Human Rights Commission (Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner), and other appropriate agencies.
•Seek the support of employers, superiors, colleagues, clients, their families and all concerned citizens in New Zealand and around the world to write to the Nursing Council to express support for our call for fair assessment of second coursers from the Philippines. A Speak Out gathering of affected nurses and advocates in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will serve as our Public Launchof the campaign in March 2009.
Join/support this campaign! Contact: Auckland: Amie Dural - 0212050149, Ruby Lat – 02102494277; Hamilton: Joy Martin - 0211351620; Wellington: Eunica Aure – 0211462325; Email us: nurse_pinoy@yahoo.co.nz, migrante_nz@yahoo.co.nz To sign the online petition, go to: www.ipetitions.com/petition/philnursespeakout MIGRANTE NZ, Organization of Filipino Migrant Workers in New Zealand. migrantenz.blogspot.com "We dream of a society where families were not broken up by urgent need for survival. We dream and will actively work for a homeland where there is opportunity foreveryone to live a decent and humane life." Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM)

UN DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE PETITION
the deadline of 1 March for return of signatures on the petition has been extended as the petition has not yet been scheduled for consideration by a Select Committee. The final deadline is thus uncertain but we will let you know as soon as we do. Thanks to all who've posted forms back to us, and if you can keep on collecting signatures that would be great - the form is at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/declpet.pdf or from Peace Movement Aotearoa email pma@xtra.co.nz

CAMP FOR CLIMATE ACTION AOTEAROA
This is a call out for individuals and communities across the country to join in organising (an ongoing project which aims to start) a peoples movement actively addressing the root causes of Climate Change.WHY?
For over two decades of international climate negotiations we have watched politicians and business lie, cheat and deceive their way out of taking appropriate and equitable action on climate change. In fact, many of the so-called solutions on the table are as much of a threat to the poor and powerless as climate change is itself. The systemic nature of the problem makes it impossiblefor us to expect these changes to happen at the hands of those who caused the problem in the first place. We believe its time to take direct action at the root of these problems so rather than spending another few decades asking these clowns to do it for us, we're going to do it ourselves and we hope you'll join us, because its going to be lots of fun :
WHAT IS A CLIMATE CAMP?
Climate Camps have been successfully held in several countries. Each camp has generally covered the following themes: direct action, education, direct democracy, sustainable living and building a movement to effectively tackle climate change by both resisting climate damaging activities and developing sustainable solutions. The camps are a place for anyone to take action on climate change; foranyone who's fed up with empty government rhetoric and corporate spin; for anyone who's worried that the small steps we've been encouraged to make in our personal lives aren't enough to match the scale of the problem; and for anyone who's worried about our future and wants to do something about it.
HOW IS THIS ORGANISED?
The way in which previous camps have been organised in a very community based way. Before and during camp regional groups Auckland group / Whangarei group / nelson group] work and organise by consensus. This is different from coming as a representative of an organisation, and is far more democratic, sustainable and conducive to building a peoples movement. There are already many regional andsub-project based working groups up and running that you could join, maybe there's one in your area, if not feel free to get in touch and start one up yourself.To find out when the next meeting in your region is happening please send an email to: climatecampnz@riseup.net

DOCUMENTRAY FILM FESTIVAL
Kia Ora, Docs Rock! That is the theme for the 2009 DOCNZ International Documentary Film Festival. The festival takes place nationwide from 26 February to 5 April and screens more than 50 local and international documentaries. Each and every one of these is powerful and inspiring enough to rock your world. However, some may be of particular interest to your community or members. It may alsointerest you to learn about our Multiple Tickets Discount. This discount allows you to buy 5 or more tickets for any combination of sessions at the same venue for NZD 12.00 instead of the usual NZD 15.00. These 5 or more tickets can then be divided by you among multiple people as you see fit. If you are interested in actively promoting the festival and ticket sales, we invite you to contact us todiscuss it further at 09 360 0329. For more information about the DOCNZ 2009 and full programme, please visit our website: www.docnz.org.nz We look forward to seeing you at the festival. Kind regards, The DOCNZ Team. Henrik Bitterle | DOCNZ The Documentary New Zealand Trust Level 1, 114 - 116 |Ponsonby Road | Ponsonby, Auckland 1011 | Tel: +64 9 360 0329 http://www.docnz.org.nz

JOIN THE RAT PATROL AGAINST UNFAIR DISMISSALS: From March '09 workers in small businesses will be able to be sacked for any reason, or no reason at all, in their first 90 days of employment. The RAT PATROL has been launched by unions and community groups to make sure no worker get unfairly dismissed under the new law. There is loads of anger in the community about the new law,and people love the idea of bringing the giant inflatable rat to shame their own rat bosses.
REGISTER AS A RAT PATROL MEMBER to join the emergency solidarity pickets against unfair sackings. Our goal is to have several hundred people registered as willing and able to respond to appeals for help on short notice. Register with your email address and/or mobile number for text messages.
TO REGISTER GO TO http://unite.org.nz/?q=contact OR EMAIL wewontpayforyourcrisis@gmail.com

DONATE TO PALESTINE MEDICAL RELIEF SOCIETY.
Send donations c/- ARENA. The Arena bank account number is 06 0807 0122658 23 - National Bank, Fitzgerald Ave Christchurch branch. The 23 account is the international programme account. We shall apply for HAF funds in the February round, or if the government provides a special fund for Palestine. The situation for the PMRS is serious with the Israeli military advancing towards the PMRS headoffice in Gaza on the 15th Jan - see their website for full details".
http://www.pmrs.ps/last/index.php

BOYCOTT ISRAEL
FRANCE: ACTION BOYCOTT ISRAEL – in French: The visual impact of this action is truly amazing and if it could be replicated in stores throughout the country, it would grab the headlines soon enough and capture the imagination of people everywhere. Definitely a must-watch video! http://www.europalestine.com:80/article.php3?id_article=3908

PLUS Tariq Ali puts the case for a total boycott of Israel outside the Israel Embassy in London – 10 January 2009. "Israel operates a system of racial Apartheid against its non-Jewish inhabitants and has been illegally occupying Palestinian land in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights since 1967. It has sought to further annex these lands and has systematicallytransferred its own civilian population into these occupied territories in contravention of international law. Israel continues to build the illegal Apartheid wall, annexing vast swathes of Palestinian land in the West Bank and creating Palestinian ghettos, despite the ruling of the International Court of Justice that this is illegal. 180 Palestinian organisations and unions have called for acampaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Apartheid Israel - I urge you to consider supporting this campaign." http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=1xEUqCWWlE0

AOTEAROA
http://big.org.nz/boycottisraeligoods/index.php

Australian Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions Campaign for Palestine
http://australianbdscampaign.wordpress.com/

TO THOSE INTERESTED IN ANOTHER SOCIETY: CAPITALISM CRASHES - WHAT'S THE LEFT DOING?
Capitalism 's crisis is not a temporary blip in the machine. It is a serious far-reaching failure of the systems that enable capitalism to exist. 2009 is very likely to show that as always the poor and the workers will be asked to bear the brunt and rebuild the system that oppresses them. Capital and its governments are using the peoples money to prop up the bankers and speculators. How willworking people and citizens generally react when they realise they are required to bear the losses for the sake of the failed operators of the capitalist machine. Will they just grumble in private or will they resist? The Left is responsible for informing them and encouraging resistance to failed capitalism
A FORUM TO BUILD RESISTANCE?
A Social Forum Meeting in Aotearoa in 2009 would provide a non-sectarian and open means of bringing together those who want to take action against the crisis, and find ways to build resistance. The WORLD SOCIAL FORUM motto, 'Another World is Possible" does not define what it is seeking, but allows for people of differing views to put their ideas forward under that broad banner. Looking ahead itwill take some months for people to realise that the Key solution is not all tax breaks and cosy policies. The crisis is here now. By the Budget in May people will begin to learn that the crisis of the rich is to be solved at the expense of the lower paid. The best time to give major publicity to resistance therefore is toward the end of 2009 - say at Labour Day weekend. And leading to that aseries of actions and statements could help alert the exploited to what is being done to them. I am writing to you to see if you think this or some alternative action can help people become more conscious of what is happening and to resist. My email address is jimddig@clear.net. nz, my address 47 Fairview Crescent Wellington 6012, my phone (04) 9386943.DO YOU WANT TO BUILD RESISTANCE TO CAPITALISM? PLEASE LET ME KNOW URGENTLY! - JIM DELAHUNTY

2009 NATIONAL PEACE WORKSHOPS MARCH 27-29, WHANGANUI
'Promoting peace through active non-violent resistance' Friday, 27 March to Sunday, 29 March 2009: The 2009 National Peace Workshops - the national gathering for people interested in peace, social justice, and human rights - will be at the Quaker Settlement in Whanganui, from 6pm on Friday, 27 March to 3pm on Sunday, 29 March. Information about the programme, venue, accommodation,registration and travel options is available on the 2009 National Peace Workshops (NPW) web page at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/npw09.htm and in the message below. There is an A4 poster for the NPW at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/A4NPW09.pdf and an A5 flyer at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/A5NPW09.pdf Contact details: Peace Movement Aotearoa, PO Box 9314, Wellington 6141. Tel (04) 382 8129, email pma@xtra.co.nz National Peace Workshops web page http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/npw09.htm

WORLD AT A CROSSROADS: FIGHTING FOR SOCIALISM IN THE 21st CENTURY - FULL AGENDA
International speakers from: VENEZUELA, ARGENTINA, CANADA, PAKISTAN, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, PHILIPPINES, TIMOR LESTE, INDIA, AUSTRALIA … and more Easter 2009, April 10-12. Sydney. Venue: Sydney Girls High, Cnr Anzac Pde & Cleveland St, Surry Hills. For more info' and to buy your tickets: Agenda: http://links.org.au/node/918 Email: dsp@dsp.org.au or sydney.resistance@gmail.com Phone: (+ 612) 9690 1230 Visit: www.WorldAtACrossroads.org

VENEZUELA SOLIDARITY BRIGADE APRIL 15-25TH, 2009
In the last five years, the Australia Venezuela Solidarity Network (AVSN) has organised eight study/solidarity brigades from Australia to Venezuela involving more than 180 participants. The dates of this year's brigade have been set to allow participants to also join the ICAP brigade to Cuba for May Day on the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. Detailed reports on previous brigades areavailable upon request.
Participants in the April 15-25 brigade will visit worker-controlled factories and cooperatives, free public education and health programs, and community media outlets. They will observe "popular power" at work in the communal councils, and speak to a wide range of grassroots and government organisations about the radical pro-worker changes being implemented by the Venezuelan people.Accommodation (twin-share basis), transport and Spanish-English translation within Venezuela will be organised for brigade participants. Participants will need to book their own international airfares, but the brigade organisers are able to help with advice. If someone is not able to participate in the entire 10-day brigade, they are welcome to join the brigade at any point, subject topre-arrangement with the brigade organisers. The deadline for registering for the brigade is March 1, 2009. The registration fee is $500 for full-time workers and $300 for pensioners/students/low-waged workers.

MESSAGE FROM A BRIGADISTA IN CUBA
“The brigade was an amazing experience. I joined the whole experience - the camp life, working in the fields, the lectures (which were fascinating) and I found the group worked really well together. As it grew to an end I think it was time for us to have a break from each other, but I have swapped emails with many brigadistas and I am sure I will keep in touch..... Thank you for helping toorganise the trip. I hope more Kiwis go in future years.”

IV EDITION OF MAY DAY WORLD BRIGADE OF SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA
Dear Friends: The celebration of May Day is a tradition of the world proletariat. All over the world the working class, main character of our contemporary times, claims for their rights and interests through different expressions of revolutionary activities. In 2009, Cuban working class will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Revolution: half century of workers' power, of fight against theAmerican empire and of working-class internationalism. The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) invites you to a new edition of a May Day World Brigade of Solidarity with Cuba. Friends from all over the world will attend the fourth edition of the Brigade to participate in all activities for the celebration and share with the Cuban workers and people. The program prepared for thiscelebration includes visits to places of historical, cultural, educational and social interest. Lectures, with updating information, will give you an accurate picture of the Cuban reality. The program also includes the International Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba that will take place after the activities for the celebration of May Day. Inscriptions are available up to April 1st 2009. You aresupposed to inform us the airline, date and time of arrival. We are looking forward to hosting you!!!! Leopoldo Alfredo Valle Alvarez, Director

4th Edition of May Day International Brigade. sonia@icap.cu.

Email inashina@clear.net.nz for more information.

GIVE TALKBACK RADIO A CALL
Advertise march and give key facts to counter Zionist spin. Mention the GPJA website. RADIO LIVE 0800 723 465; ZB TALKBACK 0800801080; RADIO WATEA WED NIGHT 8-11PM 09 2570603

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

John Minto: Attacks, the privatisation
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/opinion/2267334/Attacks-then-privatisation

NZ activists: Stop political killings in RP
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20090317-194651/NZ-activists-Stop-political-killings-in-RP

Market research workers begin hunger strike
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0902/S00289.htm

Synovate Interviewers Start ‘Hunger Strike’
http://www.mrweb.com/cgi-bin/drnofrmr.cgi?ppNum=9617

Karen journalist from Burma at AUT on inaugural Asian Journalism Fellowship Violet Cho, a 25-year-old indigenous Karen journalist writing for Irawaddy magazine and living in Thailand, has won AUT Pacific Media Centre's inaugural Asian Journalism Fellowship. The fellowship is supported by an Asia: NZ Foundation grant. She arrived in New Zealand at the weekend and is joining the Bachelor ofCommunication Studies (Honours) programme. She will also be a resource journalist with the PMC for a year. Her story:
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/02/karen-journalist-in-critical-force-for.html

NZ spooks exposed by Asia-Pacific campaigners
http://cafepacific.blogspot.com/2009/03/nz-spooks-exposed-by-asia-pacific.html

Media needs to question 'spying', says campaigner
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/03/media-needs-to-question-spying-says.html

Tertiary Update - Vol 12 No 5 - Column: Association of University Staff
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0903/S00018.htm

Protest Against Nestle Killing Workers
http://indymedia.org.nz/newswire/display/76928/index.php

John MInto: And the Roger Award for 2008 goes to...
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion/frontline/2166391/And-the-Roger-Award-for-2008-goes-to

Economic recession most challenging race relations issue - Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres says the deepening economic recession will be the most challenging issue for race relations in the coming year.
http://www.hrc.co.nz/hrc_new/hrc/cms/files/documents/09-Mar-2009_12-52-05_RRReport_web.pdf

John Minto: Who Is To Blame For Binge Drinking? Marketing alcohol to teenagers is cynical more than subtle.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00168.htm

Victims caught in cultural silence
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10560381&pnum=0

Keith Locke MP Discusses His SIS File (Audio)
http://www.greens.org.nz/node/20774

ENVIRONMENT

World's leading scientists in desperate plea to politicians to act on climate change
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/environment/4982149/Worlds-leading-scientists-in-desperate-plea-to-politicians-to-act-on-climate-change.html

FEATURES

GRAIN, The soils of war: the real agenda behind agricultural reconstruction in Afghanistan and Iraq, 'GRAIN Briefing', March 2009,
http://www.grain.org/briefings/?id=217

Marx is back! Karl Marx and his contribution to the socialist tradition
http://links.org.au/node/940

Now statistics prove it - more equal societies have fewer social problems
http://marxsite.com/SpiritLevelReview.html

The theory of everything - These two British academics argue that almost every social problem, from crime to obesity, stems from one root cause: inequality. John Crace meets the authors of what might be the most important book of the year
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/mar/12/equality-british-society

REVIEWS

CRISIS AND CRITICISM by Ben Davis - It may feel a bit odd to return to the well-worn theme of the "crisis in criticism" at a time that is colloquially referred to as the "Worst Economic Crisis since the Great Depression." Ruminating on the relative merits of descriptive vs. prescriptive criticism while art critics are being unceremoniously shit-canned left and right would seem to be, you know,a bit of a tangent.
http://www.artnet.com/magazineus/reviews/davis/davis1-29-09.asp

The End of Poverty: Scheduled for theatrical release in September 2009, Philippe Diaz’s “The End of Poverty?” was a feature presentation at the 2008 African Diaspora Film Festival. After watching this documentary last night, I feel confident in stating that there is no sharper critic of the capitalist system in the film world than Philippe Diaz. This amazing movie not onlyexplains how global inequality has its roots in 1492, but also allows the victims of “Western civilization” to speak for themselves. Indeed, the movie will remind you of Mahatma Gandhi’s famous rely to a Western reporter who asked him what he thought of Western civilization. He answered, “I think it would be a good idea.”
http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/the-end-of-poverty/

EU-Japan history via Karl Marx, the manga
http://www.cafebabel.com/eng/article/29143/marx-capital-comic-book-japan-europe-history-manga.html

Following the clues: evolution as a detective thriller
http://www.aworldtowin.net/reviews/DarwinLostWorld.html

ECONOMIC CRISIS

The bill that could break up Europe: If eastern Europe goes down, it may take the European Union with it From The Economist
http://www.economist.com/opinion/PrinterFriendly.cfm?story_id=13184655

A Failed System - The World Crisis of Capitalist Globalization and its Impact on China by John Bellamy Foster
http://www.monthlyreview.org/090302foster.php

John Bellamy Foster: `A whole different kind of struggle is emerging'
http://links.org.au/node/925

The doublespeak of the discredited IMF
http://links.org.au/node/947

Did Marx have it right all along? By Stephen King, HSBC Group's chief economist
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/opinion/view-from-london/did-marx-have-it-right-all-along-14218896.html

The Crisis and the Consolidation of Class Power - Is This Really the End of Neoliberalism? By DAVID HARVEY
http://www.counterpunch.org/harvey03132009.html

Sesame Street Explains the Madoff Scandal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ8OjAB_e3g&feature=popular

PACIFIC

Struggle for Papua's independence - Special BBC report
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7940882.stm

Who owns the forum? An opinion by Dr ROMAN GRYNBERG
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=116342

AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan: A Surge Toward Disaster
http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/bullet193.html

AUSTRALIA

McDonald's lifting prices in working-class areas in "demand-based" pricing scheme
http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,27753,25108515-462,00.html

The peace activist the Jewish News rejects
http://antonyloewenstein.com/blog/2009/03/12/the-peace-activist-the-jewish-news-rejects/

BOLIVIA

Writing About Bolivia
http://www.democracyctr.org/blog/2009/03/writing-about-bolivia_22.html

Can the US and Bolivia get along? Perhaps – but first the Obama administration must settle differences over drug enforcement, diplomacy and trade
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/feb/25/bolivia-us-obama-bush

Bolivia: Legacy of Che Guevara endures
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/785/40424

Bolivia: `More of the same’? Or a break with `traditions’? The MAS: a paradoxical case of democratisation
http://links.org.au/node/944

Dangers of economic instability
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/787/40534

CAMBODIA

Pilger: Cambodia's empty dock - International justice is a farce while those in the west who sided with Pol Pot's murders escape trial http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/21/cambodia-human-rights-john-pilger

CANADA

Israeli Apartheid Week beats back attacks on free speech
http://www.rabble.ca/news/israeli-apartheid-week-beats-back-attacks-free-speech

CUBA

Outpouring of Support Worldwide Urging the U.S. Supreme Court to Review the Convictions of the “Cuban Five”
http://ccrjustice.org/newsroom/press-releases/outpouring-support-worldwide-urging-u.s.-supreme-court-review-convictions-%E2%80%9Cc

EL SALVADOR

El Salvador: Victorious FMLN candidate promises `to benefit the poor rather than the rich'
http://links.org.au/node/951

FRANCE

Sacked French Sony workers release boss from captivity
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/13/sony-france-boss-hostage

General strike shakes France’s Caribbean colonies
http://links.org.au/node/924

GUADEPLOUPE

`First Victory' in Guadeloupe general strike; Movement spreads to other French colonies
http://links.org.au/node/938

HAITI

Haiti, the Financial Crisis, and International Solidarity
http://www.socialistvoice.ca/?p=369

The March 20 broadcast of Democracy Now features a lengthy and informative interview with professor and U.S. civil rights leader Randall Robinson on the current situation in Haiti. Robinson was part of the mission that rescued Jean-Bertrand Aristide from his kidnapping and exile in the the Central African Republic by U.S. military forces in February/March 2004. He wrote an important book onthe coup and his personal experiences surrounding it entitled, "An Unbroken Agony." You can listen to the Democracy Now interview at:
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/3/20/protest_planned_outside_ny_immigration_office

You can read of review of Randall Robinson's book at: The author of the review, Roger Annis, will speak in Auckland on the situation in Haiti on Monday, April 6.
http://www.haitiaction.net/News/RA/10_18_17/10_18_7.html.

The Canada Haiti Action Network recently organized events in nine cities to mark the fifth anniversary of the illegal coup d’etat that removed Haiti’s elected president and government from office. You can read a report of those cross-Canada events at:
http://canadahaitiaction.ca/?page_id=492

PAKISTAN

Tariq Ali: Pakistan's drift into the hands of extremists - The intention of the attack on Sri Lanka's cricket team was to send a clear message to Washington: Pakistan is ungovernable
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/mar/03/pakistan-srilanka

Pakistan: Victory for Pakistan's Long March!
http://links.org.au/node/946

PALESTINE

Israel's death squads: A soldier's story - A former member of an Israeli assassination squad has broken his silence for the first time. He spoke to Donald Macintyre
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israels-death-squads-a-soldiers-story-1634774.html

Dead Palestinian babies and bombed mosques - IDF fashion 2009
http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072466.html

Rights org: Palestinians in Israel suffer health rights discrimination
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article10352.shtml

Are Palestinians allowed to resist?
http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=52162&s2=27

Israeli economist: boycotts beginning to bite
http://jewssansfrontieres.blogspot.com/2009/03/israeli-economist-boycotts-beginning-to.html

Ilan Pappe on histories and historians in Israel
http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/TfC/article/view/203/182

Animation: `Closed Zone', by Yoni Goldman, the animator of `Waltz with Bashir'
http://links.org.au/node/936

Israelis Are Beginning to See the Power of BDS
http://www.alternativenews.org/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1605&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=381

'Color Purple' author: Catastrophe has befallen Gaza
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1070313.html

UK Government Boycotts Israeli Tycoon Lev Leviev over Settlement Construction
http://www.bdsmovement.net/?q=node/328

Who said nearly 50 years ago that Israel was an Apartheid State? by Ronnie Kasrils Ronnie Kasrils, the grandson of Jewish emigres to South Africa, fought for decades against apartheid in his homeland, and with victory served in the governments of Nelson Mandela, and later Thabo Mbeki. His last ministerial appointment was as Chief of Intelligence Services, a position he held for 4 years untilhe resigned with other members of Cabinet after President Mbeki announced his resignation in 2008. He became internationally known for his "Declaration of Conscience by South Africans of Jewish Descent" and in 2007 came under fire from South Africa’s Jewish Board of Deputies for extending an invitation to the Hamas Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh to visit South Africa. In responseto those criticisms, he said "Those who myopically object to such invitations merely show that they have learnt nothing from South Africa's transition."
http://world.mediamonitors.net/content/view/full/60684/

PHILIPPINES

AMNESTY, EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: ‘Probe and end political killings’- Envoy condemns Pitao, Billanes murders
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090316-194452/Probe-and-end-political-killings

A Killing too far
http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2009/03/14/a-killing-too-far-rebelyn-pitao/print/

SOUTH AFRICA

A critique of the ANC and COPE election manifestos
http://links.org.au/node/953

SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka’s war on Tamils: the unknown genocide
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/786/40464

UK

Lady Justice an apparition for Palestinian - The following is an exclusive Press TV interview with Mahmud Abu-Rida, a Palestinian refugee in the UK who tells the tale of his plight in the British kingdom. http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=87840§ionid=3510302

Firms bought secret personal data on staff - privacy chief - Major companies accused of colluding to 'blacklist' troublesome workers
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/06/data-protection-construction-industry

Arthur Scargill: 'We could surrender - or stand and fight' - It has been 25 years since the miners' strike began - now, for the first time, the then president of the NUM writes his account of the most divisive and bitter industrial dispute in living memory
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/mar/07/arthur-scargill-miners-strike

VENEZUELA
Chavez cuts budget over oil price: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has unveiled a series of measures to offset falling oil revenues that account for about 50% of the national budget. He proposed to cut the 2009 budget by 6.7% and increase sales taxes. Mr Chavez also pledged salary cuts for senior public officials, but a 20% rise in the minimum wage.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7957536.stm

Referendum victory advances process of change
http://links.org.au/node/927

Democracy, revolution and the `president for life' lie
http://links.org.au/node/906

Chavez sends army to rice plants
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7917176.stm

ends

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