GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND

NEWSLETTER No. 302, October 1, 2009

Website: http://gpjanz.wordpress.com/

GPJA October Forum - Monday 5th October, 7.30pm at Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn.

Reclaiming Power: Climate Change, the absolute contradiction of capitalism threatens to send the panet and its inhabitance into what climatologists are calling a 'death spiral' - a climatic state not seen since 10 mllion years ago, when over 95% of species on earth vanished forever. The future is not what it used to be...

The high-level international response to this threat is known as the Kyoto Protocol, part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Kyoto has degenerated into a basket of neoliberal free market-esque solutions with the UNFCCC being dubbed 'The World Carbon Trade Organisation', the climate WTO.

This December, New Zealand will send its WTO negotiator Tim Groser and a team of industry representatives to Copenhagen for the world' biggest climate change summit/carbon trading trade-show to date. The solutions on the table at this gigantic G8 style meeting include the privatisation of rain forests in developing countries and the atmosphere with the World Bank positioning itself as the sole / main broker for post-Kyoto carbon credits. The big Greens, steeped in conflicts of interest as carbon traders themselves are falling over themselves to welcome the transition to a green-er version of capitalism.

Luckily, someone has a better idea - Four activists from 'Camp for Climate Action Aotearoa', a project that aims to build a peoples movement addressing the root causes of climate change right here in New Zealand will explain what's happening to our climate, how rich nations like New Zealand have hijacked the international negotiations and turned them into a trade show for false capitalist solutions, how ten years after Seattle; the alter-globalisation movement is being reborn in the context of this fight for Climate Justice and how Camp for Climate Action Aotearoa is a living part of that movement.

www.climatecamp.org.nz

"EXPLOSIVE EXPRESSION"- CREATIVE RESISTANCE TO THE STATE TERROR RAIDS OF OCTOBER '07. "ART EXHIBITION AND AUCTION."

Art Auction 7pm, Saturday 17 October, Thistle Hall, Wellington - or bid online at www.October15thSolidarity.info/artauction We encourage you to check out the awesome art works. The 'Operation 8' raids on houses in Te Urewera and around Aotearoa targeted indigenous rights, environmental, anti-war and union activists. 18 people still face politically motivated charges. Funds raised will support those affected by the raids. If you are in Wellington, we invite you to share in a week of events commemorating the 2007 'terror' raids:

Tuesday 13 Oct, 6pm: Exhibition Opening with Tame Iti at Thistle Hall Gallery

Wednesday 14 Oct, 7.30pm: A celebration of musical resistance featuring the works of Urs Signer, composer, clarinetist and Operation 8 defendant with others at the Adam Concert Rooms, Victoria University Wellington

Thursday 15 Oct, 7pm: Film Screening of 'Tuhoe: a history of resistance' and short films about the October 15th raids at the New Zealand Film Archive, 7pm

Friday 16 Oct, 6pm: Meet the artists and hear about their creative resistance at Thistle Hall

Saturday 17 Oct, 12-4pm: Political screen-printing workshop for youth at Aro Valley Community Hall sponsored by a Creative Communities grant

Saturday 17 Oct, 7pm: AUCTION NIGHT with food, drinks, and all of these amazing works for sale

Sunday 18 October, 1-5pm: Documenting our communities workshop with local filmmakers at Aro Valley Community Hall sponsored by a Creative Communities grant

Featuring: James Robinson | Ngahina Hohaia | Fiona Jack | Louise Menzies | Brett Graham | Shane Hammond | Manu Berry | Graham Jury | Tame Iti | Arlo Edwards | Freeman White | Greg Curline | Kate Logan | Marama Mayrick | Chaz Doherty | Sarah Watson | Rouge Merlot | Chris Schmelz | Rua Pick | Jared Davidson | Lilia Letsch | Mihihea Davies | Rayna Fahey | Roger Morris | Kate Vander Drift | Martin Sullivan | Bryce Galloway | Anna-Claire Hunter | Kahu Scott | Iris Tuiono | Vanessa Cameron-Lewis | Clare Havell | Terri TeTai | Isabelle Gauthier | Challen Wilson | Belle Murphy | Chanz Mikaere | Heleyni Pratley | Gil Hanley | Tao Wells | Reuben Moss | Charlotte Graham | Grant McDonagh | Mark Jerkovich

Kind regards, Francie, Explosive Expression, October 15th Solidarity

Youtube video for the up coming Explosive Expression Art Exhibition & Auction in support of the the people affected by the 2007 raids. Spread far and wide! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBUVa_bp3n8

100,000 AUCKLANDERS AGAINST CHANGING FREE PARKING FROM 6PM TO 10PM

Ok, The Auckland City Council is simply retarded. First they want to remove all the billboards in the City, now they're going to make taxpayers pay for 4 more hours of parking. There are no other explanations except they have marshmallows for brains. Join this group and make them realise how retarded they are! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134009343026 Recent news: http://blogs.nzherald.co.nz/blog/your-views/2009/9/4/will-new-parking-charges-kill-cbd-night/?c_id=1501154

WHAT'S ON IN AUCKLAND

Thursday, October 1, 7.30pm, Socialist Centre, 86 Princes St, Onehunga A Socialist Worker Forum, with Green MP Sue Bradford and UNITY editor Daphne Lawless. The forum is part of the Bad Banks campaign.About the campaign:The operations of the Big Four Aussie-owned banks, ANZ National Bank, BNZ, Westpac and ASB, are harmful to the lives of grassroots Kiwis.The Bad Banks campaign has been initiated by Socialist Worker. We welcome other groups and individuals producing their own publicity that targets the banksThe initial thrust of the campaign will be educational, building towards campaign demands that reflect a dialogue between broad left activists and grassroots people.For more info, visit http://www.badbanks.co.nz/ Phone: 096343984. Email: svpl@xtra.co.nz

Saturday, October 3, 2pm, QEII Square, Customs Street and Queen Street intersection, outside Downtown Shopping Centre.
Rally for Justice and Peace in Palestine, come and support justice and peacebased on an end to 40 years of Israeli Occupation of the West Bank and GazaStrip (including East Jerusalem), the right of return for Palestinian refugees,sharing Jerusalem, vacating all settlement colonies in Israeli occupiedPalestine, and stopping Israel's annexation / apartheid wall in occupiedPalestine. Starts 2pm, Organised by the Palestine Human Rights Campaign, formore information contact email or goto this web site.

October 7-8, Manurewa Marae, 81 Finlayson Ave, Manurewa,South Auckland
NA TA TATOU ROUROU - With Our Baskets the Children Will Prosper - Ahui to build activism to end child poverty in Aotearoa. For registrationdetails see the CPAG website at www.cpag.org.nz
Hui speakers: The following speakers/presenters have confirmed theirparticipation. Di Grennell, Family violenceprevention worker from Northland will talk about her experience of communitybased violence prevention programmes; Teuila Percival, Apaediatrician at Kidz First Children's Hospital in South Auckland will discussthe health needs of poor children & the challenges we face in addressingthese; John Minto, Teacher and trade unionist will discussequity in education; Shirley Maihi, Manurewa Primary schoolprincipal will talk about her progress in building community around a Decile1school; Peter Sykes, Social worker from Mangere will discussthe role of community based social work in meeting the needs of poorcommunities & alienated youth; Paul Blair, Welfareadvocate from the Rotorua Peoples Advocacy Centre will discuss his communityactivism as a welfare and ACC advocate; Nikki Turner, Generalpractitioner, university senior lecturer & member of CPAG executive willdiscuss ways in which we can move toward community based health practice;Taz Harrison, Musician & television producer will talkabout the role of music in social activism; Susan St John,Associate Professor of Economics, University of Auckland & CPAG Executivemember will discuss welfare alternatives

Thursday, October 1, 9am, Ellerslie Convention Centre, EllerslieRacecourse
PICKET TELECOM’s AGM - All workers, their families and supporters, gatherto send Telecom the message: WORK RIGHTS ARE OUR RIGHT — WE STAND UP TOCORPORATE BULLIES

Friday, October 9, 8.30pm, Academy Theatre, Lorne St,CBD
Pakiwis are proud to bring you: Khuda Kay Liye (In the name of God) - Afundraising event for the displaced people of Pakistan. Khuda Kay Liye is afilm about the difficult situation in which Pakistanis in particular and theMuslims in general are caught up in since 9/11. There is a war going on betweenthe fundamentalists and the liberal Muslims. This situation is creating a driftnot only between the Western world and the Muslims but also within the Muslimcommunity. (Source: www.inthenameofgod.com) All funds raised from the ticketproceeds will go to Pakistan Rising, a not for profit organization made of upmembers of civil society. Since the recent tensions of terrorism in SwatValley, Pakistan Rising has been closely working with the hundreds of displacedPakistanis. For more information on Pakistan Rising visit -http://www.pakistanrising.com.pk/index.html. You can also join Pakistan Risingon facebook. Come and watch a powerful film, and hear more from fantasticspeakers around the current and future projections of the situation inPakistan. Disclaimer: Pakiwis will not be selling tickets through Academy tosave costs. If you would like to purchase tickets please contact Naveed Hamidon 021 298 2343 or me 021 286 5426 . Tickets $15. We will not be sellingtickets on the day.

Saturday, October 10, 9.30am-3.15pm, Room 018, Clocktower Bldg No.105, 22 Princes St, The University of Auckland
Dialogues with Islam.This Continuing Education seminar will explore and discussmany aspects of Islamic religion and culture and the challenges to be faced.The diverse topics will include Islam's relationship to the West, post SuhartoIndonesia, Muslim feminist issues, human rights and the role of "moderate"Muslims. There will be the opportunity for discussion and debate at the end ofthe morning and afternoon sessions. Presenters: Mohsen Al Attar, Zain Ali,Ghazala Anwar, Tim Behrend, Shahlaa al Tiay. Class no: 47967; Fee:$75/$25student/ unwaged. To enrol ph:0800 864 266 or visit our website: www.cce.auckland.ac.nz

Sunday, October 11, 2-4pm, Alberton House, Kerr-Taylor St, MtAlbert
High Pay EquiTea at Alberton. Please join us at Alberton House. We will hearfrom Hon Professor Margaret Wilson, DCNZM about the crucial importance of PayEquity and why we are talking about women’s issues...again! ScrumptiousHigh Tea and access to Alberton house and gardens included in the charge of $30waged and $20 unwaged. We look forward to seeing you all there! Please RSVP toArna Metcalfe on 027 672 8148 or at arnametcalfe@xnet.co.nz or PamNuttall at pam.nuttall@xtra.co.nzMrs Kerr-Taylor was a leading Auckland suffragist, so her former house is afitting setting for a rally for Pay Equity and a renewal of activism on issuesaffecting women. Any proceeds will go to support present and future Labourwomen candidates for Parliament and local government

Tuesday,October 13, 6.30-9pm, Room 018, Clocktower Bldg 105, 22Princes St, The University of Auckland.
From Growth to Development: Alternative Measures of Success, Ross McDonald andRod Oram - How do we measure progress in our communities or nations? Doeseconomic growth equal success? This Continuing Education seminar will exploresome of the leading alternatives that are emerging globally and their potentialto guide us forward towards more secure, sustainable and happy modes ofcollective development. In addition this seminar will identify more relevantmeasures of growth that apply at a corporate level. Presenters: Ross McDonaldis an award-winning teacher at The University of Auckland Business School, histeaching focuses on ethical issues, and the relationship between businessfunctioning and social outcomes. His current research activities centre on therelationship between economic growth and well-being, particularly in thecontext of Bhutan, a Himalayan country that has declared Gross NationalHappiness (and not Gross National Product) to be its national development goal.Rod Oram has more than 30 years' experience as an international financialjournalist. He has worked in Europe and North America for publications such asthe Financial Times of London. Class no: 48142; Fee: $35/ $15 student/unwaged.To enrol ph:0800 864 266 or visit our website: http://www.cce.auckland.ac.nz

Saturday, October 17, 3pm, Mt Albert War Memorial Hall, 775 NewNorth Road, Mt Albert, Auckland
AUCKLAND HUMAN RIGHTS NETWORK FORUM - IMPRISONMENT AND IMPUNITY IN SRI LANKAHUMAN RIGHTS IGNORED. There will be a panel of speakers, a film and discussion,and food stalls. For more information contact Joan Macdonald joanmac@pl.net ph 360 8001 or Nirupa George vyjp.info@gmail.com This function isbeing held for United Nations Day 24 October and supported by the Human RightsCommission

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SUPPORT THE LOCKED OUT OCC WORKERS
Collections of money and or non perishable food items and foodvouchers are needed to enable the 36 workers to succeed in keeping Talley's"low road" model out of the dairy industry. -Monetary donations can be bankeddirect to "Solidarity Fund" Bank of New Zealand - #02 0320 0082084 026 -Supermarket vouchers (Countdown is the closest supermarket) Food iterms canalso be dropped at the Hamilton Trade Union Centre 34 Harwood St. - The picketis located outside the Open Country Cheese plant at Waharoa just north ofMatamata on the main Auckland to Rotorua/Tauranga highway (27). Please contactMark Apiata Wade (021 939 634) prior to visiting to ensure timing of visit.Open Country Cheese Update http://www.nzdwu.org.nz/

IUF online campaign against Open Country is now live. Go to www.iuf.org/ To send a message to Open CountryCheese go to http://www.iuf.org/cgi-bin/campaigns/show_campaign.cgi?c=433

URGENT APPEAL TO NEW ZEALANDERS FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TOPHILIPPINE FLOOD VICTIMS
Last Saturday, 26 September, Typhoon Ondoy heavily flooded the Philippines. Todate, the death toll reached 100, others remain missing and tens of thousandswere left homeless. Many are crying out for drinking water, food and clothing.Migrante Aotearoa New Zealand and Migrante chapters around the world are nowappealing to compatriots and friends to gather financial donations for thevictims. Migrante International (Manila-based office) is also currentlyassisting Overseas Filipino Workers who have difficulties reaching theirfamilies in the Philippines. If you have friends who need assistance pleaseprovide us a list of relatives/friends you need to check. The victims need allthe help they can get in the face of inadequate government resources andpersonnel. For those who can send financial assistance, we encourage you todonate through the Migrant Action Trust (MAT). You can get 1/3 back of yourdonation as rebate since the MAT is a registered charity. Donate at ASB AccountNo. 12 -3077-0509589-00. We enjoin all Filipino organisations and communitiesas well as friends in New Zealand to support this cause. It will certainly takea long time for the homeless families especially those who lost loved ones torecover from this tragedy. Your generous support to ease their sufferings willbe greatly appreciated. Please notify us via migrante@xtra.co.nz when you havesent donation. Thank you very much. Dennis Maga, National Coordinator, MigranteAotearoa New Zealand

SUPPORT LETTER OPPOSING SOUTH AFRICAN EVICTIONS
Kia ora everyone, I'd urge you all to take acton to sign this letterto Jacob Zuma. I visited Kennedy Road (a shack settlement near the heart ofDurban) earlier this year and was deeply impressed with the local communityorganisation led by Abahlahli baseMjondolo (Dwellers in the shacks). Thecommuniity is now under attack with 13 reported dead after a gang associatedwith the local ANC attacked yesterday and police turned a blind eye. Pleasecirculate this note widely. Regards, John Minto. To sign, please visit:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/9/an-open-letter-to-jacob-zuma
For updates on the situation in Kennedy Road, visit
http://www.abahlali.org/ Sekwanele! - http://antieviction.org.za/

HOW TO APPLY FOR YOUR SIS FILE If you think that the SISmight have, or had, a file on you, than all you need to do is to write to:Director, NZ Security Intelligence Service, Box 900, Wellington and ask. Theydon’t do e-mail. As you’re applying for personal information underthe Privacy Act, it is free. But be prepared for a very long wait for anyresponse

"EXPLOSIVE EXPRESSION"- CREATIVE RESISTANCE TO THESTATE TERROR RAIDS OF OCTOBER '07. "ART EXHIBITION ANDAUCTION."
Art Auction - 7pm, Saturday 17 October, Thistle Hall, Wellington - or bidonline at http://www.october15thsolidarity.info/artauctionFor those in Wellington, there is a week of events (Tues 13 - Sun 18 Oct)commemorating the 2007 'terror raids'. These include the Exhibition Openingwith Tame Iti, political music, a screening of the film 'Tuhoe: a history ofresistance' and two free workshops on screenprinting and documentary making.For more info check out http://www.october15thsolidarity.info/The 'Operation 8' raids on houses in Te Urewera and around Aotearoa targetedindigenous rights, environmental, anti-war and union activists. 18 people stillface politically motivated charges. Funds raised will support those affected bythe raids.

HAMMER THE POKIES: MORE HAMMERS NEEDED!
Thanks for the positive responses to the appeal for people to join thecampaign. We won't be calling for action in the short term as we need to buildnumbers much higher. This campaign aims to enlist a minimum of 200 hammers(with people attached!) and take civil disobedience action to drive pokiemachines out of our neighbourhood communities. 80% of the cases of gamblingaddiction relate to pokie machines in the community (aside from casinos) Theseare parasites on poverty and predominate in low-income areas of the country.They have to go. If you are prepared to join a crowd (min 200) and take civildisobedience action against pokie machines then please email John Minto jbminto@xtra.co.nz or Phone 8463173.

INVITATION TO JOIN MARCH ON GAZA, JA/1/2010. GAZA SHALL NOTDIE
Imagine hundreds of thousands of peaceful international and Palestinianmarchers, led by Noam Chomsky, Ralph Nader, Diana Buttu, Norman Finkelstein,Noami Klein, Arun Gandhi, George Galloway, and other prominent opponents of thesiege. Imagine them, approaching the Erez crossing under the eyes of theinternational media, breaking the siege for once and for all. This is the GazaFreedom March! The Gaza Freedom March Campaign plans to take thousands ofinternational marchers to Gaza on Jan. 1, 2010, and challenge once and for allthe Israeli blockade at the Erez crossing Go with them, or support someoneelse who's willing to go. Events to raise money to help enable people to go onthe March in Gaza are planned throughout the Fall. This group has many sistergroups, to enable each group to have a local focus for organizing, and to avoidexceeding Facebook's limit of 5000 for messaging group members. Please join theappropriate campaign group which is best targeted to your locale. All FB groupswill be updated with the latest information. Please invite all your friends tothis or the appropriate other FaceBook group. This Campaign needs the supportof hundreds of thousands around the world! http://gazafreedommarch.org/article.php?id=5063International Movement to Open Rafah Border intmorb@googlemail.com

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE TELECOM WORKERS
How can I help? You can: - Call 0900 STAND TALL to make a $10 donationto the support fund.
- Make a donation at any BNZ branch or by online transfer to this account:02-0568-0177685-00, Reference: Telco
- Start fundraising on your site for more information call 0800 1 UNION.
- Email Telecom CEO Paul Reynolds (the $5 million dollar man) at paul.reynolds@telecom.co.nz totell him to get Visionstream to come to the table.
- Show your support by ringing talkback, talking to your friends and workmatesand writing letters to the editor about this dispute and what it means for Kiwiworkers. For more information you can visit the campaign site here http://www.epmu.org.nz/telecom

CALLING ALL NEW ZEALANDERS: JOIN THE NEXT SOLIDARITY BRIGADE TOVENEZUELA! DECEMBER 1-9, 2009
Organised by the Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network.Venezuela’s Bolivarian revolution led by President Hugo Chavez is shakingup global politics and inspiring millions of ordinary people with the evidencethat a better – a peaceful, democratic and socially just – world ispossible.
* Whereas in Australia and Aotearoa, public health, education andinfrastructure is being run down or privatised, in Venezuela, major industriesare being nationalised and put under workers’ control, and universalaccess to health, education and social welfare is now guaranteed.
* Whereas in Australia and Aotearoa, workers are being sacked, and wages andconditions are being eroded under the guise of “weathering” theeconomic crisis, in Venezuela, wages are increasing, and union membership andorganisation is growing.
The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network-organised brigades to Venezuela area unique opportunity to see an unfolding revolution first-hand. The AVSN warmlywelcomes the participation of New Zealanders on the brigades. Participants inthe December 1-9, 2009, brigade will visit worker-controlled factories andcooperatives, free public education and health programs, and community mediaoutlets. They will observe “popular power” at work in communalcouncils, and speak to a range of grassroots organisations, unions andgovernment representatives about the radical changes being implemented by theVenezuelan people.
The AVSN has organised nine solidarity brigades to Venezuela, involving morethan 165 participants. These study/solidarity tours are inspiring experiences,providing an opportunity to observe and understand why Venezuela’s goalof creating “socialism of the 21st century’’ is transformingthe world.
Brigade organisation and costs: The deadline for registering for the December2009 brigade to Venezuela is October 31, 2009. Participants will need to booktheir own international airfares, but the brigade organisers can help withadvice. Accommodation, transport and English translation within Venezuela willbe organised for brigade participants. You will need to budget for a total costof approximately $4000. This includes: international return airfare and taxes;accommodation (twin-share basis); transport and food in Venezuela; and thebrigade registration fee ($500 for workers, $300 for full-time students orpensioners). Reports and photos from previous AVSN brigades are posted at http://www.venezuelasolidarity.org.For more information, please email brigades@venezuelasolidarity.org

27TH SOUTHERN CROSS BRIGADE TO CUBA
"A better world is possible": The Cuban people have proven that thereis another way. ICAP (the Cuban Institute for Friendship between Peoples)provides, through its Brigades, the opportunity for people from all over theworld to experience and participate in the Cuban revolutio.

What does the Brigade entail?
Join the Southern Cross work/study tour and support Cuba in the mostdirect manner by working (picking fruit or pruning fruit trees, etc) and thenvisiting schools, hospitals, urban agriculture projects, etc You willexperience at first hand the cultural, political and social conditions inrevolutionary Cuba. This year we will be having a closer look at Cuba’sinnovative approaches to the environment and climate change. Children arewelcome on this tour as are older participants. Our Cuban hosts take great careof visitors of all ages. The main features of the Brigade include:
* Talks on various aspects of conditions in Cuba given by prominent Cubanspeakers;
* Working with Cubans;
* Visits to places of interest (eg schools, hospitals, factories);
* Opportunities to explore Havana independently;
* Visits to provincial centres;* Homestays and visit to Las Tunas Province

Unbeatable value – $1000. (Includes: All meals, accommodation,excursions and transportation in Cuba during program). Not included:
- Air travel to Cuba - get in early to book your flights! (Check out Aerolineasfor cheap flights. There are now also weekly flights with Continental from LosAngeles to Havana.)
- Compulsory travel insurance
- Any additional nights stay in Cuba prior to commencement of the Brigade orfollowing the conclusion of the program (prior to the flight home). Inexpensiveaccommodation is available – opportunity for independent tourism

Contacts: NZ Paul Maunder (03) 732 4010 email wkcultur@ihug.co.nz; InaLawrence (09) 303 1755 email inashina@clear.net.nz Australia RobertCooper – National Coordinator of the 27th Southern Cross Brigade –0408 624 629, email robert@conceptis.com.au or write toPO Box 6139 Kingston ACT 2604.

WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST JANUARY 22-24, 2010
The Waihopai spybase was dragged into the public spotlight inApril 2008 when three Ploughshares peace activists penetrated its high securityand deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZpublic. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent directaction anti-war activity (which is yet to come to trial). The public face ofNew Zealand’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence inAfghanistan. But New Zealand’s most significant contribution to that, andother American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai electronicintelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. Itis controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the PrimeMinister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control.
First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by New Zealand’s GovernmentCommunications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powersgrouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares globalelectronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US,UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes intercepta huge volume of civilian telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computerdata communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards thematerial on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the USNational Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international civiliancommunications involving New Zealanders, including the interception ofinternational phone calls. Post- 9/11 the GCSB and Waihopai now spy furtherafield, to those regions where the US is waging wars. The codename for this– Echelon – has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of itsspying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior part of aglobal spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its ownconstituent agencies, not governments, not citizens.
Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared forroughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians butvegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent,torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires.
How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north ofBlenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Followthe steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the WhitesBay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABChas to pay a fixed charge per head.
This will be the first Waihopai spybase protest since the Domebusters’courageous 2008 citizens’ deflation action. Waihopai does not operate inthe interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreignspybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in America’s wars. Waihopaimust be closed.

Register to take part in the protest ($40 waged / $20 unwaged). Writre to:CLOSE THE WAIHOPAI SPYBASE NOW! Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box2258, Christchurch. E-mail cafca@chch.planet.org.nz www.converge.org.nz/abcMake all cheques to ABC

NOMINATIONS FOR 2009 ROGER AWARD
Nominations are now open for the 2009 Roger Award for the Worst TransnationalCorporation Operating in Aotearoa/New Zealand, which is organised the CampaignAgainst Foreign Control of Aotearoa and GATT Watchdog. You can download thenomination form (in either Word or PDF) from http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/index.htmlNominations close on October 31, 2009 Send your nomination to: The RogerAward, Box 2258, Christchurch; e-mail cafca@chch.planet.org.nz

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"Don't rejoice in his defeat, you men. Although the world stood up andstopped the Bastard, the Bitch that bore him is in heat again."—Bertolt Brecht (05/05/1945)

"Each of the Iraqi children killed by the United States was our child. Eachof the prisoners tortured in Abu Ghraib was our comrade. Each of their screamswas ours. When they were humiliated, we were humiliated. The U.S. soldiersfighting in Iraq - mostly volunteers in a poverty draft from small towns andpoor urban neighborhoods - are victims just as much as the Iraqis of the samehorrendous process, which asks them to die for a victory that will never betheirs": Arundhati Roy - Source: Arundhati Roy, "Tide? OrIvory Snow? Public Power in the Age of Empire," 8/24/04

BEST ONTHE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Lawless starts peace march http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10600014

The Pay Equity Challenge Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZI4Ob32lYY

"New defence policy delivered to Minister An anti-war protest crashedAssociate Minister of Defence Heather Roys consultation meeting over the newdefence policy in Upper Hutt last night. Four women interrupted Heather Roysspeech to demand an end to New Zealands involvement in Afghanistan." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkccWU2Z5tg

ECONOMIC CRISIS

Learning from ALBA and the Bank of the South Challenges and PossibilitiesMartin Hart-Landsberg http://monthlyreview.org/090901hart-landsberg.php

Form, not Substance, Expected from G 20 Summit in Pittsburgh http://focusweb.org/form-not-substance-expected-from-g-20-summit-in-pittsburgh.html?Itemid=1

FEATURES

HOW TO REALLY FIGHT ANTI-SEMITISM - By Suzanne Weiss. The struggle againstracism is indivisible. Discrimination against Palestinians, or Muslims, orArabs reinforces racism as a whole and thus encourages anti-Semitism. http://www.socialistvoice.ca/?p=638

Video: Anti-G20 protests for people and planet before profits - Thethree-part video below was produced by Inter-Press Service. It featuresinterviews and footage of the protests against the Group of 20 Summit inPittsburgh in the United States over September 24-25. The protests wereorganised by a coalition of union, environmentalist, Church, socialist andother organisations. http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/812/41788

Is Democracy Melting? By Arundhati Roy http://www.countercurrents.org/roy280909.htm

REVIEWS

Book casts new light on Palestine's ethnic cleansing - In recent years, agrowing number of accounts of the 1948 war have corrected and exposed thefounding myths of Israel, including claims by its leaders that the Palestinianpeople did not exist or were invented. The latest addition to this genre isindependent scholar Rosemarie M. Esber's meticulously documented history Underthe Cover of War: The Zionist Expulsion of the Palestinians. http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article10799.shtml

Unions Must Move Left, They Have No Alternative - Reviewed: SolidarityDivided by Bill Fletcher, Jr. and Fernando Gapasin,(Berkeley: University ofCalifornia Press, 2008), 324 pages, $17.95, paper http://monthlyreview.org/090928bacon.php

FOOD, FARMING AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The Population Myth - People who claim that population growth is the bigenvironmental issue are shifting the blame from the rich to the poor http://www.monbiot.com/archives/2009/09/29/the-population-myth

AFGHANISTAN

Prisoner Abuse Continues at Bagram Prison in Afghanistan: The facility makesGuantanamo look like a "nice hotel," in the words of one military prosecutor.http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,650242,00.html

AUSTRALIA

John Pilger: Australia’s role in the Balibo killings http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/812/41744

BOLIVIA

CHINA

People's Republic of China at 60: socialist revolution, capitalistrestoration http://links.org.au/taxonomy/term/404

HONDURAS

(Updated Sept. 27) Insurrection in Honduras: Resistance Front says ‘wewon't rest until victory’ http://links.org.au/node/1263

IRAN

The U.S. and Iran: A Manufactured Crisis Part 1: The Facts of the Matter http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/09/the-u-s-and-iran-a-manufactured-crisis/

The Lying Game By John Pilger - Iran's crime is its independence. Havingthrown out America's favourite tyrant, Shah Reza Pahlavi, Iran remains the onlyresource-rich Muslim state beyond US control. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article23597.htm

U.S. Story on Iran Nuke Facility Doesn't Add Up By Analysis by Gareth Porter- The story line that dominated media coverage of the second Iranian uraniumenrichment facility last week was the official assertion that U.S. intelligencehad caught Iran trying to conceal a "secret" nuclear facility. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article23594.htm

ITALY

"Modern slave" migrants toil in Italy's tomato fields: - After crossing halfof Africa and surviving a perilous boat trip from Libya in search of a betterlife in Italy, Boubacar Bailo is now contemplating suicide. http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE58R1TW20090928

PALESTINE

Exclusive: Hamas leader interview by Ken Livingstone http://www.newstatesman.com/middle-east/2009/09/israel-palestinian-hamas

The Tel Aviv Party Stops Here By Naomi Klein http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090928/klein

PALESTINE SOLIDARITY VICTORIES ALARM PRO-ISRAEL LOBBY http://www.socialistvoice.ca/?p=634

Countering Benjamin Netanyahou's Orwellian Spin at the UN http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/TPV3/Voices.php/2009/09/30/countering-benjamin-netanyahou-s-orwelli

PHILIPPINES

The Manila Floods: Why Wasn't the City Prepared? http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1926646,00.html

TIMORE LESTE

The struggle for full independence — 10 years on http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/812/41743

UK

New Labour, not just Brown, is to blame for this car crash - Another coupattempt is being prepared against the prime minister – and a bogusexplanation for Labour's expected defeat http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/sep/23/new-labour-gordon-brown-election

USA

Police Use Painful New Weapon on G20 Protesters - This technology has beendeployed in Iraq as an "anti-insurgent weapon" -- it could easily be used as atorture tool. http://fineurl.com/caag

35 Million Americans on Food Stamps: 12 Percent of U.S. Population on FoodStamps Highest Since Records Kept in 1969. http://fineurl.com/ay6i

Top 1% got 2/3 of all U.S. income gains - 2002-07: Gap between top 1% andbottom 90% now worse than at any time since 1928. http://www.nupge.ca/node/2544

VENEZUELA

Economic Crisis Sparks New Measures and Structures by Federico Fuentes http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/fuentes260909.html

ends

© Scoop Media