GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER #52, January 22, 2004

Website http://www.gpja.pl.net/ Contact details: Forums - John Minto, (09) 846 3173, jbminto@xtra.co.nz; Newsletter Editor - Mike Treen 0212547440 / 3616989 miket@pl.net Web page - Geraldine Peters (09) 3765994 bern@ihug.co.nz Donations can be sent to GPJA, Private Bag 68905, Newton, Auckland. All communication regarding the GPJA mailing list (email or snail) should be addressed to gpja@xtra.co.nz

Dear friends,

2004 FUND APPEAL.

GPJA doesn't often appeal for funds through the newsletter but we are making a special appeal to start 2004 so we can build up a fund to meet the challenges and opportunities we face. Please send a donation to GPJA, PRIVATE BAG 68905, NEWTON, AUCKLAND. If you can make a small monthly donation email Brian at vandam@math.auckland.ac.nz and he will send an AP form.

A WIN FOR BRUCE HUBBARD

It's great to announce a victory to start the new year ­ the police decision to drop all charges against GPJA activist Bruce Hubbard for allegedly sending an "offensive" email to the US Embassy. The Police conceded they lacked the standard of proof required for a conviction. Bruce's lawyer, Rodney Harrison QC, pointed out that that should have been obvious much earlier, that Bruce was appalled at the continuing prosecution and that Bruce will be seeking costs. Despite this victory the very fact the prosecution was started and the harassment of Bruce continued for some months was a warning to all Peace and Justice activists as to the lengths the rulers will go to silence its critics. Democratic rights need to be defended continually to be effective.

GPJA FORUM MONDAY FEBRUARY 2

The first GPJA forum of 2004 has a special guest - Sue Newberry from Christchurch - explaining how financial management systems are manipulated to promote more market reforms and privatisation. She will also look at the Public Finance (State Sector Management) Bill that was tabled in parliament in early December. Sue Newberry is a senior lecturer at the University of Canterbury, with a research interest in public sector financial management reforms which are an integral part of world trade developments. She has published research on health-related aspects of the reforms; on the debilitating effects of the accounting and budgeting system operated at central government level; on the many biases and distortions in the system, including those that favour PPPs; and on the way in which accounting developments help to conceal those biases. Internationally, she is involved in research on PPPs and public sector developments with colleagues in both Australia and the UK, and is an invited speaker at the University of Sydney' s PPPs forum in December 2003.

GLOBAL PEACE CELEBRATION FEB 14-15.

Some music, film and fun to celebrate the global antiwar protests last year. See below for details.

ANTIWAR ACTION MARCH 20

Peace and Justice groups in New Zealand agreed to join the international call for action on March 20. The plan was endorsed by activists at the Waihopai spybase protests near Blenheim in January. Internationally it became a focus of the World Social Forum in Mumbai. (See Below)

ANTI SPYBASE PROTEST ­ WAIHOPAI

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2786642a11,00.html

http://www.indymedia.org.nz/front.php3?article_id=14411&group=webcast

http://www.indymedia.org.nz/front.php3?article_id=14412&group=webcast

4TH WORLD SOCIAL FORUM

http://www.wsfindia.org/ Worldwide march against the war convened for March 20 http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2004/enero/mier21/4foro-i.html

TOM HAYDEN REPORTS FROM THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM

Developing countries at the WSF are saying no to Washington's agenda. http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=17593 The war in Iraq has prompted a peace movement heavily influenced by the anti-globalization analysis of the World Social Forum. http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=17595

WHATS ON IN AUCKLAND

Sunday, January 25, Socialist Centre, 86 Princes St, Onehunga. (Princes St runs east off the south end of The Mall, Onehunga's main street.)

LISTENING PARTY.

The "listening party" is to listen to Radio Guerilla over the Internet, giving a live broadcast of an historic mass convention in London to set up Respect - an extremely broad, radical left coalition being established in England & Wales to oppose NewLabour's support for corporate imperialism. Attending the Respect convention will be expelled Labour MP George Galloway, radical ecologist George Monbiot, socialist film-maker Ken Loach, Stop the War convenor Lindsay German, Muslim anti-war activist Salma Yaqoob, union leaders like Bob Crow and Linda Smith, Socialist Alliance rep John Rees and a host of activists from across the union, social, environmental, anti-racist and left movements. For the first time, a truly broad left alternative to Blair's NewLabour is in the process of being established around a hard-hitting programme that brings together radicals and revolutionaries. It will be the biggest radical left unity convention in Britain for generations, and could give an impetus to similar happenings elsewhere in the world, including New Zealand. For your info, Radio Guerilla can be found at http://www.radioguerrilla.net/. Grant Morgan, Socialist Worker secretary, gcm@actrix.gen.nz, 634 4432 (days & evenings)

Tuesday, January 27, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Auckland

SOCIALIST FROM LONDON SPEAKS.

Peter Hughes, a National Committee member of the Socialist Workers Party in Britain, is visiting our town. He is speaking at a Socialist Worker forum on...THE RISING MASS CHALLENGE TO BLAIR's NEWLABOUR. All leftists are welcome. Please forward to others who may be interested. Hosted by Socialist Worker. Contact Grant Morgan 634 4432 or gcm@actrix.gen.nz

Monday, February 2, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn GPJA FORUM with Sue Newberry (see above), Some planning for March 20

Tuesday, February 3, 7pm, Methodist Mission opposite the Auckland Town Hall, Queen St "HEADS IN THE SAND": a public forum on the issues surrounding the seabed and foreshore Speakers Syd Jackson and Jane Kelsey will cover,

· historical background information on the current situation

· a Maori perspective on the negotiations

· the foreshore issue in the international context

· a labour perspective

A discussion time will follow for people to put forward their questions and thoughts on the issues. Hosted by Arena. For more information phone 021 422 500, 021 757 579 or contact kunawheke@hotmail.com

Saturday, February 7, 2-3pm, Aotea Square, Queen St. Palestine/Israel Rally for Peace, supporting peace and justice based on Removal of Israeli Occupation, Right of Return for Refugees, Sharing Jerusalem and Cessation of Jewish only Settlements in occupied Palestine. For more info contact David Wakim tel (09) 520 0201

Saturday, February 14, 9pm ­Late, Khuja Lounge, with "Saturday Love" Sunday, February 15, 7pm-late, Classic Cinema, Queen St, City, ANTIDOTE #6, GLOBAL, and all participating groups and performers invite you to be a part of an International initiative involving events around the world. This two-day event in Auckland is to celebrate the anniversary of the global peace protest of 15th February '03, where millions marched side by side. Two of Auckland's most respected venues are the locations for a weekend of celebrations. With a truly varied mix of performers and participants there will be no genre untapped.

The Khuja Lounge, (khuja meaning melting pot in Arabic) is the perfect place to celebrate the first of these two nights with its laid back friendly atmosphere, which welcomes everybody. ŒSaturday Love' resident (Mr. Peaceful) DJ Manuel Bundy + special guest Sola Rosa, "Over-flowing with infectious, creative rhythms and beatsŠ. ŠSola Rosa will take you on a journey through the world of sound". These two conscious minded individuals create their own inspirational vibe whilst surrounded by visual projections and graffiti artwork from Mars and Disruptiv respectively.

The Classic continues proceedings with Indymedia's ŒAntidote #6', informative and inspirational film screenings that always lead to much debate. Live musical performances, guest MC / comedian Jeremy Elwood "...indefinable comedic magic..." - nzoom.com, NZ, and award winning photographic stills by John Miller. With political satire and some of KFM's finest DJ's to complete the celebrations. Visual projection artist will be continuing where they left off on Saturday accompanying the nights live acts and Disruptiv artwork will be on sale (proceeds going to the event).

GLOBAL is an innovative event that will provide Greenpeace, Amnesty International, Global Peace & Justice Auckland, (GPJA) and the Burmese community of Auckland the opportunity to reflect our common interests. Where inequality is obsolete and EQUAL RIGHTS = PEACE. GPJA key organizers of last years march will be calling all to unite again to demonstrate on the 20th March '04. The demand is not only to end the occupation of Iraq, but also, to return all N.Z. Troops home safely. A special ŒPeace Not War' double CD launch is another highlight and will be available on both nights. Listen to KFM 106.8 for a BIG taster. Artist include, Public Enemy, Ani Difranco, Massive Attack + more. Previously unreleased in N.Z. All profits from GLOBAL go to participating groups.

So what better way to share a little love on Valentines weekend? Tickets will be $10.00 for each night, available on the door. An exclusive HIGH ROLLERS supporter Ticket is also available in advance. Priced @ $80, this will allow you, and 3 Friends access to both nights with a complimentary bottle of wine from, Lothareah organic winery. (Contact Tony Martin, details below)

"Please Use Your Liberty to Promote Ours" Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, under house arrest in Burma Contact: Tony Martin 0211559875 ­ 3780269

Monday, February 16, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn GPJA Organising committee meeting. All welcome.

SATURDAY MARCH 20 is the GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST WAR AND OCCUPATION

and marks the anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. The day has been adopted as a focus of activity by peace groups throughout New Zealand. Put it in your diary today. We will be marching at 12 noon from the bottom of Queen St to the Town Hall for a rally.

MESSAGES

NEW RED AND GREEN

Issue 2 of "Red and Green - the New Zealand journal of left alternatives" is now available. The first issue was a great and timely look at war and economic globalisation, but issue 2 focuses on the state of affairs much closer to home. It's titled "Facing Poverty" and costs $10. It can be ordered from Private Bag 68 905, Newton, Auckland, or picked up at the Unite office, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd. Articles include:

'Inequality and Poverty in Aotearoa' - Liz Gordon

'The Children are our Future' - Janet McAllister

'Jobs Jolt Shocks' - Sue Bradford

'Crowding out and crowding in: Housing poverty and the policy of indifference' - Alan Johnson

'Work and life: Union concerns' - Ann Boyd

'Granny Herald: Cheerleader for capitalism' - John Minto

'Denial of Customary Rights: seabeds/foreshores' - Jacinta Ruru

'EXPAND' MAGAZINE,

a collection of work from Christchurch activists and writers. Mail-order by sending $5 postage and packaging to Expand mail-order, PO Box 1913, Christchurch.

NEW ZEALAND "BIG BROTHER" AWARDS

Presented by the Auckland Council for Civil Liberties. Nominations have opened for the first New Zealand 'Big Brother Awards' for people and organisations that have been outstanding in their abuse or disregard of civil liberties in New Zealand. The awards were presented at a function hosted by the Auckland Council for Civil Liberties in March 2004. Nominations close on Friday 20 February 2004. (Nomination details below) The award ceremony is in the nature of a spoof "Oscars" (or "Orwells"). The events should be good fun, incorporating humour, audience participation, and audio visual support. Award winners attending will be presented with an award certificate to commemorate their achievement. Among the many award categories for bad deeds, below, there are also two positive awards for good works in the service of protection of privacy called the "Smith". The judging panel, which is made up of privacy specialists and advocates, is currently inviting nominations for the eight prizes. Please submit your nominations before Friday 20 February 2004 by posting them to the Auckland Council for Civil Liberties, c/o PO Box 6125, Wellesley Street, Auckland or e-mailing to office@lis.co.nz. Send the message to Auckland Council for Civil Liberties, c/o PO Box 6125, Wellesley Street, Auckland, or to office@lis.co.nz. Nominations received by Friday 20 February 2004 will be forwarded to our panel of judges who will identify winners in each category above, and also the 'People's Choice', the one with the most nominations. CONTACT: Tim McBride, office@lis.co.nz

Latest FOREIGN CONTROL WATCHDOG now online http://www.converge.org.nz/watchdog/04/index04.htm

Latest PEACE RESEARCHER on line. Peace Researcher is the journal of the Anti-Bases Campaign. The latest issue (Number 28, December 2003), can be read online at http://www.converge.org.nz/abc/pr28covr.html Membership/subscription is $20 per year. Overseas subscriptions are: Australia $NZ25; rest of world $NZ30. PR is not registered for GST. Send cheques and all correspondence to: Peace Researcher, Box 2258, ChristchurchAotearoa/New Zealand, e-mail: cafca@chch.planet.org.nz

The latest issue of KAPATIRAN ("SOLIDARITY") is now online at http://www.converge.org.nz/psna/KapNo23/kap23list.htm Kapatiran is the newsletter of the Philippines Solidarity Network of Aotearoa (PSNA). Annual membership of PSNA is $15 (address below). While checking out our newsletter, why not have a look around the site. There are some excellent Links to a number of Philippine progressive groups. PSNA, Philippines Solidarity Network of Aotearoa, Box 2450, Christchurch, New Zealand cafca@chch.planet.org.nz www.converge.org.nz/psna

CASA LATINA.

Hi This is an invitation to visit our site again in its new look, and tell us what you think !! Happy New Year to all of you and your families. ALAC Inc Hola Amigos Los invitamos a visitarnos en nuestro sitio web. A la vez les deseamos un Prospero Ano Nuevo y un Mundo major Sus amigos de ALAC www.casalatinanz.com

NAOMI KLEIN

The Year of the Fake The blacklisting of the almanac was a fitting end for 2003, a year that waged open war on truth and facts and celebrated fakes and forgeries of all kinds. This was the year when fakeness ruled: fake rationales for war, a fake President dressed as a fake soldier declaring a fake end to combat and then holding up a fake turkey. http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20040126&s=klein

NOAM CHOMSKY

DICTATORS R US, AlterNet Selective memory and a convenient 'doctrine of change' allows the US government to forget that it once supported tyrants like Saddam. http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=17435

ARUNDHATI ROY:

Do Turkeys enjoy thanksgiving http://www.hindu.com/2004/01/18/stories/2004011800181400.htm

IRAQ OCCUPATION

New WMD Report Slams Bush White House http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=17522 John Pilger: What they don't want you to know http://pilger.carlton.com/print/133179 100,000 say "Yes to elections, No to Occupation" http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=482907 Rumsfeld backed Hussein even after chemical attacks http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=475931 Kurds turn against US after losing control over oil-rich land http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=483202 British soldiers kick Iraqi prisoner to death http://fairuse.1accesshost.com/news1/fisk10.html Lethal hatreds spread in Iraq's cockpit of violence http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1120518,00.html

INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

A Decade of Rhetoric for Indigenous Peoples http://www.oneworld.ca/article/view/76589/1/983

ANTIWAR MOVIES ONLINE (SHORT) KING ANNIVERSARY ­ A MESSAGE FOR TODAY

Honor the legacy: Watch this inspiring flash movie to commemorate Dr. King's birthday. Spread it around to your friends. http://www.bushflash.com/mlk.html

NUCLEAR WAR, PAST AND PRESENT

This takes a while to load, and is an animated presentation with soundtrack that lasts a few minutes, so only go the site when you have about 5 minutes to spare. It is a powerful piece of work. http://www.bushflash.com/pl_lo.html

US/IRAQ IN A NUTSHELL ­ ONLINE MOVIE

http://www.ericblumrich.com/thanks.html

MURDER FROM THE SKY

A graphic US military video showing the killing of three Iraqi people is being circulated via the web after appearing on US TV news channel ABC News. The one-minute file, filmed from a US Apache helicopter, shows three suspected Iraqi insurgents being shot with 30mm cannon fire. The clip was cut from a longer video obtained by ABC News last week and verified by a senior US army official. Video download (WARNING: some viewers may find this material disturbing): http://www.journalism.co.uk/imagesn/apache.mpeg See also http://more.abcnews.go.com/sections/wnt/US/apache_video_040109.html

CLIMATE CHANGE

'US climate policy bigger threat to world than terrorism' http://news.independent.co.uk/world/environment/story.jsp?story=479418 An unnatural disaster http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,4831449-103690,00.html

PETROPOLITICS

Petropolitics conference report http://www.fpif.org/papers/03petropol/index.html

SOME GOOD FROM 2003

10 good things about a bad year http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=17471

EL SALVADOR

Power struggle in El Salvador http://www.spectrezine.org/global/ElSalvador.htm

WATER AND PRIVATISATION

Profiteers Plunder California's Public Water Resources, New Report Shows http://www.commondreams.org/news2003/1219-01.htm

QUOTE FOR THE DAY

We are the only people on Earth asked to guarantee the security of our occupier ..while Israel is the only country that calls for defense from its victims .." Hanan Ashrawi, August 23, 2003 (in a speech at the Sydney Peace Awards, Hyatt Regency in Garden Grove)

Mike

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