GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER #39, July 1, 2003

Website http://www.gpja.pl.net/ Contact details: Forums - John Minto, (09) 8463173 jbminto@xtra.co.nz; Newsletter Editor - Mike Treen 0212547440 / 3616989 miket@pl.net Web page - Geraldine Peters (09) 3570655 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 gpjamailinglist@xtra.co.nz

Dear friends,

URGENT! URGENT!

Help needed to publicise protest. Please pick up leaflets and posters advertising July 4 action from John Minto's verandah, 84 Paice Ave, Sandringham.

Remember GPJA FORUM this Monday, July 7, on Education (See Below). GPJA Organising committee will meet one week after forum, 7pm, Monday, July 14, Unite Office, ground floor, Trades Hall.

PICKET US CONSULATE THIS FRIDAY, JULY 4, 5.30PM - 6.30PM, OUTSIDE US CONSULATE, CUSTOMS STREET, DOWNTOWN

Every 4th of July, the USA celebrates the anniversary of its independence from British colonial rule while it simultaneously denies freedom to people around the world. Its military forces are occupying Afghanistan and Iraq, while its corporations exploit their resources for private profit. The rhetoric of liberty, freedom and equality was used to propel US armed forces into Iraq. Now that they are there, however, the focus has been on securing oil fields and privatising services and resources, whilst the Iraqi people have been left without basic services like water or security.

EDUCATION IN CUBA

Saturday, July 5, Rationalist House, 64 Symonds St. Auckland City, (opposite top of Wakefield St.) Fund-raising lunch 1pm; Meeting 2pm. $7 waged, $5 unwaged for lunch; donation for meeting.

In 1960, Fidel Castro declared to the United Nations that the new revolutionary government would eliminate illiteracy from Cuba. Soon after, a quarter of a million young volunteers were sent into the countryside to teach a million illiterate peasants to read. Illiteracy fell from 23.6% down to 3.9% by the end of 1962.

Since then Cuba has given education the highest priority. For instance, whereas only three universities existed in 1959, today there are forty. Cuba has also built schools in the country so that students can both study and work on the land. As well, it has begun an effort to get the great works of literature into every home by printing them cheaply, in great number.

We invite you to attend a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Moncada Barracks, which marks the opening of the Cuban revolution, and hear short talks from three teachers from Cuba, including a veteran of the 1961 literacy campaign.

A video on the literacy campaign will screen during lunch. Sponsored by the Auckland New Zealand Cuba Friendship Society, phone Janet, 525-5412 or Malcolm, 276-2054 P.O. Box 6716, Wellesley St.

GPJA FORUM: EDUCATION AND THE DENIAL OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Monday, 7.30pm, July 7, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn This forum challenges the cherished belief that equal opportunity applies for children in our education system. The forum will also point the way forward with practical policy proposals....Speaking briefly will be - Kay Hawke - Massey University - reporting on school projects to improve education outcomes for children in low income communities; David Hawke - reporting on a survey of the effect of "user pays" fees for school qualifications; Alan Johnson - reporting on a survey of the huge social and educational burden of "transience" in low income communities; Janfrie Wakim - reporting on the work of CPAG (Child Poverty Action Group) on education issues; John Minto - National Chair of QPEC (Quality Public Education Coalition)- reports of QPEC initiative to improve education standards and opportunities for all our children.

A NIGHT FOR AUNG SAN SUU KYI

Benefit Show, Friday, July 11, 7.30pm, Grey Lynn Community Centre Burma's democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi is one of the bravest women in the world. As a staunch advocate of non-violent resistance, Daw Suu (as she is known for short) has been standing firm against a brutal military regime for 15 years. She is currently being held incommunicado in Southeast Asia's most notorious and barbaric prison, Insein Jail in Rangoon. Daw Suu has not been allowed access to diplomats or even a change of clothes since the military ambushed her motorcade on May 31st. Reports are coming in daily of jailed, missing, injured and dead supporters of Burma's democracy movement as the latest military crackdown continues despite international outrage.

Nobel peace prize-winner Daw Suu is an inspiration to both the people of Burma and all freedom loving people around the world. We want to let her know she does not stand alone. Proceeds from A Night for Aung San Suu Kyi will be used to fund a postcard campaign sending this image and messages of support back into Burma.

The show lineup will feature musicians, Burmese dance and readings from Voice of Hope, Daw Suu's conversations about life and freedom. The show will be staged in the main hall at the Grey Lynn Community Centre, which seats 200 people. Tickets cost $15 and will be available from July 1st at the Women's Bookshop in Ponsonby Road and Real Groovy Records in Queen St.

A Night for Aung San Suu Kyi is being organised by the Serious Fun Committee. For more information about the night call Jude on 09-3789312 or 025-2411423 For the latest on the situation in Burma, see

Monday, July 14, 7pm, Trades Hall,147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn GPJA ORGANISING COMMITTEE MEETING

Monday, 7.30pm, August 4, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn GPJA FORUM: Turning up the heat: NZs role in September's WTO Ministerial meeting in Cancun. Auckland Launch of ARENA's new booklet on NZ's role in current WTO negotiations.

BEST FROM THE WEB

U.S. Soldiers Face Growing Resistance Attacks in Central Iraq Become More Frequent and Sophisticated http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A37082-2003Jun9¬Found=true

Never Promised You a Ruse Garden -- A Letter from Michael Moore to George W. Bush http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php

Naomi Klein: Downsizing in disguise in Iraq http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20030623&s=klein

The invisible The human cost of the 21st century's first war is already enormous. In addition to those who have died, staggering numbers have been detained around the world in violation of their human rights and international law. Paul Vallely investigates their fate, and asks whether this suspension of due process in the name of defending democracy can ever be justified http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/story.jsp?story=418979

Missing presumed guilty: where terror suspects are being held http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/story.jsp?story=418978

Torture, deportation and imprisonment without trial - tactics used in the 'war against terror' http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/story.jsp?story=418977

Jewish Friends of Palestine: An Online Initiative of Jewish Activists for a Free Palestine http://www.eccmei.net/j/

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