------------#226: Protest Saturday 23rd – Stop The Terror Raids------------

Global Peace And Justice Auckland Newsletter #226, February 22 2008

Kia ora koutou,

PROTEST Saturday 23rd February – Stop the Terror Raids – Aotea Square 12noon.

The protest will be calling for an end to the raids and arrests. The police have had over 18 months to investigate and lay charges. These latest raids and arrests of Tuhoe activists this week – coming four months after the original raids on October 15th 2007 – smack of harassment arising from frustration. We know there is huge reservoir of resentment within the police operation at the failure of the original arrests to result in terrorism charges against the political activists who were arrested. The simple truth is that there was never any credible terrorist threat and the original raids were a dramatic over-reaction on the part of police. It is hard to see the latest arrests as anything more than a nasty, vindictive follow-up.

FORWARD Kindly forward this newsletter to your friends and encourage them to join this mailing list @ [http://www.gpja.org.nz/]

CIVIL RIGHTS DEFENCE ORGANISING MEETING: Civil Rights Defence Committee, 6pm, Tuesday Feb 26, 6A Western Springs Rd, Morningside, Auckland. Discuss the upcoming trials. All welcome.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity." - Albert Einstein

WHAT’S ON IN NEW ZEALAND

Tuesday 26th February – Book Launch “The Rock” by Vince Seimer – An account of Vince’s 21 days in Mt Eden Prison on contempt of court charges. “Truth is often stranger than fiction, taking a walk with Vince Seimer through 21 days in the infamous Mt Eden Prison will challenge our beliefs on what our bureaucrats tell us and how, in New Zealand, the small vulnerable press often goes along to get along. Gripping detail and insights into a world few can imagine. The book which lays it all bare” The launch takes place 9.30am to 12noon outside the Auckland High Court.

Tuesday, February 26, 6pm, Unite Organising Centre, 6a Western Springs Rd, Morningside, Auckland CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANISING MEETING: Discuss the upcoming trials. All welcome.

Wed. March 5th 7:30 - Special charity premiere of John Pilgers new film “The War on Democracy” sponsored by the Peace Foundation. Featuring the democracy movement in Latin America, and particularly in Venezuela, it presents an overview of the encouraging progress that has been made based on simple and determined people power in claiming back their basic rights. Although it focuses on Latin America its message it universal in terms of the threats to democracy and what is being done about them by some inspiring people in South America. Tickets $25 from Academy cinema (09) 373 2761 include drinks and refreshments. More information from the Peace Foundation (09) 373 2379 Wednesday 5th March Academy Cinema, Lorne Street. 7.30pm refreshments, 8.30pm film screening. Tickets $25. Phone 3732761. Further information Ph 3732379 Greetings, Then from 6th March…More on the Pilger film from the Academy Cinema… We are launching a fantastic and controversial documentary at the Academy Cinema on the 6th of March. 'The War on Democracy' highlights the political upheavals in Latin America, pointing the finger clearly at the US government. It then draws parallels with the current situation in the Middle East. Filmmaker John Pilger interviews key political figures such as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The result is an enlightening and gripping story that helps us to better understand our world. Gina Dellabarca Ph +64 21 427 553 Marketing & Operations Director, ACADEMY CINEMAS, [gina@academycinemas.co.nz] , www.academycinemas.co.nz [http://www.academycinemas.co.nz]

Friday, 14 to Sunday, 16 March - 'Promoting peace through active non-violent resistance' is the theme of the 2008 National Peace Workshops - postponed earlier this year, the National Peace Workshops have now been re-scheduled and will be held at the Quaker Settlement, Whanganui, in March. The weekend will include workshops and panel discussions with Maori, Moriori, Pacific and Pakeha contributors who have experience of community and individual non-violent resistance, and/or non-violent direct action in Aotearoa and overseas; as well as workshops on campaigns of our member and other groups. More information and registration details will be available in late January at [http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/npw08.htm]

Saturday 15th March – GPJA Peace March on anniversary of invasion of Iraq. Gather Aotea Square 12noon.

Saturday, March 15, 8.30am-5pm, Auckland University On 15th March, the Faculty of Law, University of Auckland will be hosting a one-day Symposium entitled "Civil Society: Using Law as a Sword". The symposium will be open to the public, but pre-registration (cost $30) is essential. The organisers of the Symposium are Treasa Dunworth and Kris Gledhill of the Law Faculty, Rt Honourable Ted Thomas, Janfrie Wakim and Deborah Manning. We are also pleased to have the support of the Human Rights Commission with this initiative. If you are interested in this event or wish to register (there is a fee of $30.00) please email Treasa Dunworth at [t.dunworth@auckland.ac.nz] or phone on (09) 3737599 ext 88008.

April 10th to 19th – The Hollow Men comes to Auckland One Man One Mission Many Advisers . The Hollow Men Acclaimed Play The Hollow Men Brings Politics Up-close in Auckland in April. Based on Nicky Hager’s controversial book, The Hollow Men is at Maidment Theatre, Auckland from Thursday 10 April to Saturday 19 April for 10 performances only. The Hollow Men examines the months of Don Brash’s leadership of the National Party leading up to the 2005 election. The play had its world premiere in Wellington in September last year followed by a season in Palmerston and then a return season in Wellington. “Exciting, funny and totally absorbing” – Dominion Post "Full of half-lies" -- National Business Review "Who was it described John Key as the priest with his hand on your knee...?" -- The Hollow Men. In The Hollow Men, the cast plays a variety of political movers and shakers; many of whom still walk the corridors of parliament today. The Hollow Men plays at Maidment Theatre, Auckland for a strictly limited season from 10-19 April. Book by phoning 09 308 2383 or online at www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz [http://www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz].

~ Ongoing - Help us ban cluster bombs, online petition: "I support the global call to ban cluster bombs", you can add your name at [http://www.stopclusterbombs.org.nz/take-action/petition/]

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CUBAN DOCUMENTARY HITS TOWN BEFORE GOING GLOBAL New Zealand-Cuba documentary ¿La Verdad? opens in Auckland Academy Theatre this week 21 February, before heading offshore to the United States and then Cuba. The film, by Wellington journalist Helen Smyth, tells the story of Cuban oligarch Néstor Baguer. Smyth’s family met Baguer when travelling in Cuba in 2000. He befriended the family and nominated himself their Cuban Grandfather. Baguer told Smyth he was the leader of the dissident journalist movement in Cuba. In 2003 Smyth learned he was in fact a Cuban spy who set up the movement to trap would-be dissident writers. Baguer gave key evidence at summary Cuban trials that led to long imprisonments for more than 30 writers. She returned to Cuba with husband and co-director Tim Rose to film Baguer’s story and reasons. ¿La Verdad? premiered at last year’s New Zealand International Film Festival. It is now being released cinematically in New Zealand just prior to the world debut at the presitgious international film festival, Cinequest. Smyth also plans to then travel to Cuba to present the film there. “The story is about Cuba and the United States, with New Zealand taking the part of distant and curious observer,” Smyth said. “I’m nervous of both the United States and Cuban reactions, but especially the latter. It is a highly political story and I’ve tried to tell it with empathy and honesty, as well as recognition of my outsider status.” ¿La Verdad? opens on Thursday, 21 February and is running for a week. For more information, including a film trailer, see www.laverdadfilm.com [http://www.laverdadfilm.com] [http://www.laverdadfilm.com]

CLIMATE CHANGE - SOCIAL CHANGE CONFERENCE, APRIL 11-13, 2008, SYDNEY The world is teetering on the brink of unstoppable climate change. Many now recognise the need for serious change in the way we produce and use energy, our transport systems, food production, urban design and forestry practices. Yet politicians are still mouthing platitudes while allowing corporations to continue to profit from polluting our atmosphere and destroying our ecosystem. The need for social change has become an urgent part of preventing catastrophic climate change. Can the market fix the problem? What is the real record of carbon trading? How can we build a social movement capable of averting this disaster? What models and experiences can offer real solutions? To strengthen the exchange of ideas and contribute towards that urgent action Green Left Weekly is organising the Climate Change - Social Change conference from April 11-13, 2008 in Sydney. We are pleased to have confirmed: - John Bellamy Foster, author of Marx's Ecology: Materialism and Nature, editor of Monthly Review ([http://sociology.uoregon.edu/faculty/foster.php]) - Patrick Bond, Director of the Centre for Civil Society, University of Natal, South Africa; editor of Climate Change, Carbon Trading and Civil Society www.zcommunications.org/zspace/patrickbond [http://www.zcommunications.org/zspace/patrickbond] [http://www.zcommunications.org/zspace/patrickbond] - Roberto Perez, Cuban permaculturalist (featured in The Power of Community: how Cuba survived peak oil) () We invite your participation in making this more than just an exchange of ideas - important as that is - but a part of building up resistance to corporate-led climate change and strengthening the movement for sustainable development. To receive updates about the conference, send an email to [climatechange_socialchangeconf_announce-subscribe@yahoogroups.com] Please forward this conference call to your networks. In solidarity, Kamala Emanuel and Pip Hinman, Climate Change - Social Change conference organisers

ANNOUNCING THE MAY DAY 2008 BRIGADE TO VENEZUELA Registration deadline: March 30th, 2008 (including payment). The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network’s (AVSN) next solidarity brigade to Venezuela is schedule for May 2008 and will coincide with May Day (May 1st) in Venezuela. The brigade will be a unique opportunity to see first-hand the unfolding revolution in Venezuela. If you are interested in being part of this inspiring and educational experience, please send the completed registration form to [brigades@venezuelasolidarity.org]

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND Satirical video of stouch between Trevor Mallard and Tau Henare. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLKaySj75tQ]

The latest Greenpeace GE Free Food Guide reflects a strong ongoing non-GE position from New Zealand food companies and an unprecedented anti-GE stance from Australasia's largest food company. [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0801/S00243.htm]

WORLD ECONOMY The new Bank of the South assaults neoliberal economics [http://www.forumdesalternatives.org/EN/readarticle.php?article_id=4616]

AFGHANISTAN NATO winning battles, losing Afghanistan: "Make no mistake", begins a new issue brief from non-partisan think-tank the Atlantic Council of the United States, "NATO is not winning in Afghanistan". [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JB02Df02.html]

IRAQ New analysis ‘confirms’ 1 million+ Iraq casualties [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0802/S00012.htm]

LATIN AMERICA ALBA, an Economic Alternative for Latin America [http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/3116] Indianismo and Marxism: The Missed Encounter of Two Revolutionary Principles by Álvaro García Linera, vice president of Bolivia [http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/garcia310108.html]

WEST SAHARA Swedish Fund Öhman to divest from Wesfarmers Australia - The Australia Wester Sahara Association (AWSA) applauds the decision of Öhman Funds from Sweden to divest from the Australian phosphate company CSBP (Wesfarmers) due to its imports of phosphate rock from the occupied Western Sahara. [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0802/S00019.htm] -- Unsubscribe from this newsletter: [http://gpja.org.nz/newsletter/confirm/remove/cd3e50358e830t1]

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