Green Left Weekly
Syria: West's hypocritical war drive slowed
The proposal by Russia, accepted by the regilme of Bashar Al-Assad, for Syria’s chemical weapons to be turned over to an international authority (presumably the United Nations) for destruction, has temporarily put off Washington’s plans for war against Syria.
Obama has postponed asking Congress to approve of his plans to attack Syria. This represents a political defeat for the war drive.
Even if Washington scuttles the proposed agreement and goes ahead with war, it will do so with even less support at home and abroad than it had before the Russian proposal.
Regional queers fight for marriage rights
The first marriage equality rally in Nowra, south of Wollongong, was held on September 6. About 100 people attended the rally and chalk rainbows were drawn on the footpath.
Rally organiser Tobi Harris told the Illawarra Mercury: “The seat of Gilmore has been held by the Liberals for 17 years, and we want to remind them to stand up for the gay community.”
Long-time queer rights activist Paola Harvey addressed the crowd. Her speech is reprinted below.
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Tamils still face repression in Sri Lanka
“The worst genocide of this century” was how Paul Newman, professor of human rights at the University of Bangalore, described what has happened to the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.
Newman was delivering the Eliezer memorial lecture, in memory of Professor CJ Eliezer, the founder of the Eelam Tamil Association of Victoria, at Monash University on August 25.
Newman was speaking on democracy in south Asia. He began by outlining some common features of the south Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, before discussing Sri Lanka in more detail.
New NSW bill to threaten reproductive rights
Pro-choice activists fear that a new bill, soon to go to NSW parliament, will pose a threat to women’s reproductive rights. “Zoe’s law” will create a new offence that recognises crime or harm against a foetus.
The Crimes Amendment (Zoe’s Law) Bill 2013 No. 2 was introduced by Liberal MP Chris Spence. It is named after the stillborn daughter of Brodie Donegan, who was 32-weeks pregnant when she was hit by a car on Christmas day in 2009 near Ourimbah on the central coast. Donegan suffered severe injuries and an emergency caesarean was too late to save the foetus.
DFAT told to stop funding human rights abuses in West Papua
Supporters of the Freedom Flotilla to West Papua, including the Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy, gathered outside the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Brisbane on September 2.
They were protesting against the arrest of four supporters of the Freedom Flotilla in the West Papuan city of Sorong on August 28 and who are now facing charges of treason for raising the West Papuan Morning Star flag.
Freedom flotilla sails into West Papua
The ">West Papua Freedom Flotilla released this statement on September 12.
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Evading the Indonesian navy, two tiny boats met near the Australia-Indonesia border to ceremonially reconnect the indigenous peoples of Australia and West Papua. The ceremony was the pinnacle of a 5000 kilometre journey beginning in Lake Eyre, in which sacred water and ashes were carried and presented to West Papuan leaders.
GLW issue number 981
Socialist Alliance builds left voice at election
The Socialist Alliance ran seven lower house candidates and a Senate team in NSW in the recent federal elections. Through letterboxing, campaign stalls, public forums and polling day, it engaged people who wanted to be involved in activism and politics in a meaningful way.
Green Left Weekly needs you
Since the election of Tony Abbott’s Coalition government, Green Left Weekly has had a rush of new subscribers and many renewals. These people recognise the critical role Green Left Weekly will play in the trying period ahead.
One regular subscriber bought a subscription for her daughter. "She needs to know what is going on under this terrible man, Tony Abbott," the subscriber said when I took her call.
Her trepidation is shared by many — with good reason.
Socialist Alliance victim of hate page set up
Socialist Alliance members in Geelong have been victims of a vicious, post-election smear campaign. Federal police are investigating a Facebook page that called for the assassination of PM-elect Tony Abbott.
The creator of the page has not been identified, but they claimed an association with the Geelong branch of the Socialist Alliance and appeared to be posting from Geelong Trades Hall, where Socialist Alliance has its office.
Carlo's Corner: Abbott's right, climate change is pretty crap
Well, turns out some bastards won the federal elections. I knew some bastards would win. I said it beforehand, I said: “Some bastards are going to win this one, you wait and see.”
I was right. I even tried to put some money on some bastards winning, but no bookies would give me odds.
Experience a revolutionary election this year
Are you sick of elections that primarily involve a choice between two pro-capitalist parties?
Well, here's your chance to experience an election involving a mass mobilisation of revolutionary-minded people determined to bring about socialism of the 21st century in their country.
The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network (AVSN) will host its 14th solidarity brigade to Venezuela over December 4-13. The registration closing date has now been extended to October 1.
Abbott has no mandate from Aboriginal Australia
Aboriginal Australians awoke on Sunday morning to find they had a new “Prime Minister for Indigenous Affairs”, a pledge Tony Abbott delivered during the 2013 election campaign.
One problem — noone, including within the media, ever stopped to ask Aboriginal people if they actually wanted a “Prime Minister for Indigenous Affairs”, and in particular whether they wanted Abbott.
As it turns out, they apparently don’t.
Rally: Reclaim the Night Melbourne 2013.
AAWL open day: A day in solidarity.
Saturday, October 19
Meeting and workshop to discuss strategies and future directions in AAWL. Come along and find out more about our campaigns, our organising strategies, and help us build and plan for the next year. 11am-4pm. Fitzroy Library, 128 Moor St, Fitzroy.
Event date: Sat, 19/10/2013 - 11:00am - 4:00pmRally: March against Monsanto.
Saturday, October 12
Part of an international day of action. We are marching for: labelling on GM food; long-term health testing of GM food; a halt to GM food approvals; the right to save seeds; sustainable agriculture; transparency and accountability. 2pm. State Library, 328 Swanston St, City.
Event date: Sat, 12/10/2013 - 2:00pmComedy: Political Asylum.
Tuesday, October 1
Event date: Tue, 01/10/2013 - 9:30pmBook Launch: Singing Johnny Cash in the Cardiac Ward.
Monday, September 30
A personal story of heart disease and music by John 'Togs' Tognolini. 'The trouble with heart disease is that the first symptom is often hard to deal with — sudden death.' (Dr Michael Phelps) This is a serious attempt to raise awareness about heart disease that kills one Australian every 23 minutes. This book is also a story about music and my relationship with it through 25 years of broadcasting radio. 6:30pm. The Post Office Hotel, 229-231 Sydney Rd, Coburg.
Event date: Mon, 30/09/2013 - 6:30pmFundraiser: James Connolly Association.
Fundraiser for Northern Ireland prisoners and their families. Come along for the craic, Derry Lad, Marty Kelly will be playing some fine rebel tunes. 12pm. The Celtic Club, cnr Queen & La Trobe Sts, City.
Event date: Sun, 29/09/2013 - 12:00pm
