Posted on 14-11-2003

GPJA News #49
November 12, 2003

Please send me an email to miket@pl.net if you are planning to attend the
Social Forum Aotearoa November 21-23, Wellington. The organisers want to
estimate numbers attending. GPJA is also looking at taking a van down. If
you are interested in this cheaper way of getting there contact Mike Treen
miket@pl.net. Do it now as decisions need to be made this week!

MESSAGES

SUGGESTED LETTER TO US EMBASSY (address: human.resources@actrix.gen.nz) to
protest the arrest and charging of GPJA activist Bruce Hubbard for sending
an "offensive" email to the US Embassy protesting the US-led war on Iraq.
Sir: On his recent visit to the Australian Parliament President George
Bush, reacting to an interruption by an Australian Parliamentarian,
indicated that he was in favour of free speech. It would be timely for the
US Embassy here to withdraw its complaint against peace activist Bruce
Hubbard's email in the interests of the right of New Zealanders to speak
freely. If it is offensive to American Embassy staff to be reminded of the
consequences of the behaviour of succeeding US Administrations it cannot
be less than the offence felt by those at the receiving end of it. Just
one example may suffice. The State of Israel could not possibly sustain
its illegal occupation of its neighbour's territory, breaking UN
Resolutions and contravening the Fourth Geneva Convention without being
massively underwritten financially and diplomatically by Washington.

I am frightened by the erosion of our civil liberties which are being
ntroduced in support of what to many of us seems to be a fraudulent US war
on terrorism. If you succeed in silencing Bruce Hubbard and we say
nothing, how soon will it be before others who similarly speak their minds
become victims of US Government power?

SOCIAL FORUM AOTEAROA
Social Forum Aotearoa, Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Porirua, November 21-23,
2003 'Another world is possible'. Social Forum Aotearoa "aims to gather
together people who share the desire for a world with more respect - for
ourselves, each other and the environment. It is inspired by the World
Social Forum (WSF), which since its first meeting in Porto Alegre, Brazil
in 2001 has helped transform the globalisation debate." Social Forum
Aotearoa will be held at the Porirua campus of Te Wananga O Aotearoa
(University of New Zealand). Participate in workshops on topics ranging
from human rights, the global economy, peace, justice, participatory
democracy, the environment, the union movement, local economic
development, welfare. "Open space" forums will allow additional workshops
to be held. For more info check out www.socialforum.org.nz tel 0800 355
553 or email
info@socialforum.org.nz

Speakers and Presentations: Dr. Jane Kelsey, economist, Maxine Gay, trade
unionist, Colin Fox, MP Scotland, Roger Blakely, CEO Porirua City, ARENA,
Social & Civic Policy Institute, East Side Cannons Creek Porirua,
aekakariki residents, John Roughan, Solomon Islands Civil Society network,
Tian Chua, Malaysian Trade Unionist, Socialist Workers, Human Rights
network, representative of Ahmed Zaoui, Paul Bruce, Latin American
Committee, Housing Action Porirua, Universal Income Trust, Peace
Activitists Groups, and more. Powhiri will begin at 1:00 pm on Fri.
November 21 with closing at 4:00pm Sunday November 23.

'WHERE TO NOW ON THE FORESHORE', the latest commentary by Moana Jackson is
available on-line at www.converge.org.nz/pma/fsoct.htm or we can send it
to you as text, just email pma@xtra.co.nz It is crucial that you act now
to oppose the government's plans - the call to action 'No raupatu in our
time' (circulated on 28 October) which includes some suggestions for
things you can do is available at www.converge.org.nz/pma/fs281003.htm And
you could wear the 'No raupatu in our time' badge to show what you think
about the Government's foreshore and seabed plans, you can print off an
order form at www.converge.org.nz/pma/fsbadge.htm

PEOPLES MORATORIUM The People's Moratorium is the continuing campaign to
keep New Zealand's food and environment GE Free. Because the Government
has failed to respond to public demand for a continuing moratorium on GE
release, it now falls to the people to keep New Zealand GE Free.
www.gefreepeople.net/

MERCHANTS OF DEATH Peace Action Wellington will be holding a picket
outside of Te Papa from 8:00AM-9:30AM on Tuesday the 11th of November to
mark their opposition to the New Zealand Defence Industry conference. 'It
is sickening that the Labour government is spending our money on
developing an industry of death, while our hospitals and social services
are chronically under funded,' said Peace Action Wellington spokesperson
John Anderson. 'Not many New Zealanders know that the government is
encouraging the growth of a weapons industry in New Zealand.' The
government funded Trade NZ 'is active in providing assistance in the
export of Defence products' according to the NZDIA's website. The products
developed by this industry so far have included grenades, weapons firing
control systems, shoot-to-kill training equipment, 'special purpose'
munitions, and aerial bombing score systems. Peace Action Wellington
demands an immediate end to this state sponsored death industry. For more
information relating to New Zealand's weapons and related industries visit
the Peace Movement Aotearoa website -www.converge.org.nz/pma/nowarp.htm

PLAN A SPECIAL SUMMER BREAK NOW - JOIN THE WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST,
JANUARY 16-18, 2004. The Anti-Bases Campaign (ABC) is organising its
annual summer camp to protest the Waihopai e-spy base (near Blenheim). For
details about the base and the camp, and to reserve a place, write to
Anti-Bases Campaign, Box 2258, Christchurch or e-mail
cafca@chch.planet.org.nz or go to http://www.converge.org.nz/abc
Aucklanders can contact John Minto (See above) to coordinate
participation/travel

'EXPAND' MAGAZINE, a collection of work from Christchurch activists and
writers, including Anna Kirtlan, Torrance Hodgson, Lois Griffiths, Nate
Cull, and Leith McLean. Mail-order by sending $5 postage and packaging to
Expand mail-order, PO Box 1913, Christchurch. Copies also available from
Unite Office, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn.

'THE NEW AMERICAN CENTURY - WHAT LIES AHEAD? PART 1: LESSONS FROM IRAQ'.
Working Paper No 12, another excellent working paper from the Centre for
Peace Studies. Copies are available for $10 each, from Centre for Peace
studies, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland. For more
info contact Dr Robert White, email r.white@auckland.ac.nz


WHAT'S ON IN AUCKLAND

Saturday, November 15, 5-7pm, St Mathew's Cathedral, Wellesley Street,
Auckland Courage Day. Don't take your freedom of speech for granted. Join
the New Zealand Society of Authors for an international day of remembrance
& celebration. Come to remember & acknowledge: writers and thinkers
imprisoned for expressing their opinions. Writers who have died in
prisons. Writers and thinkers exiled from their countries. Come, to
celebrate: the right to free speech. The diversity of our views. Join with
other cultures in an affirmation of the unity of the human spirit. Support
a common cause for freedom of speech and cultural expression. Join famous
authors; Witi Ihimaera, Kapka Kassabova, and Stephanie Johnson. Together
with a line-up of stimulating speakers, who will further challenge your
thinking. Hear some of the best international music to be found in NZ.
Children Welcome. Contact Stephen Dalley 629-0244 or 021-783-743

Monday, November 17, 6.30pm, Maidment Theatre, Auckland University Bruce
Jesson Foundation Public Lecture by Prof. Jane Kelsey. Bar open 5:30 pm.
The Jesson Foundation exists to promote through various means, the
vigorous political, social and economic investigation, debate, analysis
and reporting which Bruce was so adept at. This activity is organised by
the Foundation's Trustees. The trustees are a somewhat eclectic collection
of persons but have two characteristics which in my recollection of Bruce,
he would applaud - they have genuinely open minds which sincerely welcome
and enjoy new ideas or debate none of which would shift them from their
fundamental viewpoint. Speaking this year is Professor Jane Kelsey who
will attack the question of "De-colonisation or Re-colonisation - which is
our future." Outside her academic duties in the Law School, Jane has spent
a good deal of time recently at events and in places of immediate
relevance to this issue. For more information contact Dr. Joce Jesson,
Director Research Development, Auckland College of Education, Wk
623-8859, Mob.
0274-610-796, Hm 64-9-6222-142

Tuesday, November 25, 7-30pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby
(parking at rear). INSIDE INDONESIA'S HIDDEN WAR ON ACEH. Hear William
Nessen, free lance journalist give a talk plus data show and video footage
on his 6 weeks behind the lines with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and 40
days in an Indonesian jail. William Nessen barely escaped with his life
from covering a conflict that is officially barred to all but Government
approved and 'embedded' journalists'. Hundreds have died since the May 19
imposition of martial law and thousands have been displaced - but world is
blind to the ongoing suffering. He has a unique story - it is a once only
opportunity to hear a first hand account of the war in Aceh. Get in touch
if you want more details contact Maire Leadbetter: Ph 09-815-9000 or
025-436-957 maire@clear.net.nz

Wednesday, November 26, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
SCOTTISH SOCIALIST MP TOURS NZ: Colin Fox, Member of the Scottish
Parliament, is touring New Zealand prior to attending the Alliance Party's
national conference at the end of November. Colin Fox is one of six
members of the Scottish Socialist Party elected to Scottish Parliament in
2003, and will be talking about the growing mood of activism amongst
ordinary people in Scotland and the UK that has the status quo parties
worried. The Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) is Scotland's fastest growing
and most active political party. The SSP has exciting and radical policies
such as free, nutritious school meals for all school children, a fair
alternative to council taxes that will make the rich pay their share,
opposing council housing sell-offs and public service privatisation,
fighting racism, supporting asylum seekers, and
opposing the Bush/Blair war in the Middle East. For further information
contact Mike Treen, Alliance International Spokesperson, Mobile 021
2547440. Phone 09 3616989, Fax 09 3616991, Email
mike.treen@alliance.org.nz

Saturday, December 6, 8:00am, 308 Great North Rd. GREEN FUNDRASISER GARAGE
SALE. We need Your Stuff for Our GREEN GARAGE SALE Set aside your old
books, clothes and bric-a-brac for us! Bring your donation items to the
office. Queries: contact Kim 376-4143.

Sunday, December 7, 7pm til late, The Classic Comedy Bar, 321 Queen St.
CBD Antidote #5. Auckland Indymedia Doco Screening and Anti-Xmas Party. A
FUNdraising evening of alternative political documentaries possibly
including clips from: Adbuster anti-ads , Guerrilla News Network, Yes Men,
GE docos, locally made "Dear Baghdad" Iraq documentary, Auckland
Indymedia retrospective, subversive cartoons and more (tba) - followed by
an after party !!! Cost: only $3/$5 - all welcome. This is the fifth and
final screening presented By Auckland Indy media for 2003. The Antidote
aims to be a regular forum for the exposure of alternative political
filmmaking and media art. For more information, contact
auckland@indymedia.org.nz. Auckland Indymedia is part of a nationwide
network that runs the independent news website, www.indymedia.org.nz

Monday, December 8, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
GPJA FORUM: Auckland - Run for the community or private profit (details
later)

Wednesday, December 10, 8.45am, North Shore Magistrates Court, Cnr of
Corinthian Drive and Don McKinnon Rd Albany. Please support GPJA supporter
Bruce Hubbard. He has been charged with 'Misuse of telephone'
Telecommunications Act 1991 because of an email sent to the US Embassy
protesting the US war on Iraq..

Wednesday, December 10, 11.30am - 2.30pm, Aotea Square UNITED NATIONS
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY. Laurie Ross has offered to co-ordinate this working
under umbrella of Pax Christi as part of the Human Rights Network Trust
and the Human Rights Commission. The Human Rights Day Committee is seeking
funding or donations and welcomes help to cover costs for the event. This
is an ideal opportunity for Schools or Human Rights Community Groups to
offer multicultural performances eg. music, dance, artwork, banners,
education stalls and speakers. We are eager to have some ethnic food
stalls if you wish to fund raise for a particular cause. We also require
assistance with promotion and distribution of flyers and would welcome
other offers of help. PLEASE CONTACT Laurie Ross on 811 8696 email:
laurie-ross@xtra.co.nz

Friday, December 12, 7:00pm till late, 308 Great North Rd., Grey Lynn.
GPJA'ers are invited to the Green's End of Year Party to help us thank
volunteers in the green social justice and political movements. Book it in
your diary! Music, food, drinks, friends. See you there.