LL:DDV: Aston by-election update
The Socialist Alliance had an excellent 70-strong anti-GST rally outside the Liberal offices in Wantirna South on Saturday. Part of a national day of protest called by the SA, the rally was covered on 7, 9, 10, ABC radio, 3CR and by the Sunday Herald Sun. Now we're in the final stretch and there are a few key dates to come--we'd love your help: Saturday, July 7. Aston branch members and supporters (including all those from the eastern and south-eastern suburbs) will be campaigning at Mountain Gate shopping centre from 10am. SA members and supporters from the north and west will be campaigning at Stud Park shopping centre from 11am. There will also be a team heading for Bayswater shopping centre for 11am. Sunday, July 8. Peter Garrett is speaking at an environmental forum at Knox Civic Centre, 511 Burwood Hway, Wantirna South, at 2pm. We will be leafleting from 1.30pm. Saturday, July 14. THE BIG ONE. We are aiming to cover all 32 polling booths with how-to-vote cards. This will be organised primarily through the various SA branches. But if you are not sure about which branch you are in, or if you are not a member of any branch, contact me directly on 0418 316 310 or at [EMAIL PROTECTED] and I will allocate you to a booth team. Every member and supporter should make a big effort for this day. We have campaigned very hard: at Wantirna TAFE, on the picket line at Johnson Tiles and at Amcor, on the shop floor at Creeks Metals, and in every significant shopping centre. We've letterboxed about 80 per cent of the electorate (so far) and got substantial local media coverage, especially given that there are 15 candidates! But, to paraphrase Billy Bragg, it all amounts to nothing if together at the polling booths we don't stand. Following the vote, there will be a party at 19 Eton Squ, Wantirna. Fingerfood provided, plates welcome, no BYO. If you have any queries, please contact me, David Glanz SA Aston by-election campaign manager -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:DDV: Don't forget Gothenburg
Tomorrow Tuesday - July 3rd - What really happened at Gothenburg -- live talk via speaker telephone from Jonas Brannberg a key organiser of the recent demo in Sweden. Jonas also participated in the S11 protests in Melbourne. A Socialist Party event - All welcome 7pm Trades Hall Drinks afterwards Phone 9639 9122 for details -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:ART: Businessman escapes jail term after killing picketer
Businessman escapes jail term after killing a New Zealand picketer By John Braddock 30 June 2001 Derek Powell, a 53-year-old businessman convicted of manslaughter after killing a woman on a New Zealand picket line, walked out of the High Court last month without having to face jail. At the end of a two-week trial, the jury found Powell guilty of causing the death of Christine Clarke, a 45-year-old mother of two and the wife of a port worker. Powell had run Clarke down with his four-wheel drive vehicle when she joined picketing wharf workers at the Port of Lyttelton, near Christchurch late in 1999. The presiding judge, Justice Panckhurst, on June 15 sentenced Powell to nine months' periodic detention. In the New Zealand justice system, periodic detention is a non-prison term, usually reserved for minor offenses, involving weekend community work under police supervision. The conclusion of this case, however, had a definite political content. Justifying the manifestly light sentence, Justice Panckhurst went to considerable lengths to shift the blame for her death from Powell onto the picketing workers. Christine Clarke died in the Christchurch Hospital intensive care unit on New Years' Eve, 2000. She had been admitted with severe head and leg injuries after being run down during the second day of the picket, organised to protest a decision by the Lyttelton Port Company to contract out its coal loading operations. According to evidence given at the trial, Powell had already driven past the picket several times. The manager of a luxury boat importing company, he had been carrying out business at the wharf. At about midday, he returned again, driving his vehicle at speed towards the picket line before braking heavily. He then gradually moved the vehicle closer to the picket line, stopping within inches of the pickets' legs. Twelve workers testified that Powell then suddenly accelerated at the picket, striking Clarke and throwing her momentarily into the air before she fell back hitting her head on the ground. According to one worker who had been standing nearby, Powell looked her straight in the eyes and booted it. He went right over the top of her. The motives for Powell's decision to accelerate through the picket line were the subject of dispute at the trial. The prosecution argued that Powell had become either impatient or angry at being held up, and simply decided to force his way through. All the prosecution witnesses agreed that there was no provocation or physical altercation prior to Powell's decision to drive forward. In any case Powell would have been allowed to drive on after several minutes. The defence argued, however, that Powell was suddenly subjected to physical abuse from the pickets through the open driver's side window of his vehicle, and that he had driven forward in self-defence. Powell had only one witness, the driver of a truck following behind his vehicle, to support his version of events. Moreover, television news footage of the picket, taken just a few minutes before the incident, showed Powell's car stationary before a calm and orderly picket line. The window of Powell's car was open, and his arm hanging outside of the vehicle. In order to sustain the claims of an unprovoked physical attack on Powell, his defence was forced to argue that the mood of the picket suddenly changed, for no apparent reason, and this led to significant violence being committed against him. Powell denied that there had been any verbal altercation on his part which might have provoked a response from the picketers. In summing up, the prosecution pointed out that even if Powell had felt himself under threat he could have reversed away from the picket. In taking the action he did, he carried the responsibility for killing Clarke by driving, at the very least, in a dangerous and careless manner directly at the line of pickets. The jury clearly concurred with the prosecution's arguments and found the businessman guilty. However, when the judge reconvened the court three weeks later for sentencing, he had decided to give significant weight to Powell's version of the events. Justice Panckhurst began by confirming Powell's culpability in Clarke's death, which he said was a tragedy for her family. He went on to declare, however, his intention to sentence Powell on the basis that he had been under threat in the moments before he drove forward. To justify his position, the judge referred to television footage shot, not at the time, but earlier in the day, which he claimed showed aggressive male picketing workers behaving badly. In a further display of class prejudice, the judge went on to deliver a lecture to the picketers saying that, in blocking a highway, they were acting in a manner that was indefensible: Freedom of movement on the highways is a fundamental right, he declared. To empower a group of persons to stop traffic, even temporarily for
LL:DDS: SOCIAL ACTIVISTS' CALENDAR FOR PROGRESSIVES IN ADELAIDE
SOCIAL ACTIVISTS' CALENDAR FOR PROGRESSIVES IN ADELAIDE Publicising events that promote peace, social justice, reconciliation and environmental responsibility in and around Adelaide, South Australia For further information, contact: Andy Alcock: Phone: 61 8 83710480 (home) 61 8 82053200 (work) Fax:61 8 82236509 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [Please circulate] /// HIROSHIMA DAY PLANNING COMMITTEE The next 2 meetings TIME: 5 - 7 PM DAY:WEDNESDAY DATES: 4 JULY 2001 25 JULY 2001 VENUE: DRAPER ROOM PILGRIM CHURCH 12 Flinders Street, Adelaide Irene Gale Ron Gray Australian Peace Committee (South Australian Branch) Inc. 11 South Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia Ph: (+61-8) or (08) 8212 7138 Fax: (+61-8) or (08) 8364 2291 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web site: www.peacecourier.com CANDLE LIGHT WALK IN ADELAIDE FOR JUSTICE PEACE (Celebrating the 17th annual Candle Light Walk) TIME: ASSEMBLE - 6PM START - 7PM DAY:FRIDAY DATE: 6 JULY 2001 Candle light walks are held each month in Adelaide at Genocide Corner. In front of Government House. These walks are an expression of concern for those who wish for justice for Indigenous peoples. There is an opportunity to listen to Ngarrindjeri, Arrabunna and Kaurna Elders speak on issues affecting their people. The microphone remains open for anyone to offer their thoughts on current issues to sing a song or to share stories of struggle. Another Candlelit Walk has begun in Perth every month, and soon other states may follow. Please feel free to attend. P.S. If anyone is interested in other states - please give the Ngarrindjeri Land and Progress Association (NLPA) an email/ phonecall.There is a hope that we will soon have walks all over Australia on EVERY first friday... Don't worry if it will just be a small group of you to start with from little things big things come as Vincent Lingiari said! CONTACT: Ngarrindjeri Land and Progress Association Camp Coorong P.O. Box 126 Meningie, S.A Ph 08 8575 1557 Fax 08 8575 1448 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] websites: www.adelaide.net.au/~nlpa/BIGGERPICTURE.html www.ngarrindjeri.net From: Roma Mitchell Community Legal Centre Inc. [EMAIL PROTECTED] The Campaign for an Independent East Timor invites you to: EAST TIMOR BENEFIT FILM NIGHT SUPPORT WOMEN'S CHILDREN'S PROJECTS IN EAST TIMOR See Stephen Frear's: LIAM TIME: 7PM DAY:THURSDAY DATE: 19 JULY 2001 VENUE: TRAK CINEMA 375 Greenhill Rd, Toorak Gardens TICKETS:Crystelle 83731121 Miriam 82956481 Andy82053200 (work) 83710480 (after hours) INFORMATION ABOUT LIAM: This is an intimate drama set in the Catholic Irish quarter of Liverpool during the 1930s and seen through the eyes of a shy and stuttering 7 year-old boy, Liam. Total Film: *** Brilliantly directed and often very funny. Liam is a gritty portrait of working class life as seen throught the eyes of an innocent. Daily Mail: Deeply moving and brilliantly acted, Liam is tipped to follow the success of Billy Elliott. Jimmy McGovern (Writer): What's the moral of Liam? I think it's this: when you attack people for what they are, rather than for what they do, you destroy everything of beauty in your world. I've written bigger things than 'LIAM'. More important things too. But I've not written anything so deeply felt an personal. Campaign for an Independent East Timor (South Australia) Inc. (Affiliated to the International Federation for East Timor, the East Timor Relief Association, the Australian Coalition for a Free East Timor and the Free Timor Campaign) c/o Global Education Centre first floor 220 Victoria Square ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5000 Bob Hanney (Secretary) 61 8 83443511 26 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY WITH EAST TIMOR! POLITICS IN THE PUB/NOW WE THE PEOPLE WE THE PEOPLE CONFERENCE 14 -15 JULY 2001 NEWTOWN THEATRE (354 King St, Newtown, Sydney) Speakers include: Frank Stilwell Dorothy McRae-McMahon Sharan Burrow Pat Ranald Anthony Albanese Doug Cameron Email: info@nowwethe people.org Website:www.nowwethepeople.org Phone: 02 92114164 Fax:02 92111407 Address:PO Box k941, Haymarket, NSW1240 NEXT POLITICS IN THE PUB: TIME: 6.30PM DAY:THURSDAY DATE: 23 JULY 2001
LL:DDV: Naomi Klein Public meeting
** High Priority ** Globalization Unplugged -- Voices of Protest Public meeting With Naomi Klein Monday July 16, 8.30pm. Trades Hall=20 cnr Victoria Lygon Sts, Carlton A fundraiser for women's projects in Asia. Other speakers include: Lynette Dumble Global Sisterhood Network on Women: A species imperiled by Globalization and the Princes of Patriarchy, Reihana Mohideen from Piglas Kababaihan-Insured,Philippines, speaking on Fighting Globalization in the Philippines. And the launch of the 3CR CD Globalization Unplugged produced by Rachel Maher. Cost: $12/$6 conc. Bookings essential. Tables for 6 and 10 available, Send cheque [payable to the Global Sisterhood Network], to Onnie Wilson, 14 Rix Street, Glen Iris, 3146. Phone: Green Left Weekly 96398622 for bookings and other details. -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
LL:AA: email message of solidarity to AMWU Bradken workers at Ipswich,
Dear leftlinkers, A message from: Tania Clarke AMWU National Campaigns Co-ordinator -- This should only take a few minutes of your time. I am writing to ask you to send an email message QLD. (All you need to do is send one email.) Read on Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) members across the country are currently campaigning to introduce a workers' entitlements protection scheme called Manusafe. The essence of Manusafe is that it requires and enables employers to place workers' entitlements re long service leave, annual leave etc into an industry trust fund to protect them. This will mean that instead of employers using workers' entitlements as an interest free loan to run their businesses they will have to bank them away for their employees. Many workers in Australia have been losing their entitlements when companies go under or in situations of transfer of ownership or through ownership restructuring. The Australian Industry Group (the main employer association in manufacturing) has been leading a campaign of disinformation against Manusafe basically arguing why should employers bear the burden?. A serious struggle has broken out at Bradken's in Ipswich, QLD where 120 AMWU members are determined to win their claim for Manusafe as part of the current round of bargaining (and in the broader industry campaign - campaign 2001). I write to ask if you can send a message of solidarity (see below) to the Bradken AMWU members at the following address and copy it to Glenn Thompson who is the National Organiser coordinating the dispute: Probably the best way to do this is to cut and paste the text of the message with your details into a new email and then send that to the following 3 addresses. [EMAIL PROTECTED] (delegate at Bradken) -c.c [EMAIL PROTECTED] , [EMAIL PROTECTED] FINALLY, PLEASE FORWARD THIS INFORMATION ON TO ANY OTHERS WHO MIGHT LIKE TO JOIN IN THIS EMAIL SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN. In Unity, Tania Clarke AMWU National Campaigns Co-ordinator [DATE] Dear Bradken delegates and members (Ipswich site), CAMPAIGN MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY I am aware that you are currently in dispute with Management in Campaign 2001 over your claim for Manusafe. I send a message of solidarity to you all in your struggle to win the protection and portability of your hard earned entitlements. I support your strong stand to achieve Manusafe. This sends a clear message to employers that it is no longer acceptable to put workers' entitlements at risk by utilising them as interest free loans. The action you have taken has the support of fellow unionists and community activists around the country. Your struggle is our struggle. In unity, name workplace and state -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
