LL:PR: NT lawyer jailed for doing his job
Media Release Friday 6 July 2001 was another tragic day for the NT criminal justice system when Peter O'Brien, a lawyer with North Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service (NAALAS) was jailed for doing nothing more then providing effective representation for his 15 year old client. In fact, he was arguing that his client should receive the benefit of the $20 million mandatory sentencing deal struck between the Federal and Territory governments last year. Mr O'Brien was attempting to tell the magistrate Dick Wallace that his client should not have been in court on the charge. In fact, it was meant to have been dealt with by police diversion away from court. Magistrate Wallace did not want to hear from Mr O'Brien and asked how the client was pleading. Mr O'Brien attempted to answer but was repeatedly cut off by the magistrate. Magistrate Wallace then unlawfully directed Mr O'Brien to leave the courtroom. Mr O'Brien refused stating he was not going to leave his client unrepresented. The magistrate then directed the court constable to take Mr O'Brien into custody. Mr O'Brien was not charged with contempt of court, nor could he have been. His time in prison was unlawful. It is a sad day in NT's legal system when a magistrate can jail a NAALAS lawyer whose only crime was representing his client effectively, as any good lawyer would. To avoid a more lengthy period in custody and the possibility of not being able to practice law again, Mr O'Brien was forced to apologise when the magistrate summonsed him back to court. Both Mr O'Brien and his client were left shaken by the whole ordeal. At the end of the day magistrate Wallace adjourned the matter for the reasons Mr O'Brien had raised at the beginning of the day. All those involved in the Australian criminal justice system should see to it that magistrate Dick Wallace and the NT Justice administration are held accountable for this appalling abuse of power. A magistrate who believes he has the power to jail a lawyer for doing his job properly should be sacked immediately. An inquiry into the NT legal system should be convened and an official apology be forthcoming to Mr O'Brien, his client and NAALAS. Justice Action 19 Buckland St, Chippendale, NSW 2008, Australia P.O. Box 386, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] voice: 61-9281-5100 fax: 61-9281-5303 Please log into the Justice Action Web site, designed and sponsored by Breakout Design & Print, exercising good corporate citizenship: http://www.justiceaction.org.au -- 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: FOOTSCRAY RALLY- 50yrs since Refugee Convention
--> please forward this to lists/ friends/ anyone DEFEND THE 1951 REFUGEE CONVENTION CLOSE MARIBYRNONG DETENTION CENTRE -> Footscray Rally + March July 28, Saturday 11am @ FOOTSCRAY MALL meet crn of Paisley & Nicholson Sts (near ANZ bank) ph 9689 9867 for info. speakers include: - Abdul Muse, Western suburbs Somali youth representative - Susan Coward, Maribyrnong Councillor - Con, Asylum Seekers Centre The 1951 Refugee Convention guarantees anyone the right to flee persecution without papers. Current Australian refugee policy brands such people as "illeagals" and imprisons them in places like Maribyrnong Detention Centre. On the 5oth anniversary of the Convention take a stand for justice and refugee rights... Demand: Abolish mandatory detention Close the detention camps Permanent not temporary visas End racist scapegoating of refugees PRESENTED BY REFUGEE ACTION COLLECTIVE ___ > help organise the rally, RAC (Western Suburbs) organising meeting is this thursday (July 19) at 6:30pm @ Vic Uni Nicholson St Campus, the Hoadley building (RAC Vic meets every tuesday @ trades hall 6pm). RAC VICTORIA - ph 0418 347 374. RAC WESTERN SUBURBS ph Arun 9689 9867 RAC BRUNSWICK, ph Judy 0418 347 374 www.vicnet.net.au/~rac-vic/ Also coming soon from RAC... FREE THE REFUGEES PUBLIC MEETING, July 31 6pm @ Trades Hall, ph 0418 347 374 for info LAST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH, VIGIL at Maribyrnong Detention Centre RE-LAUNCHED FROM SUNDAY 12PM, AUGUST 26. ph 9689 9867 for info FREEDOM RIDE to Woomera in September ROCK FOR REFUGEES in late November -- 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: Melbourne Radical Women Study Group
Melbourne Radical Women invites you to a 6-week study series on The Radical Women Manifesto: Socialist Feminist Theory, Program and Organizational Structure Saturdays, 28 July - 1 September 2.00-3.30 pm (Lunch is served at 1.30 pm for a $6.00 donation) 28 July: Introduction and Preamble -- Who We Are; The Vanguard Role of Women 4 August: Theory -- Origins of Oppression; Women under Capitalism; Race and Gender 11 August: Theory -- Reform or Revolution; Feminism: Class Struggle or Sex Struggle; Women and Socialism; Building for a Socialist Feminist Future 18 August: Platform -- Legal Rights; Economic Equality; Women and Unions; Biological Self-Determination; Quality Healthcare; Rights of Children; Education; Politics; People of Colour, National/Ethnic Minorities and Indigenous Nations 25 August: Platform -- Sexual Minorities; Elder Women; Young Women; Women with Disabilities; Women and Poverty; Women in Prison; Legalisation of Prostitution; Violence against Women; The Environment; Media and Culture; The Military and the Draft; The Right to Self-Defence; For a United Front against the Right Wing and Fascism 1 September: Organisational Structure & Principles; Notes and Recommended Reading The Radical Women Manifesto is available in English and Spanish for $10.00 from Solidarity Salon (Tuesdays or Saturdays, 10.00 am - 5.00 pm) and New International Bookshop or by mail (email [EMAIL PROTECTED] for details). Copies will also be available for purchase at study group meetings. Radical Women Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Rd., Brunswick (Upfield line between Brunswick & Anstey stations, Tram #19 between Blyth and Stewart St. stops; plenty of parking at rear, off Staley St.) Information: (03) 9386 3230 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- 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:INFO: Fw: P.N.G. Solidarity Message - 7 July 01
From: "robert rodvik" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2001 12:51 AM Subject: Fw: P.N.G. Solidarity Message - 7 July 01 Solidarity message from Papua New Guinea received Saturday, 7 July 01. 7 July 2001 TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND COMRADES IN AUSTRALIA, On behalf of the Anti-Privatisation Alliance and all the people fighting against the World Bank/IMF Program in Papua New Guinea, we would like to extend our best wishes and gratitude to all our friends and comrades in Australia for your solidarity, support and sympathy at this time. Since 1993/1994 when we began the campaign against the corporate take over of Papua New Guinea (PNG) by the World Bank/IMF, the struggle had been long and bitter. And as recent events have revealed, it has also been bloody, with our students paying with their lives. Let there be no mistake however while the police in Papua New Guinea pulled the trigger, Alexander Downer and John Howard are responsible for the death of our students as they are the ones who have insisted and demanded that the Government of PNG implements the World Bank/IMF program despite the consistent and massive opposition of our people. They are the ones who are also supplying the technical "expertise" to train and turn the police in Papua New Guinea into brutal and vicious murderers. While we are in sorrow and mourning the death of our students, your acts of solidarity and moral support has and will contribute to easing the pain that we are feeling at this moment. We know that we are not alone and that the struggle is common and that the death of our students will not be in vain. While we are all saddened by the loss of our students, we know that the campaign and struggle against World Bank/IMF program in Papua New Guinea must continue as it provides the only hope for a better future for the people of Papua New Guinea. We know the World Bank/IMF program cannot solve the problems in Papua New Guinea as it has failed to improve the lives of our people even though the country has been subjected to these programs since 1991. Nothing has improved since. We know too that while we are acting at local level to counter the take-over and domination of our lives by the World Bank/IMF, our struggle and campaign is the same campaign being waged all over the world by those of you, who like us, are opposed to the take over and domination of our world by multi national and transnational corporations. We therefore call on you, all our friends and comrades to continue the anti-globalisation struggle as it is the only way to build a better future for our common world. To effectively support us in our campaign and struggle we call on you all to continue the campaign and acts of solidarity and to demand that the Australia Government undertake the following actions: 1. Apologise and offer condolence for the death of the students. 2. Suspend its technical and financial support to the Royal Papua New Guinea Police until there have been very serious steps undertaken to stop the brutality and killings committed by the Police Force. All funds provided to assist the Police in PNG should be diverted to fund and support community initiatives to prevent crime and rehabilitate criminals. 3. Insist that a Royal Commission of Inquiry is held into the death of the four students. (A coronial inquest will be inadequate in the circumstance.) 4. End, suspend or otherwise slow down the implementation of the structural Adjustment Program in Papua New Guinea, especially the Privatisation Program. 5. Increase funding to health and education in Papua New Guinea, including university education. 6. That AusAid seriously engages members of the Anti-Privatisation Alliance and the civil society generally to address issues of development, crime, poverty and other social/economic issues in Papua New Guinea. With warm regards and solidarity, Powes Parkop, General Secretary MELANESIAN SOLIDARITY GROUP For Justice & Dignity, PO Box 71, UNIVERSITY, NCD, Papua New Guinea Phone: (675) 3261227 Facsimile (675) 3230887. www.iww.org Capitalism is like a dead fish in the moonlight - it glitters but it stinks! -- 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: Seminar: Count Me In!
The New International Bookshop Co-operative invites you to a seminar presented by Judy Esmond Count Me In! How to involve people in progressive organisations for the long-haul Monday 16th July 6pm for 6.30pm start (sharp) finishing at 7.30pm New International Bookshop cnr Victoria and Lygon Sts, Carlton South (enter Victoria St) This seminar is directed at people who want to improve the effectiveness of the groups they are in, or would like to join (covering environmental action, solidarity lobbying, progressive media and other). More effective organisation means more effective lobbying or action. Judy will cover the 6 Rs of recruiting members and supporters - of course, this means how to effectively retain them too! Amongst other things, Judy will cover: · the messages you send to potential members and supporters; · building effective networks; · responding to the changing social and political climate; and · building a better support base than ever before. Judy Esmond is eminently qualified to talk on these issues. She has just released a new book Count Me In! which specifically focuses on volunteers and their role. Judy conducts workshops on rewarding, recognizing and retaining members and supporters, developing community based partnerships, building and managing dynamic teams, handling and conquering stress, effective communication and conflict resolution skills. For more information about the full-day workshops about volunteering that Judy is running in Melbourne on July 17th and 18th, visit http://www.mtd4u.com/. Door prize - a copy of Judy's book. Ring 9662-3744 for more information. See other events at http://www.nibs.org.au/wednites.htm New International Bookshop Co-operative Promoting discussion of critical issues with critical thinkers -- 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: Green Left Weekly Support Dinner
Help raise funds and have fun at the same time! At your Green Left Weekly dinner. 3 course meal with drinks, chats and music. With the most monopolised media in the world Australia needs as much alternative news it can get! Papers like Green Left, Radio stations like 3CR, and channels like Channel 31, etc etc are a must if we are to get out and influence people to a anti-corporate thinking and action. Come along! GLW DINNER "We have a world to win celebration & dinner" July 21, Sat 7pm $25/ $15/ $12 high school @ Flemington Community Centre 25 Alexander Rd (tram 59 from the city) -- 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: Women in Prison: Benefit Gig
Press Release Press Release Press Release Press Release Advocacy Program for Women In Prison Benefit Gig Women inside prison have little effective access to the information and resources they need in relation to their imprisonment and post release needs such as housing, employment, social welfare, legal rights and access to children. The Advocacy Program for Women Prisoners is a non-profit, non-government funded program that provides pre and post release advocacy and support for women prisoners in Victoria. Currently the program is run by approximately 12 women activists who volunteer their time and energy to provide resources and advocacy to women inside. However, the Advocacy Program desperately needs funds in order to stay alive. In order to raise funds the Advocacy Program is holding a benefit gig on Saturday, 21st July at 8pm at: Bar 303, High Street Northcote Bands included: Git (little bit of country from Melbounres finest trio) Milk (divine harmonies, lush melodies and rich textures) Women (rhythm and blues) featuring Monica Weightman, Kate Hosking and Mia Dyson and heaps more come along and show your support Tickets cost $10 and $6 and any donations to the program will also gratefully be accepted on the night or by contacting Cherry or Jiselle For More Information contact Cherry: 0412 487 779 or Jiselle 0403 278 610 -- 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: SA Conference
SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE CONFERENCE: Ideas for FIGHTING CAPITALISM Friday 17 August & Saturday 18 August: Two days of discussion and debate about the way forward for the anti-capitalist movement: Starting with the mass demonstrations that shutdown the World Trade Organisation's meeting in Seattle a new anti-capitalist movement has exploded onto the streets all around the world. But how are we going to build on the inspiring successes of S11 and M1? How are we going to reach out to the mass of workers? This conference will focus on the political debates, the strategy and tactics needed to take the anti-capitalist movement forward. Because this is far from being the first anti-capitalist movement in history we can learn important lessons for today by looking at the successes and failures of previous revolutionary movements. That's why one of the themes of this conference will be a series of talks on the politics of previous anti-capitalist movements. * direct action versus non-violence * the lessons of the sixties revolt * could a revolution happen in Australia =B7 and heaps more Friday 7.30 pm at Trades Hall: Fighting Back in the USA: Katherine Dwyer, American socialist's eyewitness account of the new radicalism: mass mobilisations in Seattle and Quebec, Cincinnati riots, pro-choice movement campaign against the death penalty Justine Clark will speak on preparations for the mass mobilisation against CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) Sandra Bloodworth on S11 to M1 to CHOGM: assessment of the anti-capitalist movement in Australia and where to next. entry: $2 (unwaged), $6 (low wage), $10 (high wage) Saturday 10.00am to 6.00pm: Talks on: #The first anti-capitalist movement The Chartists, active in Britain in the 1840s, were the world's first mass radical working class movement. They debated out many of the issues familiar to us today - the use of "force" vs "moral persuasion", and the centrality of mass, centralised mobilisations. Many of the aspects of today's movement that are touted as "new" were features of this very first anti-capitalist movement eg street theatre, colourful displays etc - the point being that any movement involving the mass of people will bring to the surface creative ideas about how to get its message across. #The first international revolutionary movement This talk will look at the history of the First International - the first international working class movement of which Karl Marx was a key leader. It will focus on the experience of the first workers' revolution: the Paris Commune of 1871 from which Marx drew the conclusion that workers had to smash the capitalist state. #Australia on the brink of revolution The Federation celebrations have painted a depressingly one-sided picture of a century of mindless flag-waving. But there is also a history of revolt and this talk focuses on the mass upheavals, many lead and organised by socialists, in Australia in the 1890s. The similarities with today will be surprising and inspirational, and point to lessons we can learn today. #How do revolutions spread? This session will look at the international nature of revolutions focusing on the revolutionary upheaval that swept Europe and much of the rest of the world in the aftermath of World War I. #The Sixties Revolt For years we've seen the activism of the sixties trivialised as a lot of posturing and dope smoking to a commercially available sound track. We'll look in this talk at the true diversity of the movement: the fantastic role students played in the rebellion in France, Italy, Mexico=85 And at the historically forgotten sheer scale of working class action from Paris May 68 to Australia as a pointer to the possibilities this time around. Plus #Why we support the Palestinians #The two souls of socialism Some say (or used to) that socialism could be introduced by parliament or looked to Russia, China, Vietnam and Cuba as socialist. We don't - we stand with those who say socialism can only be won by mass struggles led by the working class. #What Kind of Organisation is SA Building? Cost for whole conference: $5 (unwaged), $14 (low wage), $20 (high wage) cost for Saturday only:$$, $10, $15 to register, reply via email, or ring 9421 4439, or send name & address with money to PO Box 4202, Richmond East, 3121. -- 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: Launch of O3 to CHOGM Alliance
Join the S11, M1 and all anti-corporate activist in the launch of our latest project, the mass protest and blockade of the Commonwealth Business Forum on October 3-5. Date of Launch: Friday, August 10, 7.30pm Old Coucil Chambers, Trades Hall, corner Lygon and Victoria Streets. Speakers from the environment, anti-corporate, student, trade union and feminist movment will discuss the impact of corporate globalisation and need to oppose the agenda of the business elite. The Commonwealth Business Forum plays an essential role in setting economic policy for the Commonwealth Heads of Goverment Meetings and to pressure Third World countries into undemocratic trade deals. for further information on the launch and how you can get involved with the O3 alliance call: 9639 8622 or 9421 4439 cancel Third World debt! boycott the next WTO trade round! stop GATS! -- 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:URL: Octaves Beyond Silence Project CD
G'day! For the interest of those who want to suppport the Revolutionary Association of Women of Afghanistan activists (and listen to some good "world" music of resistance in these bleak days of State violence, global Capitalism's excesses and women hating fundamentalists). see http://www.octavesbeyondsilence.com/ you can send check or money order for $17.99 to Octaves Beyond Silence, PO Box 5207 Takoma Park MD 20913. Credit card orders phone 1-800-634-6044 or visit www.ladyslipper.org Ladyslipper Music is a woman owned & run label. Revolutionary Association of Women of Afghanistan url: http://www.rawa.org or email them [EMAIL PROTECTED] Smash the triple yoke: Capitalism, Patriarchy & the State (& keep a smile on yer lips & a song in your heart!) Margaret www.iww.org An organisation flirting with any degree of inequality shall miss its goal by as many degrees as the inequality it entertains. -- 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: soc party public meeting
A brief history of the Australian working class Socialist Party Public Meeting All welcome Tuesday 24th July 7pm Trades Hall cnr Lygon and Victoria Sts, Carlton South Phone (03) 9639 9122 for more information -- 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
