Protest against uranium for Toro AGM

Anti-uranium activists staged an action at the Perth headquarters of mining company Toro to coincide with its November 28 annual general meeting in Adelaide.

The company is trying to build WA's first uranium mine (Wiluna) against the wishes of the majority of West Australians.

Activists gave the company a practical demonstration about how hard it is to clean up after a nuclear accident by attempting to clean up yellow cake in the company office.

The company said that the action was an act of intimidation whereas the reality is that it is the company and the state and federal governments that are trying to foist their agenda onto the people of WA.

[Photos and video supplied by Footprints for Peace.]

Trial adjourned for protester

Solidarity protest outside court, November 28, 2012

An important trial dealing with the right to protest was adjourned on November 28 after it went longer than the one day scheduled for the hearing.

Perth activist Kamala Emanuel was charged with refusing to obey a police direction to leave a legal and peaceful protest against gas "fracking" in April.

The police direction (in the form of a "move-on notice") was issued as council rangers tried to seize banners, placards and stall tables which they claimed were violating by-laws. This attempted repression sparked a free speech campaign in Perth which was victorious when council rangers stopped harassing protest actions.

Emanuel's move-on notice was issued using the false pretext that she was being disorderly. The defence is arguing that the move-on notice was invalid.

Kamala Emanuel

A victory for Emanuel in this current case would confirm the earlier success of the free speech campaign and would also be a blow to the rampant use of move-on notices by police.

Twenty people joined a protest outside the court on the morning of the trial. Most participants were members of one or more of No Fracking Way, Refugee Rights Action Network, Socialist Alliance and Socialist Alternative.

During the hearing, representatives of the Nyoongar Tent Embassy attended to show solidarity with Emanuel.

The trial has been adjourned until January 24. A solidarity protest will take place on the morning of that court appearance as well.

[Photos and article by Alex Bainbridge for Green Left Weekly.]

Louise Pratt: Blood on your hands

Perth action in solidarity with Iranian hunger striker Omid who is facing death due to the Australian government's refusal to grant his modest demands to be treated like a human being and to have his asylum application processed in Australia.

This light pole is largely responsible for what little media coverage the action got (except Green Left of course). The light pole fell over during a storm that happened the same day outside Louise Pratt's office. Media turned up for the light pole but not a hunger striker nearing death for no reason other than he is a refugee unfairly sent to the Nauru detention centre.

The action was organised by Refugee Rights Action Network and took place outside ALP senator Louise Pratt's office. Pratt used to be a member of Labor for Refugees but hasn't spoken up very loudly against the current incarnation of the Pacific "Solution".

Video from Equal Marriage rally

More photos and brief story here.

Perth rallies for Gaza

Up to 200 people rallied for Gaza in Perth city on November 25. The demonstration was organised by Friends of Palestine WA.

The rally adopted the following demands:

As a matter of urgency, we call upon the Australian government to:

• unreservedly condemn Israel's attacks on targets across Gaza, including schools, homes, government buildings, media centres, electricity transformers, and other infrastructure
• use any and all diplomatic means required to ensure Israel cannot renew its assault on Gaza
• propose that Israel be forced to pay war reparations
• demand the immediate and unconditional lifting of the siege of Gaza
• suspend all economic, diplomatic and military ties with the state of Israel until it complies with international law and accedes to a just settlement with the people of Palestine

Perth Equal Marriage Rally - 24 Nov 2012

Between three and four hundred people marched through the streets of Perth on November 24 in the latest rally for marriage equality.

Speakers noted that recent votes in federal parliament had not resulted in equal marriage rights in Australia yet, however, internationally and locally the momentum is building.

Local politicians Lynn MacLaren (Greens) and John Hyde (ALP) both congratulated protesters but advocated votes for their own parties as the way to ensure marriage equality is won. By contrast, Equal Love WA representatives put the emphasis on continued mobilisations to pressure the government for change.

OutInPerth.com also has a range of photos and reports from the rally.

Socialist Alliance supports equal marriage and has members actively involved in the Equal Marriage campaign.

Forum after the Gaza rally

Post-Gaza rally forum

Understanding the "Palestine-Israel conflict":
How freedom for Palestine can be won!

Why does Israel attack again and again? What is Zionism? Can this conflict ever end?

These questions and more will be taken up at this forum after the Gaza rally.

3pm, Sunday 25 Nov

Perth Activist Centre
15/5 Aberdeen St, Perth (next to McIver station)

Attend on Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/464297893611864

Hosted by Socialist Alliance and Resistance

Ph 9218 9608, 0413 976 638

Defend the Right to Protest: Drop the charges against Kamala Emanuel

Perth activist and women’s health doctor, Kamala Emanuel, faces court on November 28 for her role in a protest against gas “fracking” in April. (Video here.)

Council rangers tried to shut down the protest claiming that holding a banner was against their by-laws. Emanuel received a move-on notice by police and has been charged with not obeying a police direction to stop taking part in a legal, peaceful protest.

Join the solidarity protest:

9am, Wed 28 Nov

Perth Magistrate's Court (501 Hay Street, Perth)

Attend on Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/357431201018815

Ph 0413 976 638 for more info.

More info: Defend the right to protest: drop the charges on Kamala Emanuel

DOWNLOAD: A4 poster (PDF)

DOWNLOAD: A6x4 flyers (PDF)

Rally for Gaza: Stop Israel's military assault

Friends of Palestine WA has called an emergency rally to stop Israel's military assault on Gaza

Sun 25 Nov

1pm, Murray Street Mall, Perth City (outside Perth Underground Station)

Attend on Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/348497328579572

FOPWA will also be holding an emergency planning meeting for this rally on: 6:30pm, Tuesday 20 November, CitiPlace Community Centre (Perth train station concourse level). Please come along to have input into planning this event.

Israel has once again attacked the population of Gaza. Bombs have been dropped on Gaza killing more than 80 people, including children.

The Israeli military is now determined to engage in a large scale offensive against the Palestinians. If Israel is not stopped, these most recent Israeli attacks could escalate to the same scale as the Gaza massacre of 2008/9.

Supporters of Palestinian rights cannot just stand by and watch this happen! We saw what Israel is capable of in the last Gaza massacre. Over 1400 Palestinians were killed as Israel used weapons – including illegal chemical weapons – against civilians. This must not happen again!

Come to the protest in solidarity with Gaza next Sunday. Take a public stand against Israel, and condemn the Australian government for unconditionally supporting them during this latest atrocity!

This rally was called by FOPWA at the emergency speakout in solidarity with Gaza onthe evening of Friday, November 16th.

DOWNLOAD: A4 PDF poster

DOWNLOAD: A5x2 PDF leaflets

Solidarity for Gaza in Perth

Seventy five people took part in an emergency solidarity action for Gaza called at 24 hours notice on November 16.

Speakers highlighted that this was an aggressive action by Israel - which is the occupying power - and the excuses given for the attack don't stack up to scrutiny.

Children - including 11 month old baby Omar - were among the first victims of Israel's "surgical strikes" against "militants".

At the end of the demonstration, people voted to organise a solidarity rally on Sunday 25 November, 1pm in the Murray Street Mall, Perth City.

Emergency solidarity action for Gaza

Friends of Palestine has called an emergency action in solidarity with the people of Gaza and in opposition to the military assault on that besieged strip of land:

Friday 16 November

5:30pm, Murray Street Mall
(outside Perth Underground Station), Perth City

Attend on Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/416825695049703

GLW: Gaza activist: 'Israel has declared war, act now'

Israel has launched a fresh full-scale war on the besieged people of Gaza. As well as assassinating a Hamas spokesperson (and publicly threatening all Hamas representatives), more than 10 people had been killed by November 15. The dead reportedly includes Omar, an 11-month-old baby whose father works for BBC Arabic.

Disturbingly, the Israeli Defense Force is "live tweeting" its murderous assault.

Green Left Weekly's Patrick Harrison and Peter Boyle spoke to Shamikh Badra, a Gaza-based activist with the left-wing Palestine People's Party who recently toured Australia, about Israel's latest killing spree. The interview took place on the morning of November 15, Sydney time.

* * *

What is the situation like in Gaza Strip? Are the attacks taking place across the whole area?

Over the past 48 hours, the Israeli army has escalated their aerial and ground attacks against the Gaza Strip. More than 10 people have been killed so far in the Israeli operation named “Pillar of Defence” within the last seven hours, including countless children such as seven-year-old child Ranan Arafat and an 11-month old baby. More than 50 others, including six women and 12 children, have been wounded.

Four of these deaths and 38 of the injuries, some of them serious, resulted from an Israeli attack in the al-Shoja’iya neighbourhood east of Gaza City which occurred on Sunday.

We’ve seen charred bodies of dead and injured children pouring in to Al Shifa hospital of Gaza City and the other depleted hospitals around the Gaza Strip. There have been at least 50 air strikes all over the Gaza Strip so far. Deafening explosions shook us all as bombs landed close to us in the streets near the Universities -- the windows of my house were broken as a result of Israeli bombing.

Huge explosions are landing all around us in Gaza City now as I write, some entire families have been injured. All the infrastructure of Gaza is coming under attack at this point -- power, water, roads, houses, farms and civilians. We can also hear the shelling of Israeli Gunships. There has been announcements of possible Israeli land invasion very soon. READ MORE

Perth solidarity with Nauru refugees

Video from the Refugee Rights Action Network protest in solidarity with Nauru refugees.

Features speeches by Victoria Martin-Iverson and Phil Chilton.

After protesting outside the Perth office of the Department of Immigration (DIAC), protesters proceeded to the nearby bridge over the freeway where numerous trucks and cars below honked horns in support.

Some recent updates from Freo Councillor Sam Wainwright

Sam Wainwright: Fremantle Councillor and
Socialist Alliance member

Reclaim the Night boosts campaign against domestic and family violence:
freoreport.net/node/134

Cappucino Strip: Remove the buses or the cars?
freoreport.net/node/135

Port Authority scare campaign over wind farms
freoreport.net/node/136

Speaking at Occupy: Where's the money going to come from?
freoreport.net/node/130

Mr Buswell: Show some respect - fund Warrawee
freoreport.net/node/133

Banning begging: unfair and unworkable
freoreport.net/node/132

Free speech not so free at NDU
freoreport.net/node/131

Friends of Palestine boycotts Veolia

The article on the left is the report from the Perth Voice about the Friends of Palestine WA (FOPWA) action on Saturday October 27.

FOPWA is calling on the WA government to cancel contracts with Veolia because of its relationship with Apartheid Israel.

Veolia runs CAT buses and other parts of the Perth bus service through a  subsidiary called "Southern Coast Transit".

Veolia also runs transport services to illegal settlements in occupied Palestine. These services reinforce the process of building and maintaining these settlements which violate Palestinian rights (as well as international law). These Veolia run services have also discriminated against Palestinians in terms of access and employment.

[See below a letter by Friends of Palestine WA member Alex Bainbridge to the Perth Voice in response to the article.]

Thanks for reporting the Friends of Palestine campaign calling on the state government to cancel contracts with Veolia. It is Veolia which runs parts of the bus system in Perth (via a subsidiary) and which is complicit in human rights abuses in occupied Palestine.

Public Transport Authority spokesperson David Hynes responded by saying the PTA has a good relationship with Veolia which generates "high level[s] of satisfaction".

This is reminiscent of the supporters of Italian Fascism who praised Mussolini for having the trains run on time.

Perth people care about human rights and we should not be using taxpayers money to prop up the profits of a company that benefits from Israeli Apartheid and the illegal occupation of Palestine.

Finally, it is worth pointing out that John Hyde is incorrect to accuse the BDS movement of "anti-Semitism".

The BDS movement is entirely devoted to pressuring Israel to comply with international law and to stop discriminating against Palestinians.

There is nothing anti-Jewish about supporting human rights.

Support the Nauru Hunger Strikers: Thurs 8 Nov

Latest message from Asyulm Seekers on Nauru (9pm, Mon 5 November 2012):

300 ASYLUM SEEKERS IN NAURU ON HUNGER STRIKE

Today dated 5/11/2012, we all asylum seekers in Nauru Hell are on hunger strikes, today is our 5th day of hunger strike, and this is very clear from our hunger strike that in which conditions we are.

We want the attention of the people of Australia to know about our bad conditions and to make a voice against this inhumanity. The conditions here we have, we are living here in crowded tents in a hot and humid temperature of 42 Celsius without having any fans and A/C for unknown time. In this modern period nobody wana keep domestic animals in such worst environment.

We come to peaceful Australia because, we were not safe and we were confined to a limited area in our home land but again we are facing the same problem.

Till now no body is asking about our hunger strike, day by day number of collapsing asylum seeker is increasing. Today 15 more asylum seekers collapsed on the 5th day of hunger strike, till now 70 asylum seekers have been collapsed.

We are requesting to lower and the people of Australia to make voice for the humanity and us to save our lives and future because in this wild environment asylum seekers are attempting suicides, hurting themselves and now we have started hunger strike.

Show your support for justice for refugees by joining the protest on:

Thursday 8 November
12:30pm, Department of Immigration and Citizenship
836 Wellington Street, West Perth

In particular, show your support for the demands of the hunger strikers on Nauru:

1) The most important appeal is that if Australian Government should have attention to our cases and take us back to Australia.

2) We request the Australia Government to visits us and see us in bad condition of our lives.

3) Close the Nauru detention center.

4) We accept Australia as a democratic country, where people are being treated equally and as a human being, we expect the same treatment.

For more details and more ways to help, contact Refugee Rights Action Network

See also: VIDEO: Nauru hunger striker speaks out for freedom

and: Despairing refugees protest, self-harm on Nauru

and: Refugees say Salvos wrong about Nauru

Refugees in Nauru call for freedom

[Statement released by refugees on Nauru 3 November 2012]

Asylum seekers Nauru

To whom it may concern

The government of Australia and human rights

There is a big difference between criminal and asylum seekers, but the Australian does not take care of the difference between asylums seekers of Nauru camp, Darwin and curtain camp, are treated differently.

As a human being in this critical condition, we are not being given the fair treatment , which affect us physically and mentally. This bitter reality torture us 24 hours means all days. In our home land we were in a danger of being tortured physically, but here we are facing mental tortured which are effecting us mentally.

All these sorrowful information have been provided to world through telephone, mails and email but haven’t been given any response.

Today we all got together to declare that we will continue our gathering until getting our rights. The following are our demands.

1) The most important appeal is that if Australian Government should have attention to our cases and take us back to Australia.

2) We request the Australia Government to visits us and see us in bad condition of our lives.

3) Close the Nauru detention center.

4) We accept Australia as a democratic country, where people are being treated equally and as a human being, we expect the same treatment.

At last we want to thanks people who help us …

Green Left TV video interview with a Nauru refugee 1 November 2012

Education for Socialists

Preparation for Socialist Alliance meeting 21 Nov 2012

Reading
The article below is a suggested reading in preparation for this meeting. It is still worth attending the meeting, even if you don't have time to read the article. A video presentation (18 minutes) of similar content is available below.

A 'workers government' as a step towards socialism By John Riddell
links.org.au/node/2683



Supplementary reading
This is reading if you're extra keen

The Comintern's unknown decision on workers' governments
links.org.au/node/2451

Workers governments and socialist strategy - a discussion
links.org.au/node/2700

Latin Fiesta for Cuba

A hot Latin Fiesta to celebrate the night away part of the Fremantle Festival.

Join us and dance to the rhythms of SON LATINO.

Learn your dance steps with Dance Instructor Liliana Sputore.

Cheap drinks and food on sale.

Tickets on sale now. $25 pre sale, $30 at the door if available.
ACFS/Workers club members $20.

7:30pm Sat 3 November
Fremantle Workers Club, 9 Henry Street, Freo

Buy on-line: heatseeker.oztix.com.au/?Event=30479

Book by Email: acfsperth@gmail.com or call 0419812872

For more information visit: www.acfs-perth.blogspot.com


Everyone is welcome. Organised by the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society

Rally for Marriage Equality: Sat Nov 24

The next rally for marriage equality will be on:

Saturday 24 Nov

1pm, Stirling Gardens
(also known as Supreme Court Gardens)
corner Barrack St & St Georges Terrace

Organised by Equal Love

Attend on Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/388085491257077