Wednesday 17 July 2013

Green Left Weekly Activist Calendar - 2013-07-17

Green Left Weekly Activist CalendarJuly 17, 2013

Film screening
Nuclear nation
Friday, July 19, 7pm. Village Roadshow Theatrette, State Library of Victoria, La Trobe st, City.Documentary about the exile of Futaba's residents, the region housing the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Since the 1960s, Futaba had been promised prosperity with tax breaks and major subsidies to compensate for the presence of the power plant. The town's people have now lost their homeland. Through their agonies and frustrations, the film questions the real cost of capitalism and nuclear energy. Trailer at Nuclear nation. 7pm (doors 6:30pm). $15/$12 (tickets at door). Organised by ACF & Japanese for Japanese for Peace.

Rally
End the blame game! Rally for welfare rights
Saturday, August 3, 11:30am. Coburg mall, cnr Sydney Rd & Victoria St, Coburg. Join Margarita Windisch, Socialist Alliance candidate for Wills, and a range of other speakers to defend welfare rights. For more info ph 9639 8622 or 0400 320 602.

Public meeting
Julian Assange live video link
Thursday, August 8, 7pm. Fitzroy Town Hall, 201 Napier St, Fitzroy. Truth-telling criminalised by our government & suppressed by our media. Speakers: Julian Assange, with WikiLeaks Party candidate (TBA); Bill Deller (3CR Radio Solidarity Breakfast show). $20/$10/$5 (3CR subscribers). Presented by WikiLeaks & 3CR Radio's Solidarity Breakfast Show. For more info ph 9419 8377.

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This is the regular Melbourne activist calendar compiled by Green Left Weekly. Emailed to subscribers each Wednesday fortnight, it is a one-stop listing of the main left and progressive events in Melbourne and Geelong.
Since it began in early 1991, Green Left Weekly has offered an indispensable alternative to the lies of the big-business media and has helped build the various movements for social change. To subscribe toGreen Left Weekly, visit our secure online website for rates and payment at Green Left Weekly or call our national hotline on 1800 634 206.
You can also contact us at the Resistance Centre, 5th floor, 407 Swanston St, City; ph 9639 8622. In Geelong we are at the Activist Centre, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St (opening hours: Mon 2-4.30pm, Fri 10am-4.30pm); ph 5222 6900.
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Other coming events

Thursday, July 18
Film screening: Gippsland is Precious. Plus other short films about unconventional gas mining including and the latest news on the frontline of Gippsland communities from Ursula and Chloe. And of course, a discussion on how to get involved in the campaign. 7pm. Presented by Quit Coal. Friends of the Earth, 312 Smith St, Collingwood. Gold coin donation. Free Popcorn & cheap beer provided.
Friday, July 19
Film screening: Nuclear nation. A documentary about the exile of Futaba's residents, the region housing the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Since the 1960s, Futaba had been promised prosperity with tax breaks and major subsidies to compensate for the presence of the power plant. The town's people have now lost their homeland. Through their agonies and frustrations, the film questions the real cost of capitalism and nuclear energy. Trailer at Nuclear nation. 7pm (doors 6:30pm). Village Roadshow Theatrette, State Library of Victoria, La Trobe st, City. $15/$12 (tickets at door). Organised by ACF & Japanese for Japanese for Peace.
Rally: Speakout for Palestine: Don't buy Israeli apartheid. The Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid in Melbourne will be demanding justice and human rights for the Palestinian people and raising awareness about the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, which was initiated in 2005 by Palestinian civil society, including more than 171 Palestinian organisations, political parties, trade unions, associations, coalitions. 5:30pm. Bourke St Mall, cnr Swanston & Bourke Sts, City.
Saturday, July 20
Rally: International day of action against multinationals. Demand Indigenous and workers' rights! Stop the plunder of our planet! 2pm. State Library, 328 Swanston St, City. Organised by LASNET. For other actions visit Multinationals out!.
Film screening: Migrante (the Filipino diaspora). Philippines-Australia Cultural Interaction Network is proud to present this special screening. Against the backdrop of rising expectations of the new government, this film revisits the universe of the land of their birth in search of the greener pastures in foreign, often hostile, climes. In the Middle East, Frida and Andy grapple with their floundering marriage as they get caught in the life-and-death swirl of the phenomenon called the Overseas Filipino Workers. 2pm. Bella Union, Trades Hall, cnr Victoria & Lygon Sts, Carlton South. To book visit Bella Union.
Sunday, July 21
Public meeting: The Conch plays for Cuba, celebrating Cuba's national day. Conch is 10-piece band playing a dynamic mix of ska, reggae, Latin, funk, hip hop & swing. 2pm. MUA hall, 46-54 Ireland St, West Melbourne. Nibbles & drinks at bar prices. $20/$10 (all proceeds go to projects for Cuba). Organised by Australia-Cuba Friendship Society. To book ph Maree 9478 9473.
Monday, July 22
Public meeting: Against multinationals. Demand Indigenous and workers' rights! Stop the plunder of our planet! 6:30pm. Trades Hall, cnr Victoria & Lygon Sts, Carlton South. Organised by LASNET.
Thursday, July 25
Public meeting: America's pacific push. MAPW with the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network is organising this meeting with visiting activists Victoria-Lola Leon Guerrero (from Guam) and Bruce Gagnon (US campaigner against the militarisation of space). Victoria will speak about the US military build-up in Guam, and Bruce will discuss Pacific implications of changing US strategy and the 'pivot' to Asia and the Pacific. 6:30pm. Meeting Room 1, Trades Hall, cnr Victoria & Lygon Sts, Carlton South.
Friday, July 26
Rally: Welcome refugees, not Mark Dreyfus. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus is providing the first keynote address at the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law's annual conference. Dreyfus' responsibilities include overseeing the arbitrary indefinite detention of 52 refugees designated by ASIO as 'security threats' without right of appeal. He also fully supports as a senior cabinet minister in the federal Rudd government the 'no advantage' regime that the Castan Centre has criticised as 'mutually incompatible' with Australia’s human rights obligations. 8am. BMW Edge, Federation Square. Organised by Refugee Action Collective.
Concert: The Bart Willoughby Band & Sol Nation. Willoughby's musical career commenced in 1978 and in this period he developed as a distinctive Indigenous Australian musician notable for his pioneering fusion of reggae music with Indigenous Australian influences. Willoughby formed his first band, and Australia's first Indigenous rock band, No Fixed Address, in 1978 although in 1978 and 1979 Willoughby played with Broome composer and musician Jimmy Chi's newly formed band Kuckles. In 1979 No Fixed Address played its first large concert The National Aboriginal Day held at Taperoo, South Australia and over the years has played at numerous concerts for Aboriginal causes including Rock Against Racism, The Artists Newsletter Association, Campaign Against Racial Exploitation and the National Aboriginal Country Music Festivals. 10pm. The Workers Club, 51-55 Gertrude St, Fitzroy.
Saturday, July 27
Public meeting: Commemoration of the July 1983 ethnic violence against the Tamils in Sri Lanka.30 years ago in July 1983 (Black July) a government-sanctioned pogrom in Sri Lanka triggered the exodus of Tamils from that island. This Sri Lankan state sanctioned pogrom saw the killing, torture and rape of thousands of Tamils. Over 3000 Tamils were killed, thousands more were seriously injured and there was large-scale destruction of Tamil property and businesses. Not even one of the perpetrators has been charged or punished for these calculated atrocities. In order to mark the 30th anniversary of the Black July tragedy and to highlight the curent plight of the Tamil peopole and other human rights issues that are still continuing unabated in Sri Lanka, a remembrance meeting has been organised. 4pm. Hungarian Community Centre, 760 Boronia Rd, Vermont.
Film screening: Cultural Flows films premiere. 'We always look for the river' says Aunty Jeanie. She's sitting by the banks of the Murrumbidgee. It's flowing swollen after spring rains. Sun sparkles off the murky water and through the drooping red gum leaves. Aunty Jeanie is a Mutthi Mutthi woman. Her family is part of this place. 'This is my mother's country,' she says, 'and her mothers and…,' she thinks for a moment, 'it goes right back.' Jeanie's story is one of many depicted in a new documentary that explores two Indigenous communities' deep connections to the rivers and waterways in their country. 6:30pm. Northcote Uniting Church, 251 High St, Northcote.
Thursday, August 1
Rally: Stop Abbott, welcome refugees. Action at Liberal Party fundraiser. 6pm. Crown Casino.
Public meeting: Will Potter, author of 'Green Is The New Red', Melbourne speaking event. The author and journalist will be speaking for the first time in Australia this August. Will's work has brought the world's attention to the US government's post-911 repression of environmental and animal rights activists, also known as the Green Scare. Come and see him speak about these issues for the first time in Australia. 7pm. Kindness House, 288 Brunswick st, Fitzroy. Entry by donation. For more info visit Green is the new Red.
Friday, August 2
Fundraiser: 3CR Radiothon. 3CR Community Radio is a unique resource which airs alternative media, providing a voice for the voiceless. 3CR's Doin Time show is a prison broadcast airing every Monday 4-5pm. The show covers prison commentaries, Aboriginal deaths in custody, women in prison and more. The Doin Time show proudly presents: A Radiothon Fundraiser to keep the show on air. Performers: Marisa Sposaro (writer, prison abolition activist and radio broadaster of Doin Time); Penelope Swales (unique Australian singer songwriter and performer); Madeline Hudson (accomplished singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist); Rose Turtle Ertler (talented performer with a focus on singing and ukulele). Doors open 7:30pm. The Barleycorn Hotel, 177 Johnston St, Collingwood. $8/$10 (solidarity). All proceeds go to the Doin Time show.
Saturday, August 3
Rally: End the blame game! Rally for welfare rights. Join Margarita Windisch, Socialist Alliance candidate for Wills, and a range of other speakers to defend welfare rights. 11:30am. Coburg mall, cnr Sydney Rd & Victoria St, Coburg. For more info ph 9639 8622 or 0400 320 602.
Fundraiser: For poet from Sudan, Abdel Moneim Mohamed Rahmatalla & his family. Abdel Moneim is a Sudanese poet, journalist, cultural and Human Rights activist, co-founder of the Sudanese Writers Union, co-founder of Ajras al-Hurriyya (Freedom Bells), a newspaper which was established to be the voice of the people that was shut down by the Sudanese government after considerable harassment and founder of Sudanna, a socio-cultural organisation some of the purposes of which are providing marginalised writers, artists and democratic activists with support. He was arrested by the Sudanese security forces in 2011 and was put through brutal physical and psychological torture. He spent more than a year in prison, being released after an international campaign. Even with his release, Abdel Moneim experienced semi-house arrest. He was not allowed to depart the country nor leave the capital city of Sudan, Khartoum. Moneim wants to come to Australia and settle. 3pm. Trades Hall, cnr Victoria & Lygon Sts, Carlton South. $50/$20. For more info ph Dave Kerin 0412 484 094.
Thursday, August 8
Public meeting: Julian Assange live video link. Truth-telling criminalised by our government & suppressed by our media. Speakers: Julian Assange, with WikiLeaks Party candidate (TBA); Bill Deller (3CR Radio Solidarity Breakfast show). 7pm. Fitzroy Town Hall, 201 Napier St, Fitzroy. $20/$10/$5 (3CR subscribers). Presented by WikiLeaks & 3CR Radio's Solidarity Breakfast Show. For more info ph 9419 8377.
Saturday, August 10
Book fair: Third Annual Melbourne Anarchist Bookfair. In previous years, the Melbourne Anarchist Bookfair was a great success. It attracted hundreds of people from around Australia to share ideas, attend workshops and strengthen networks. Last year we had skill shares and workshops looking at topics such as climate justice, current Greek situation, DIY, Sea Shepherd, introduction to anarchism, workplace struggles, permaculture, indigenous topics, feminism, education, creating community spaces, gender and refugee issues, and much more. 10am-6pm. Abbotsford Convent, St Heliers St, Abbotsford. For more info visitAnarchist Bookfair.
Fundraiser: Farewell South Melbourne Commons. Fundraiser spectacular for Friends of the Earth’s South Melbourne Commons. Please join us for a swing-themed evening which includes delicious cocktail food, drinks, a welcome from Farther Bob Maguire, free swing dance lesson and music by Michael McQuaid's Red Hot Rhythmakers to dance you into the night. The South Melbourne Commons is being forced to shut down, but our vision of the Commons lives on. Come farewell the old address and help secure the new. Beverage by Good Brew Co and Goodwill Wine; cocktail food by Little Piggy. 7pm. South Melbourne Commons, Cnr Bank & Montague Sts, South Melbourne. Tickets are limited: $70 Full; $50 for Friends of the Earth & Commons members & concession (food & beverages included). To book visitCommons.
Tuesday, August 13
Rally: Anniversary of the 'no advantage' policy. Protest for: right to work and welfare rights for asylum seekers, process refugee claims and family visas now, no offshore processing. Speakers: Misha Coleman (Australian Churches refugee taskforce); Trevor Grant (Tamil refugee council). 12:30pm. Dept of Immigration, Casselden Place, cnr Lonsdale & Spring Sts, City. Organised by Refugee Action Collective.
Thursday, August 15
Concert: MDC (Multi-Death Corporation). MDC, aka Millions of Dead Cops aka Multi-Death Corporation aka Millions of Dead Children are credited as one of the most politically vocal American Hardcore Punk bands to come out of the early 1980s and will make their way to Australian shores for the first time ever this August. Over 30 years after their formation, MDC are still full of breakneck, old school, punk rock energy and loaded on furious guitar riffs, singing their anthems for the anarchic, open-minded and disenfranchised. Doors 7:30pm. Northcote Social Club, 301 High St, Northcote. $44. To book visit NSC.
Saturday, August 17
Rally: Equal Love 9th Anniversary Rally. Equal Love's next rally will mark the 9th anniversary since John Howard changed the marriage act to state that marriage shall be strictly 'an institution between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others'. The August rally is four weeks before the federal election and is expected to send a loud and passionate message to both major parties demanding equality. 1pm. State Library, cnr Swanston & La Trobe Sts, City.
Tuesday, August 20
Rally: National Day of Action against higher education cuts. (1) No cuts: To funding, staff or courses. (2) More funding. (3) Education for all: No caps on placements, raise student welfare, reinstate start-up scholarships, more Indigenous graduates, retention and completion, concession cards for International students. 2pm. State Library, cnr Swanston &amp La Trobe Sts, City.
Wednesday, August 21
Public meeting: How can we stop the race to the bottom on refugee policy? The 2013 election sees Abbott and Rudd competing over who can kick refugees the hardest. Abbott wants to 'stop the boats', risking lives by towing boats back to sea. Labor is budgeting $7.5 billion over the next 4 years to detain asylum seekers and implement the failed Howard era policy of offshore processing. Grill the candidates for the federal seat of Melbourne and join the Refugee Action Collective for a discussion on how we can win a genuinely humane policy towards refugees. Speakers: Adam Bandt (Greens); Margarita Windisch (Socialist Alliance); Anthony Main (Socialist Party); Cath Bowtell (ALP); Chris Breen (Refugee Action Collective); a refugee speaker. 6:30pm. Multi-Cultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth St, City. Organised by Refugee Action Collective.
Wednesday, December 4-Saturday, December 13
Venezuela Solidarity Brigade: Participatory democracy, solidarity & socialism. Witness a people's revolution in the making. The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network's 14th solidarity brigade to Venezuela this December is a very special opportunity to observe, learn about and be inspired by the Bolivarian revolution that is transforming Latin America and challenging the greed, exploitation and destructiveness of global capitalism by showing that a better world is possible. For bookings or info visit AVSN.

Geelong & regional Victoria

Friday, July 26
Red Cinema: Mary Meets Mohammad. A documentary film by Heather Kirkpatrick. This film follows the arrival of Tasmania's first detention centre through the eyes of local Christian woman and knitting club member Mary and Muslim Afghan Hazara asylum seeker Mohammad, who is detained inside the centre, as they connect through the gift of a knitted beanie. 7pm. Downstairs, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St, Geelong. Entry by donation. For more info ph 5222 6900.

Campaign committees

Beyond Zero Emissions Melbourne branch meetings. BZE's monthly branch meetings are a way for current and prospective BZE volunteers to meet up, get to know each other and discuss upcoming events such as presentations, stalls, film nights and discussion groups. Meets on the third Monday of every month at Level 2, Kindness House, 288 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. Active and prospective volunteers welcome. For more info email Chitra Perez or ph 0401 087 085.
Friends of the Earth's Anti-Nuclear & Clean Energy (ACE) collective meetings. Wednesdays. FoE office, 312 Smith St, Collingwood. For meeting times & more info email Zin.
Indigenous Social Justice Association. The Indigenous Social Justice Association was established in January 2005 to organise a Melbourne rally and march as part of a National Day of Action to mark the first anniversary of the death of Kamilaroi teenager, TJ Hickey in Redfern, and to demand a fresh inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death. Those organising this held consultations with interested members of the Victorian Aboriginal community. Participants in these consultations enthusiastically supported the proposal for a Melbourne rally to demand justice for TJ but asked that this not be a one-off event but part of an ongoing effort to permanently stop Aboriginal deaths in custody. During 2013, ISJA will meet the first Thursday of every month. For more info visit ISJA.
Melbourne Feminist Action Group. We think it's time to put women's rights back on the public agenda. We've started an open organising group and everyone's invited, from already existing women's rights groups and activist organisations, to women and men who may never have been involved in feminist action in their lives but just want to do something. We want to get together to have that crucial discussion: what can we do, right now, that will give this movement a push? It's open to everyone; anyone who attends can have their say. If you can make it, bring your ideas about what you would like to see happen next. For more info ph 0438 869 790 or email MelbFemAction.
Quit Coal: No New Coal Power for Victoria. A Melbourne-based collective which campaigns against expansion of the coal industry in Victoria. We believe this is important because building new coal infrastructure locks in decades of dirty, old technology, when we should be moving towards clean, renewable energy. Quit Coal meets each Wednesday at 6pm, at FOE, 312 Smith St, Collingwood. For more info visitQuit Coal or email Quit Coal.
Refugee Action Collective (RAC). Established in 2000, RAC is a democratic, grassroots activist collective, representing a broad cross section of the community. It aims to mobilise opposition to Australia's inhuman refugee policies. For more info ph 0413 377 978 or visit RAC.
Victorian Climate Action Calendar. For a comprehensive list of climate action events in our state. The VCAC covers events in Victoria and major events elsewhere and is intended to inform, educate and inspire. To subscribe to the calendar email Monique Decortis. Weekly updates are e-mailed out and online updates are available at VCAC. To add an event to the calendar, please download the Event Template from the website. Feel free to forward the VCAC to other interested people.
Workers Solidarity Network. WSN believes that we, as workers, have the power to improve our working conditions and bring about positive social change. WSN believes that our country is not a real democracy unless we have democratic workplaces where workers have a say. WSN believes that the only way to bring about a fairer share of resources in our society in by forming active unions and community organisations to fight for it. For more info visit WSN.

Resources

Recent articles from Green Left Weekly
To subscribe to Green Left Weekly visit our secure online website for rates and payment at Green Left Weekly or call our national hotline on 1800 634 206. Join us on Facebook. You can also contact us at the Resistance Centre, 5th floor, 407 Swanston St, City; ph 9639 8622. In Geelong: Activist Centre, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St (opening hours: Mon 2-4.30pm, Fri 10am-4.30pm); ph 5222 6900.

Broad, non-sectarian, activist
Socialist Alliance
Socialist Alliance is a proud supporter of the Green Left Weekly project and contributes a regular column. Socialist Alliance is a broad, non-sectarian socialist party, dedicated to bringing together all those who want to resist the capitalist assault on our planet and its people and fight for a socialist society that puts people's needs before business profits. Anyone who agrees with the general approach of our policies is welcome to join and organisations are invited to affiliate. For more information visit Socialist Alliance. Join us on Facebook. See our recent statements:
Get involved
Moreland Socialists
The group is open to anyone (even if you live outside the area) who wants to work constructively to support Socialist Alliance councillor Sue Bolton and use her position to build up a stronger activist left presence in Moreland. In general, we meet monthly and alternate between Coburg and Fawkner. If you want to get involved in the group, email us at Socialist Alliance or phone Sue on 9639 8622 or 0413 377 978. For news and opinion visit Sue's Moreland Report.
Contact Socialist Alliance. Join with other socialists in the struggle. Melbourne: Visit us at the Resistance Centre, 5th floor, 407 Swanston St, City; ph 9639 8622. In Melbourne, Socialist Alliance meets on the first Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm, at the Resistance Centre. Geelong: Activist Centre, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St (opening hours: Mon 2-4:30pm, Fri 10am-4:30pm); ph 5222 6900.

Links: 'socialism for the 21st century'
Links is an online journal which seeks to provide a forum for open and constructive dialogue between active socialists from different political traditions. It seeks to bring together those in the international left who are opposed to neoliberal economic and social policies, and reject the bureaucratic model of 'socialism' that arose in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Inspired by the unfolding socialist revolution in Venezuela, Links is a journal for 'Socialism of the 21st Century' and the discussions and debates flowing from that powerful example of socialist renewal.

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