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Public meeting
Refugees from Sri Lanka:
Occupation & resistance in Tamil Eelam
Tuesday, June 26, 6:30pm (meal from 6pm). Resistance Centre, Level 5, 407 Swanston St, City (opposite RMIT).
The majority of the refugees who are sitting in limbo facing a lifetime
of detention because of negative security assessments by ASIO are
Tamils from Sri Lanka. They are being persecuted for seeking asylum, but
also because the Tamil people, like the East Timorese, were engaged in a
struggle for self-determination. Tamils in Australia are often hounded
by ASIO if they have any connection to the movement for a Free Tamil
Eelam.
Speakers: Sabesan Sanmugam (Tamil Coordinating Committee public officer & 3CR Tamil Voice program producer); Chris Slee (co-author of The Tamil Freedom Struggle in Sri Lanka & Socialist Alliance member); Rob Stary
(lawyer for three Tamils accused of terrorism for raising tsunami
relief money for the Tamil areas in Sri Lanka). Organised by Socialist
Alliance. For more info ph 9639 8622 or 0413 377 978.
Until Sunday, July 1
Theatre: Tying Knots. A romantic
comedy with a political twist about two deeply committed, same-sex
Melbourne couples who live together and are best friends. They want for
nothing except the legal right to marry. They decide to marry
each-others each other to get around the legal problem. Wed, Sun 6.30pm |
Thu, Fri, Sat 8.30pm. Running time: 65 minutes. La Mama Theatre, 205
Faraday Street, Carlton. $25/$15. To book visit La Mama.
Until Saturday, July 21
Theatre: National Interest. No parent
should have to bury their child. But Mrs Stewart couldn't even attend
the burial. When her son Tony, a 21-year-old Melbourne sound recordist
with Channel 7, was murdered with four others in Balibo, East Timor,
many questions were left unanswered. So will a new inquiry (more than 30
years after the fact) bring answers, or just stir up memories best left
forgotten? Based on the shocking true story of the Balibo Five, National Interest is a powerful account of the injustice felt by the families left behind. To book visit MTC.
Wednesday, June 20-Friday, June 22
Theatre: The Tragic Suicide of Professor Walter Benjamin, the Well-Known Academic Psychologist.
Actor, singer, and struggling human being David is blown down the path
of autobiography whilst looking back into the future of history. The
literary critic and cultural philosopher Walter Benjamin jostles with
journalist, poet and communist Bartlett Adamson as David delves into a
cluttered life. A highly crafted montage in drama, monologue, poetry and
song. Who do I think I am? Trailer at Tragic.
Written, devised & performed by David Adamson. 7pm each night (plus
special 2pm matinee, Friday, June 22). Deakin University Burwood,
Building P, 1.28 (Ground Fl) (enter Burwood Hwy, Deakin Entrance #1).
Performances free. To book ph 9251 7720. Parking (in white bays) free in
the evenings.
Wednesday, June 20
Rally: Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights.
For too long the government trampled and stood over our human rights.
How often do they need to hold their secret meetings to make decisions
that will affect us? How many more taxes need to be put up or brought in
until they realize they are a reason the economic system is failing?
There are many things we would like to ask the government, so come down,
jump on the megaphone, chalk or even leave some sticky notes on the
front door. 10am. State Parliament, cnr Spring & Bourke Sts, City.
Public meeting: Refugee Week 2012: A talk by the authors of The Rugmaker of Mazar-e-Sharif.
The film traces the extraordinary journey of Najaf Mazari. A shepherd
boy from the mountains of Afghanistan, Najaf became a rugmaker of genius
but was forced to flee his homeland under the onslaught of the Taliban.
Arriving in Australia he rebuilt his life and rescued his family from a
Pakistani refugee camp. Co-authors Najaf Mazari and Robert Hillman will
discuss their acclaimed book as part of Refugee Week 2012 celebrations.
Presented by Moreland City Council and the Moreland Multicultural and
Settlement Services Network. 11am-12:30pm. Coburg Library, cnr Victoria
& Louisa Sts, Coburg. For more info ph Nelum Buddhadasa 9240 1225 or
visit Refugee Week.
Public meeting: Why TAFE matters. Will
set out the case for TAFE and the power it has to change people's
lives. It will hear from students past and present and from teachers and
campaign leaders. 12:30pm. Town Hall, cnr Collins & Swanston St,
City. There will be limited seating at this event, which is not a rally.
If you wish to attend, please email Ann Dettenberg to reserve your place.
Public meeting: Free voices: Freedom of expression in a time of complacency.
What does it mean to have restraints on freedom of expression? What
does it mean to be a writer and reader in a human rights framework? Speaker: Antony Lowenstein, co-editor of Left Turn & author of The Blogging Revolution. 6:30pm. Old Council Chambers, Trades Hall, cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton South. Presented by PEN Free Voices.
Film screening: The Battle of Chile: Part 1 'The Insurrection of the Bourgeoisie'
Run time 96 minutes. (Parts 2 & 3 will be screened in September.)
7pm. LASNET space, Trades Hall basement, cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts,
Carlton South. For more info ph 0425 539 149 or 0414 970 418. Organised
by LASNET.
Thursday, June 21
Rally: Bring back the bike budget.
Thousands of Victorian bike riders will jam the steps of parliament
later this month to condemn the Baillieu government's decision to cut
funding for bike infrastructure to zero. Bike riders of all ages and
abilities from across the political spectrum are planning to send the
loudest and clearest possible message to Baillieu that bike funding must
be reinstated. 7:30am. Victorian Parliament steps. For more info visit Bicycle Network.
Protest: Gina Rinehart goes to Rio! Protest against Australia pushing 'sustainable mining' at Rio+20.
Mining magnates Gina Rinehart and Clive Palmer have their fingerprints
all over the Australian government submission to the second UN Rio Earth
Summit. The meeting of world leaders from June 20-22 in Brazil is
supposed to be 'a chance to move away from business-as-usual' and create
sustainable solutions to the world's most serious environmental
problems. But you'll never guess what the government's answer to the
environmental problems caused by mining is: why, more mining of course!
12 noon. State Library, cnr La Trobe & Swanston Sts, City. Organised
by Friends of the Earth.
Public meeting: Refugees week: sharing stories. Please join us for a free screening of Payback Time,
a short film by Stella Smith about one man's experiences as an asylum
seeker in Australia's detention centres. Followed by Q & A. Guest speaker:
Halima Mouhamad (from African women's sewing enterprise). Live music
performed by Motu. 12-3pm. Terrain Room, Telford Building, Victoria
Univesity, Nicholson Street Campus, cnr Nicholson & Buckley Sts,
Footscray. Free Ethiopian cuisine from recommended restaurant by Matt
Preston from masterchef. Gold coin donation appreciated. Proceeds to the
African women's sewing enterprise. For more info ph Kaz Hayes on 0432
524 919 or email Kaz.
Public meeting: Refugees week: The Rugmaker of Mazar-e Sharif.
This wonderful tale of hope and survival tells Najaf Mazari's story of
fleeing from Afghanistan after being captured, then escaping from the
Taliban. Finding his way to Australia he was held at the Woomera
detention centre before being released into the community to begin a new
life. A remarkable story of courage and inspiration presented to mark
Refugee Week. 6pm soup & rolls, 6:30pm author talk with Najaf.
Altona Library, 123 Queen Street, Altona. For bookings ph 1300 462 562
or visit Refugee Week.
Public meeting: Intervention. On the
five-year anniversary of the NT Intervention and at the beginning of a
decade of so-called Stronger Futures, speakers will discuss the scope of
the Intervention, what has happened on the ground, and how the
Intervention relates to neo-liberal governance and Australia's settler
colonial heritage. What are the ways forward? Speakers: Garry
Foley (chairperson) plus Jon Altman (ANU Centre for Aboriginal Economic
Policy Research); Rosalie Kunoth-Monks (Alyawarr/Anmatyerr Elder and
ex-mayor of Barkly Shire, from Utopia, now a prescribed area under the
NT Intervention; Alastair Nicholson (former chief justice of the Family
Court of Australia); Barbara Shaw (descendant of the Kaytetye, Arrernte,
Warlpiri and Warumungu people, from Mount Nancy Town Camp, now a
prescribed area under the NT Intervention). RSVP by June 19 to Glenise
on 9416 0232. Entry by gold coin donation. 6pm. Arena Project Space, 2
Kerr St, Fitzroy. Presented by Arena Magazine and Arena Journal. For more info ph Alison Caddick 0418 304 500.
Public meeting: Turnout: Mobilising your base. Demonstrating people power is often key to winning change. So how do you get people to turn up? Speaker:
Cindy O'Connor, union campaigner, will present on the Your Rights At
Work campaign, known for huge rallies and widespread support. This is a
Melbourne Campaigner's Network event. MCN holds regular gatherings for
campaigners, activists, and organisers to network, discuss ideas and
discover new approaches to social change. 6pm. The Wheeler Centre, 176
Little Lonsdale St, City. Entry by donation (suggested donation $10).
Register at Turnout. For more info ph 0421 508 446.
Public meeting: Left turn. In the
Australian election of 2010, hundreds of thousands of voters chose not
to cast a ballot. A new book of essays, edited by guest speakers Jeff
Sparrow & Antony Loewenstein, and aimed at engaging the many, many
Australians disillusioned with the political process, asks writers and
thinkers who openly identify with the left to explore why. 6:15pm. The
Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale St, City. For more info visit Wheeler Centre.
Public meeting: Campaign for Women’s Reproductive Rights organising meeting.
Hear news about the Western Australian government's plan to bring
'personhood' legislation to Australia. This follows attempts in the US
by ultra-right-wing legislators to give an embryo full legal rights as a
person. Also help CWRR further plans for an all-out rally in October to
defend abortion rights in Victoria. 6:30pm. Solidarity Salon, 580
Sydney Road, Brunswick.
Thursday, June 21-Sunday, June 24
Comedy: Binge Thinking. People no
longer read books, still invest in the stock market and live on junk
food. Evolution is going backwards. We're getting dumber. Xavier Toby
asks why. 7pm (6pm Sunday). The Butterfly Club, 204 Bank St, South
Melbourne. For more info & tickets visit Butterfly Club.
Friday, June 22
Public meeting: Rhyme, rhythm & rock: Echoes of the Middle East.
Join our host, comedian Nazeem Hussain, to hear the contemporary voices
of Australian youth inspired by their Middle Eastern heritage. An
evening of humour, music and entertainment, featuring The Amazing Race
contestant Mohammed El-leissy, hiphop group The Brothahood, Poetry Slam
2010 state champion Nour Abouzeid, and sounds courtesy of DJ Ides.
Afterwards you can visit the Love and Devotion: From Persia and Beyond
exhibition until the extended closing time of 10:30pm. 7-9:30pm.
Experimedia, Main entry, State Library, Swanston St. To book visit Rhyme, rhythm & rock or ph 8664 7099.
Saturday, June 23
Rally: Defend the Fertility Control Clinic.
While anti-abortion forces work to recriminalise abortion in Victoria
and bring 'personhood' legislation to Australia, they continue to target
clinics. In Sydney, they set up an anti-abortion clinic, which they
call 'Pregnant Alternatives', opposite the Pre-Term clinic. Around the
world, abortion providers have always borne the brunt of unrelenting
attacks on women's right to choose. The Fertility Control Clinic
continues to rely on reproductive rights activists to prevent 60-70
anti-abortion zealots from standing at its front gate. Join the defence.
10am. Fertility Control Clinic, 118 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne
(between Powlett & Simpson Sts). For more info ph 9388 0062.
Rally: Walk together. During Refugee
Week we are inviting everyone who is a part of the Australian community
to walk together in recognition that although we've all arrived here via
different pathways we share a common Australian journey. It's time to
walk together into a future where diversity is celebrated, fear is
replaced with welcome & where everyone belongs. 1pm. Parliament
House, cnr Spring & Bourke Sts, City. Walk to Piazza Italia in
Argyle Square, Lygon St, Carlton.
Resistance meeting: Marxism, post-modernism and philosophy.
Join Resistance Melbourne for this branch meeting and educational.
Since Marx and Engels' day, many theories have been devised to discredit
distort Marxism. Where do socialists stand on the issue of philosophy?
Can it be useful in our day-to-day political dealings? Are theories such
as post-modernism and post-structuralism being taught on university
campuses a hinderance to engaging new young activists in the struggle
for socialism? Also on the agenda are an executive election, report on
Green Left TV, report on our young workers zine and discussion on the
upcoming Resistance National Conference. After the meeting we will be
leafleting outside a Gloria Jeans coffee house in the CBD to protest the
huge donations which they have provided to the homophobic Australian
Christian Lobby. 2:30pm. Resistance Centre, Level 5, 407 Swanston St,
City (opposite RMIT). Organised by Resistance & Socialist Alliance.
Public meeting: Lizards' Revenge nonviolent direct action training & legal briefing.
Are you heading to the Lizards Revenge festival? Have you not
participated in civil disobedience/non violent direct action and want a
bit of an idea of the basics? Have you done actions before but want to
learn more, find out South Australian legal info, or maybe find some
folks to work with in an affinity group? Want to know some tips about
staying as safe as possible, dealing with conflict if the police get
tricky? We are planning on an interactive workshop to cover a bunch of
this stuff to help prep people before you go. Open to all folks who
would like to learn a bit more about civil disobedience and action
planning. Please BYO lunch to share. 10:30am-4:30pm. Trades Hall, 54
Victoria St, Carlton South (look for signs to room). Entry byy donation.
For more info ph 0422 990 040 or email Lizards Revenge.
Saturday, June 23-Sunday, June 24
New International Bookshop: Big Red Book Fair.
We invite you to our annual Big Red Book Fair: the weekend that the
Bookshop takes over the Trades Hall with many tables of books at really
communistic prices. Bookshop currently accepting donations of books.
11am-4:30 pm. New International Bookshop, Trades Hall, 54 Victoria St,
Carlton South. For more info email NIBS.
Sunday, June 24
Rally: Worldwide day of solidarity with Quebec students.
In Québec there have been people demonstrating every day for over four
months now. They are fighting for a fair education system but more
broadly against the media and the government attempts to restrain their
legitimate activity with riot cops, fake opinion polls and an
unconstitutional 'special law'. Let's protest with pots and pans. We'll
make some noise to push Australian authorities to put pressure on Jean
Charest's totalitarian government. Remember that the campaign to stop
the TAFE cuts in Victoria is directly linked to their struggle: students
are the future, the hope for a better world. 2pm. Parliament steps, cnr
Spring & Bourke Sts, City.
Monday, June 25
Seminar: The Australia-Philippines Military Agreement: Why the Philippines peoples movement is against it.
The status of the Visiting Forces Agreement is a military agreement
between Australia and the Philippines signed in near secret in Canberra
in May 2007. It allows for Australian troop activity on Philippine soil
and provides them special exemption and immunity from being prosecuted
and convicted under Philippine law even for criminal activities, such as
human rights violations and rape. There is a rush to ratify it in the
Philippine Senate, as a part of a realignment of US military power in
the Asia-Pacific region. The Philippine progressive movement is opposed
to the agreement and is seeking Australian people's solidarity to
support its campaign. Speakers: Sonny Melencio (Partido Lakas ng
Masa, Phillipines) and Reihana Mohideen (Transform Asia) 1pm. Venue TBA
(University of Melbourne).
Public meeting: Through the Understandascope.
Join Professor Frank Fisher, Australia's Inaugural Environmental
Educator of the Year in 2007, for a lively dialogue with friends
exploring some of the key ideas he has developed over three decades of
pioneering environmental education. Late last year Frank was diagnosed
with a malignant brain tumour and given months to live. This special
presentation will be filmed as part of a documentary on his life and his
thinking. The event will also celebrate the launch of The
Understandascope, a new centre for sustainability thinking and practice
based on Frank's work. Guest presenters: James Tonson (Global
Greens); Kate Auty (Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability); Fran
Macdonald (Environmental Editing). With music by Rivers in the Streets.
6pm. BMW Edge Theatre, Federation Square, cnr Flinders & Swanstson
Sts, City. RSVP by June 20 at Frank Fisher.
Tuesday, June 26
Rally: Protest the Australian Christian Lobby.
The ACL is at the forefront of the push to maintain homophobic
discrimination in Australia. They are outspoken opponents of marriage
equality and shameless promoters or bigotry in all its forms. On June 26
they will be holding a public forum against marriage equality, which
will be broadcast into churches across Australia. Equal Love is calling
on all equal rights supporters to be there to protest and send a clear
message that the ACL's views are those of a sad, bigoted minority. We
need to show that equality is popular, and it's about time the
government recognised this. 6:15pm. CrossCulture Church of Christ, 333
Swanston St, City.
Public meeting: Refugees from Sri Lanka: Occupation & resistance in Tamil Eelam.
The majority of the refugees who are sitting in limbo facing a lifetime
of detention because of negative security assessments by ASIO are
Tamils from Sri Lanka. They are being persecuted for seeking asylum, but
also because the Tamil people, like the East Timorese, were engaged in a
struggle for self-determination. Tamils in Australia are often hounded
by ASIO, if they have any connection to the movement for a Free Tamil
Eelam. Speakers: Sabesan Sanmugam (Tamil Coordinating Committee
public officer & 3CR Tamil Voice program producer); Chris Slee
(co-author of The Tamil Freedom Struggle in Sri Lanka &
Socialist Alliance member); Rob Stary (lawyer for three Tamils accused
of terrorism for raising tsunami relief money for the Tamil areas in Sri
Lanka). 6:30pm (meal from 6pm). Resistance Centre, Level 5, 407
Swanston St, City (opposite RMIT). Organised by Socialist Alliance. For
more info ph 9639 8622 or 0413 377 978.
Public meeting: Manufacturing: Vital for Australia's green future. Speakers:
Andrew Dettmer (Qld state secretary, AMWU, president of the Qld ALP
& chair of the Manufacturing Skills Qld Advisory Committee); Michele
O'Neil (national & Victorian/Qld state secretary of the TCFUA, a
director of Manufacturing Skills Australia, and member of the Prime
Minister's Taskforce on Manufacturing and of the Victorian Industry
Manufacturing Council); Matthew Wright (executive Director of Beyond
Zero Emissions). 7pm. Meeting Room 1, Trades Hall, cnr Victoria &
Lygon Sts, Carlton South. $10/$5. Presented by The New International
Bookshop & The Search Foundation. For more info ph 9662 3744 or
email NIBS.
Wednesday, June 27
Public meeting: Occupy Melbourne reflects.
Some of us have lent our voices in the streets, others have lent a hand
or donated what they could, and millions of Melbournians have witnessed
Occupy Melbourne. Whoever you are and however you've been involved, you
are welcome to attend this special event to reflect upon the last eight
months of Melbourne's part in what has become one of the most
significant social movements in the world today. 5:30pm. Gopals
Vegetarian Restaurant, 139 Swanston St, City. Join friends for dinner at
5:30pm; proceedings will run from 6-9pm. Food, drinks and dessert are
available to be purchased on the evening at affordable rates (roughly
$7-$10 per meal). Gopals generously donated food to our community
kitchens, have kindly provided this space and request only that
attendees please respect their no alcohol policy. The event will be
facilitated by an expert facilitator from the Melbourne Campaigners
Network and we ask kindly that participants make a donation for this
service.
Public meeting: Muckaty anti-nuke report back.
Hear from Muckaty traditional owners about their inspirational campaign
to protect country and culture from Martin Ferguson's plan to use their
land as a nuclear waste dump. 6:30pm. Friends of the Earth, 312 Smith
St, Collingwood. Organised by Friends of the Earth's Anti-nuclear
& Clean Energy (ACE) Campaign.
Public meeting: Campaign Against the Tafe Cuts organising meeting.
This meeting is for people who are either TAFE teachers or students,
and any community supporters, who want to talk about how we can organise
to resist the cuts that are about to hit the TAFE system. 6:30pm.
Trades Hall, 54 Victoria St, Carlton South.
Public meeting: Lighter Footprints Climate Action Group monthly meeting. Forum on the potential for community renewable energy projects and the approach of the 100% renewables campaign for big solar. Speakers:
Richard Johnston (Energy Matters) & Danae Bolger (100% Renewables).
7pm (for 7:30pm start). Guide Hall, Faversham Rd, Canterbury. Gold coin
donation. For more info ph 9836 0925 or 0411 115 186.
Campaign launch: At Arm's Length. Art.
New stuff from young people. Arms. No more weapons for atrocities.
Attention. Even for those with a short attention span. At Arm's Length
is a storytelling chain responding to the stories of those affected by
the arms trade. Join us for the launch. Featuring new work from
Melbourne artists: Kirsti Whalen (spoken word); Harley Hefford (video);
Aimee Rytenskild (visual); Flo Dacy-Cole (installation). 7pm. Loop, 23
Meyers Place, City. Organised by ARTillery human rights arts festival.
ARTillery is run entirely by volunteers in association with Amnesty
International and aims to raise awareness and action around human rights
issues through the arts. This year, ARTillery is focused on Amnesty’s
Arms Trade Treaty Campaign, and forms part of Amnesty’s 100 days of
activism from March 23–June 30.
Thursday, June 28
Campaign briefing: Farmland not gasland. Alliance building and new environmental campaigning in rural Victoria. Starts with an informal wander around the Commons and introduction from manager Megan McCormack. Speakers: Aidan Ricketts (community campaigner & author of the Activists Handbook,
who will talk about the CSG Free campaign in northern NSW); Cam Walker
(FoE campaigns co-ordinator, on the campaign to date); Shaun Murray,
(Quit Coal campaign, on the campaign against new coal at Bacchus Marsh).
6pm (for 6:15pm start; finish by 7:30pm). In the hall at FoE's South
Melbourne Commons community sustainability hub, cnr Bank & Montague
Sts, South Melbourne. Please RSVP by Monday, June 25 to Cam Walker.
Rally: No new coal. Rally to show
opposition to new coal projects, including a brown coal export industry,
which would triple Victoria's contribution to greenhouse gas pollution.
Prime farmland, like Bacchus Marsh on the outskirts of Melbourne, is
under threat from this reckless plan, using experimental technology to
dry and export brown coal. At the same time, the federal and state
governments are still offering the coal company HRL $150 million of
taxpayers money to build a new coal-fired power station in Victoria.
Stop the stupidity, join us for a day of action. 12:30pm. Parliament
House, cnr Spring & Bourke Sts, City.
Solidarity film screening: Operation 8: Deep in the Forest.
Free the Urewera Four Maori sovereignty activists! On October 15th
2007, more than 300 cops carried out dawn raids on Tuhoe land and on
homes across New Zealand/Aotearoa. Police make the ludicrous claim that
the raids were in response to 'concrete terrorist threats' from
Indigenous activists. Last month, four activists were sentenced on
firearms charges. Come to a special screening of this compelling
documentary and show your support for the international campaign to free
these political prisoners. While the film is local in focus, the issues
raised in Operation 8, using terror laws to silence dissent are
global. 7pm (meal from 6:30pm). Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Rd,
Brunswick. Hosted by the Freedom Socialist Party. For more information
ph 9388 0062.
Saturday, June 30
Ross House campaign training day: Effective action for environmental and social justice.
Get skilled up for maximum effect at the Ross House training day with
back-to-back workshops. Each 90-minute workshop is $10 with all proceeds
going back into the program. Hear from long-term campaigners with years
of experience and excellent skills to share. Workshop facilitators: Holly Hammond (director of Plan to Win); Tim Norton (Digital Campaigns Coordinator, Oxfam); Nicola Paris (The Last Stand);
Shaun Murray (Friends of the Earth); Danya Jacobs (Lawyers for
Forests); Sarah Harmer (counselor and women's advocate); Aidan Ricketts
(lecturer, School of Law & Justice, Southern Cross University,
author of The Activists' Handbook). Bookings essential. Places limited. To book visit Ross House or ph 9650 1599.
Rally: In solidarity with Indigenous & popular organisations in Honduras.
No more killings, USA out, militaries out. Stop the continued political
killings, human rights violations and environmental exploitation that
has been driven by an internationally coordinated military coup since
June 28, 2009. Honduras is now seen as the 'murder capital' of the world
and in the past month there has been a surge in the number of political
assassinations. 11am. GPO, cnr Bourke & Elizabeth Sts, City.
Practical activist skills day. An event for
young activists to learn some key practical skills to use in our
campaign work: public speaking, chairing/facilitating meetings,
distributing the socialist press, building events and activities and
more. 1pm. Resistance Centre, Level 5, 407 Swanston St, City (opposite
RMIT). Organised by Resistance & Socialist Alliance.
Public meeting: Ogaden youth & cultural day.
The Somali people in the Ogaden region face daily brutality under the
yoke of Ethiopia's oppressive government. In celebration of their
resilience under such hardship, the Ogaden Youth & Students Union
and the Ogaden community in Victoria invite you to a night of culture
& entertainment. In this festive atmosphere, the struggles of the
Somali people in the Ogaden will be translated through poetry,
traditional dance, video screenings & speeches. 3:30-9pm. Fitzroy
Town Hall, 201 Napier St, Fitzroy. Entry free. For more info ph A. Nasir
0413 207 985 or Laylo 0423 674 009.
Sunday, July 1
Rally: The rally of 1000 for Syria. Condemning crimes against humanity.
'You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you
do not say when you are supposed to say' (Martin Luther King). 11am.
State Library, 328 Swanston St, City.
Rally: Defend Julian Assange. It is
time for the Australian people to take to the streets and ensure Julian
Assange does not end up in the hands of the US government! Let's tell
our government it is time to protect our own citizens. Julian Assange
recently lost his appeal to the UK Supreme Court, which now means he
will be extradited to Sweden for questioning. From Sweden he can be more
easily extradited to the USA under a temporary surrender regime that is
included in the US-Swedish bilateral agreement. This dangerous EAW
extradition to Sweden has been upheld despite Julian not being charged
with any crime in any country. The United Kingdom government could
intervene to stop this extradition being carried out, as they did in the
case of the war criminal Pinochet. The Australian government could
apply much more pressure to bring Julian Assange home and yet they have
been belligerently silent on the fate of an Australian citizen and
award-winning journalist. RAP NEWSand other acts will perform
live in support of Assange as well as a great list of speakers. 12 noon.
Assemble State Library, 328 Swanston St, City; then march to City
Square.
Monday, July 2
Public meeting: Re-powering Port Augusta report.
At this critical time for South Australian energy policy, Beyond Zero
Emissions has released the long-awaited Repowering Port Augusta report.
This report presents the compelling economic and environmental case for
why Port Augusta's ageing coal-fired power stations should be replaced
with concentrating solar thermal power. 6:30pm. Fritz Loewe Theatre
(entry via level 2), McCoy Building, University of Melbourne, cnr Elgin
& Swanston Sts, Carlton. Entry by gold coin donation. For more info
visit BZE.
Tuesday, July 3
Film screening: Plasticized. In a few
places around the globe, individuals are beginning to change their
mindset of how we see and use 'disposable' plastics, especially
single-use plastics such as grocery bags, water bottles, and coffee
lids. Preview at Plasticized.
Meet the film-maker after the screening. 6pm. Ross House, 247 Flinders
Lane, City. Entry by donation. All proceeds go towards environmental and
social justice groups and campaigns. Ross House presents The Big
Picture, films for environmental and social justice on the first
Thursday of the month. For more info ph 9650 1599 or visit The Big Picture.
Tuesday, July 3-Friday, July 20
Road trip: Road trip for change.
Adelaide => Students of Sustainability (Bendigo) => Point Lowly
(desal plant) => Olympic Dam 'Lizard's Revenge' => Adelaide. There
are options to join in part of the trip. For more info visit Road trip for change.
Wednesday, July 4
Rally against Baillieu's anti-worker construction code.
The new state government construction code, to apply from July 1, is
all about attacking unions. It forces companies to prove they are
following Liberal Party anti-union policies like: Rewriting EBAs to
promote labour hire and 'all-in' sham contracting; restricting entry of
union officials to sites; removing union logos from work-issue clothing;
limiting the freedom of union reps, and much more. Failure to comply on
all sites will see builders thrown off the government tender list. The
Libs will spend $7 million enforcing the code, including a hefty salary
for ex-ABCC commissioner Nigel Hadgkiss. The code does nothing to
improve safety, employ more apprentices or support local manufacturing
jobs.The state government needs to focus on saving Victorian jobs and
getting new construction projects going, not another anti-union drive.
11am. Meet at Trades Hall. For more info visit Rally against Bailleu's anti-worker construction code.
Public meeting: The role of water economics in food security.
Water resources are under increasing pressure, due to world's growing
population and economy, mainly in terms of increased food consumption.
One measure to cope with limited water availability and growing demand
in a country is to import grains and hence water. By importing grains
countries become dependent on other countries and on world market
prices. Because of its heavy dependence on the world grain market,
importing countries are vulnerable to rising global food prices and
export bans. Affluent countries like Saudi Arabia, South Korea, China
and India have therefore descended on fertile plains across Africa,
acquiring huge areas of land to produce food for consumption back home.
As agriculture is by far the largest user of water, the increased food
trade has a huge impact on the regional demand for water. Insight into
the value of water (i.e. productivity of water) is important when making
decisions about the reallocation of water among regions, sectors, and
generations. Speaker: Professor Petra Hellegers. 5:30pm. Theatre B, Room 129 (ground floor), Old Arts (Blg 149), University of Melbourne, Parkville.
Friday, July 6
Rally: NAIDOC march 2012. The theme
for NAIDOC Week 2012 is 'Spirit of the Tent Embassy: 40 years on. They
dared to challenge.' This year's theme celebrates the champions who
lived to renew the spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples through the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in
1972. 10am. Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, 186 Nicholson St,
Fitzroy.
Wednesday, July 11
Public meeting: ASIO assessments: Leaving refugees in limbo. Speakers: Julian Burnside (barrister, author, human rights & refugee advocate) & Niromi de Soyza (author of Tamil Tigress);
Harvey Stern (president, Labor for Refugees); Declan Murphy (Refugee
Action Collective). 6:30pm. The Multicultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth st,
City. Organised by Refugee Action Collective.
Film screening: Clean Bin. Is it
possible to live completely waste free? In this multi-award winning,
festival favourite, partners Jen and Grant go head to head in a
competition to see who can swear off consumerism and produce the least
garbage. Their light-hearted competition is set against a darker
examination of the problem of waste. Film trailer at Clean Bin.
7pm. CERES Environment Park, cnr Roberts & Stewart Sts, Brunswick
East. Run time 76 min. Discussion & tea available after the film.
$10. Tickets are limited to 50, so first in, first served. There should
be enough seats to go around but please bring a cushion in case it packs
out. To book, visit Bookings.
Saturday, July 14
Roxby Downs, South Australia Rally: The Lizards Revenge. Music & art festival.
Response to the governments decision to expand Olympic Dam mine.
Sleeping underneath the ground there is an old sleepy lizard, Kalta. The
lizard ain't so sleepy anymore. BHP is mining right into that lizards
body. The government has just approved an expansion of the Olympic Dam
uranium mine, making it the biggest uranium mine in the world. Kalta is
angry and wants revenge. Arabana elder Kevin Buzzacott is calling the
people of the world to help the lizard shut down the mine. For more info
email Izzy.
Tuesday, July 17
Public meeting: Vandana Shiva's 'Making Peace with the Earth'.
For three decades radical scientist and ecofeminist, Vandana Shiva,
winner of the 2010 Sydney Peace Prize, has been promoting an ecological
path of harmony, sustainability and diversity as a means to survival and
liberation. For one night in Melbourne, join Vandana Shiva to celebrate
the release of her new book, Making Peace with the Earth. 6:30pm
(for 7pm start). The Barn, Montsalvat, Hillcrest Ave, Eltham. $10
(includes chai and samosas). Bookings essential. To book ph 9439 8700 or
email Eltham Bookshop. Presented by Eltham bookshop, Montsalvat & Spinifex Press.
Friday, July 20-Sunday, July 22
Adelaide Conference: Resistance National Conference 2012. A time of revolution! International guest speakers:
Shamikh Badra (student and youth activist with the Palestinian People's
Party); Jayse Gardiner (Mana Party, NZ); Guillaume (Quebecois student,
member of CLASSE, the main organisation representing Quebec's striking
students). University of Adelaide, Union House. For more info ph 0437
714 786 or visit Resistance.
Saturday, July 21
Public meeting: BZE presents: The path to zero emissions.
Peter Castaldo from Beyond Zero Emissions will explain the plans to
develop a blueprint for an Australia that emits zero carbon, all within
10 years. 1:30pm. Rosanna Library, 72 Turner Street, Rosanna. For more
info ph Yarra Plenty Regional Library 9459 6171.
Public meeting: Black July 83: Remembering silenced voices.
Tamils of Victoria have organised an event to remember the thousands of
Tamil civilians killed in a Sri Lankan government sponsored pogrom in
July 1983. In just six days Sinhala mobs supported by police and troops
attacked Tamils in the island's south, killing over 4000 and driving the
survivors into camps before they were deported to the northeast of the
island, thereby ethnically cleansing the capital Colombo and other parts
of the south. Every year, for 29 years, the Tamil people and our
friends across the world have come together in July to remember this
crucial turning point in our history. 6:30pm. St. Jude's Church Hall, 50
George St, Scoresby.
Friday, July 27-Sunday, July 29
Conference: Ideas to change the world.
A weekend of ideas to challenge capitalism. Over the last year we have
seen and been involved in vastly different struggles taking on the
system. The world rose as one to Occupy and the Arab spring rocked the
very foundations of the system. This is not enough; we need sustained
action against the government and bosses threatening our lives. Trades
Hall, cnr Victoria & Lygon Sts, Carlton. Full program TBA. Please
note there will be free child care and food available throughout the
conference. Presented by Renegade Activists Action Force (RAAF). For
more info email RAAF or ph 0422 743 573.
Tuesday, July 31
Public meeting: Education: Equality or gold-plated privilege?
7pm. Meeting Room 1, Trades Hall, cnr Victoria & Lygon Sts, Carlton
South. $10/$5. Presented by The New International Bookshop & The
Search Foundation. For more info, ph 9662 3744 or email NIBS.
Saturday, August 4
Melbourne anarchist bookfair. Stalls of book
sellers and activist groups will be accompanied by workshops and
skillshares on the ideas of anarchism and how they relate to climate
justice, radical education, justice for refugees, and much more.
10am-6pm. Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford. For full
program & more info visit Melbourne anarchist bookfair.
Saturday, August 11
Rally: Stop Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. 2012 Winter Action.
31st anniversary of the death of Eddie Murray in Wee Waa (June 12); 5th
anniversary of an all white jury acquitting Chris Hurley (June 20);
27th anniversary of the suspicious prison death of Douglas Scott (July
5); 2nd anniversary of the gagging of Lex Wotton when released on bail
(July 19); 25th anniversary of Bob Hawke's announcement of the
establishment of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
(August 10). 11am. Old GPO, cnr Bourke & Elizabeth Sts, City.
Rally: Equal Love rally and mid-winter vows. 1pm. State Library, cnr Swanston & La Trobe Sts, City.
Thursday, June 21
Shepparton Ilbijerri Theatre Company: Body Armour.
Specifically designed to raise awareness of Hepatitis C in the
Indigenous community and beyond, the story follows the journey of three
teenagers as they experiment with at-risk activities such as piercing,
tattooing and blood sharing. 4pm. Wesley Hall, UnitingCare Cutting Edge,
136 Maude St, Shepparton. Entry free. RSVP is a must for
seating/catering purposes: please contact Dom on 03 5831 6157 or email Dom to confirm your attendance.
Wednesday, July 4-Sunday July 8
Bendigo Conference: Students of Sustainability 2012.
A five-day camping conference full of inspiring workshops, forums,
tours, discussions with students, activists, Indigenous groups,
academics, environmentalists, and communities from around Australia.
It's an awesome opportunity to meet like-minded people, to share
knowledge and skills related to current environmental and social justice
issues and have lots of fun. Bendigo Campus, La Trobe Uni, Bendigo.
Subsidised tickets are available for those who need them. For more info
visit SOS.
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 visit
Quit Coal or call Shaun 0402 337 077.
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.
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.
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. 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. WSN
meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 6.30pm at 52 Victoria
Street, Carlton (the CEPU building next to Trades Hall). For more info
visit WSN.
Geelong Refugee Advocacy Group. Refugee
Advocacy Group meets every second Friday, 4:30pm, upstairs, Socialist
Alliance office in Geelong Trades Hall. All welcome. Planning for a
speakout against mandatory detention at 5pm on June 15. Also planning a
contingent to leave Geelong on the train to attend World Refugee Day in
Melbourne on June 17.
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Wednesday, 20 June 2012
GreenLeft Calendar 2012-06-20
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